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No One Learns on an Empty Stomach

by

Walker, Jenny

Author: Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker, Literacy Texas Executive Director

When life is hard, learning is hard.

The adult learners we serve often come to us while carrying the weight of real–life challenges as parents, caregivers, workers, and survivors. When basic needs are unstable, even the most motivated learner struggles to stay focused on education and workforce goals. 

That’s why wraparound support systems are not a luxury. They are essential.

The 100 Families model recognizes the importance of harnessing the power of the community to help people in crisis. Students who are worried about housing, food, transportation, health care, or childcare cannot fully engage in learning. Programs like 100 Families step in to stabilize those foundations so adult learners can do what they came to do: Learn, grow, and move toward economic security. 

This coordinated, community–driven approach brings partners together to work as a team. The learner isn’t treated as a problem to be fixed, but rather as a whole person with strengths, goals, and dignity. 

For adult learning programs, this kind of partnership is transformative, and there’s a sense of urgency in finding creative solutions like 100 Families to support adult learners. Rising costs, workforce shortages, and economic uncertainty are placing even greater strain on adult learners and their families. If we’re serious about workforce development and long–term solutions, we must invest in systems that support the whole learner. 

Programs like 100 Families remind us that success is rarely the result of a single organization working alone. It’s built through relationships, trust, and coordinated care. When adult learners are surrounded by support, they do more than complete a class or earn a credential. They change the trajectory of their lives and, in doing so, strengthen our communities. 

We’re talking about wraparound services throughout January – it’s our theme of the month. Why not join us online for Best of Texas and hear from participants in the 100 Families program about what it’s done for them and their families?

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  • Local and national literacy news
  • Conference updates
  • Regional symposia
  • Best of Texas
  • Advocacy 
  • …more!
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The Heart of Learning: Family Literacy for a Brighter Tomorrow

by

Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker

Author: Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker, Literacy Texas Executive Director

When I have the opportunity to talk with adult learners, I always ask about their “why.” They usually tell me it’s so that they can provide a better life for their children. These men and women are putting in hard work to forge a new pathway for the next generation. I understand that all too well.

During my senior year of high school, I took two dual credit classes at a local community college. The success I found that semester gave me the confidence I needed to believe that maybe I was capable of earning a degree. Maybe my career options did not have to be limited by unstable life circumstances, and maybe my future children would not face the same challenges generational poverty brought my way. Those two simple classes provided the foundation I needed to ultimately earn three degrees, build a beautiful career in education, and provide a stable life that has allowed my children to have opportunities I never imagined.

My daughter, Ryan Kate, graduated last spring as one of 19 students from her high school who simultaneously earned a diploma and an associate’s degree from our local community college – the same college where I took those two classes years ago. She transferred 60 credit hours to a four-year university, and at only 17, she was already halfway through a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.

Watching my daughter walk across that stage with so much confidence was not only a pride point for me as her mother, but it also was significant for me as a first-generation college student. I was proud of her, but I was proud of me too. She is my wildest dream come true, and I pray the adult learners we serve get to have a day like that.

In the daily grind of lesson plans, instruction, and assessments, it’s easy to forget the incredible power of adult literacy. We may see the immediate impact of this work when our students reach their goals, but I believe the biggest mark we could ever make will reveal itself long after we have hung up our teacher hats. Our greatest success will come when the children and grandchildren of our current students reap the benefits of their parents’ success. What an honor we have to open the doors for them!

Our theme throughout November is Family Literacy, and we’re focusing on related topics throughout the month. Find general resources here, and plan to join us at Best of Texas: Family Literacy on November 21.

Get Texas literacy updates

Join our mailing list so you don’t miss any news:

  • Local and national literacy news
  • Conference updates
  • Regional symposia
  • Best of Texas
  • Advocacy 
  • …more!
Click here to join the list

Best of Texas: Family Literacy

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Learn from peers about best practices and innovative ideas being put into action at literacy programs across our great state. Best of Texas aims to bring local experts together to share their wisdom and experience – and maybe help us all avoid a few pitfalls along the way.

Thank you so much for your interest!

This event is now over.

This online panel discussion will be held on:

Thursday, November 21, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM (CT).

The Zoom room will open at 9:50 AM.

Please arrive on time – the Zoom room will close to late arrivals 30 minutes after the session begins.

ABOUT THIS SESSION

We’ll hear from Fran-Victoria Stephens (Story Square) who will share important information about the generational impact of family literacy.

Other guests will include Anjela Martinez and LeeAnn Jennings (Harris County Public Library) to give us a strong understanding about how public libraries are making a difference.  

Guests this month:

Stephens, Fran-Victoria

Fran-Victoria Stephens
Founder & President
Story Square

Fran-Victoria Stephens is a former attorney and journalist who became the Founder and President of Story Square, Inc. – an evidence-based education social enterprise. After the pandemic, when she witnessed firsthand how parents faced the daunting task of serving as their children’s primary resource for education, she decided parents needed to experience the mission and spirit of Story Square on a larger stage. So, in 2022 she expanded the organization’s work and began Story Square’s Lit with Families Texas Family Literacy Festival, which takes place annually at downtown Houston’s Discovery Green.

Fran-Victoria is an impact addict and obsessed with the impact today’s small actions have on enduring change for our future. She is an avid researcher, writer, civil rights and education advocate, lecturer, and a self-proclaimed neoteric. She specializes in building new things. From idea generation, process design, implementation, and then evaluation, she has created lectures, programs, and Story Square with a focus on operationalizing her passion and education in civil rights law. These vehicles that carry out her passion serve her personal mission: to academically open minds and spiritually speak to hearts. Her hope is that her work widens our imaginative capacity to excavate new pathways for equity that lead to a collective, interdependent freedom. 

Martinez, Anjela

Anjela Martinez
Assistant Manager, Youth Services
Harris County Public Library

Anjela Martinez is the Youth Services Assistant Manager at Harris County Public Library. She has over a decade of experience in public libraries and leads system-wide literacy programs like Summer Reading and Growing Readers at HCPL.

Anjela grew up in libraries and understands the importance libraries play in fostering literacy and lifelong learning. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, baking, traveling, and going on adventures with her dog Lobo. 

Jennings, LeeAnn 300px

LeeAnn Jennings
Youth Literacy Services Specialist
Harris County Public Library

LeeAnn Jennings is the Youth Literacy Services Specialist for Harris County Public Library. LeeAnn is a former school teacher who made the switch to public libraries in 2017. She helps coordinates HCPL’s county wide youth literacy programs such as Book Buddies, Tournament of Books, Growing Readers, and the Summer Reading Program.

As someone with dyslexia, LeeAnn was a struggling reader in school until she discovered the mythical “one book” that turned her into an avid reader- and now she helps other children discover their book! LeeAnn enjoys reading, crafting, and playing pretend with her Dungeons and Dragons group.

Host:

Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker

Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker
Executive Director
Literacy Texas

Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker joined Literacy Texas in January 2024, after a successful run as the Executive Director of the Literacy Council of Bowie and Miller Counties, a small non-profit that made a big impact on the Texarkana community during her tenure. Dr. Walker helped the organization find financial stability and expanded innovative academic and workforce program options for adult learners at her center. She and her team launched the first 100 Families Alliance in Texas, and this innovative approach to holistic support for students led to impressive growth in enrollment and goal completion rates for those she serves.

Dr. Walker was a first-generation college student who personally knows the powerful role that education plays in helping change the course of a person’s life. This passion has fueled a career in education that has spanned two decades and impacted thousands of students. She is a certified Texas teacher and principal, and she has worked in both adjunct faculty and staff positions in higher education. She has also led professional development trainings for teachers and administrators and served as a public speaker. She earned a doctorate in education leadership from Texas A&M University–Texarkana, and her dissertation research focused on the importance of holistic support for adult learners. She holds a master’s degree in education administration from Texas A&M University–Texarkana, and she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of North Texas. Dr. Walker also attended Texarkana College and was a graduate of Liberty-Eylau High School. 

This online learning session is offered free of charge to Texas nonprofit professionals who work in the fields of adult and family literacy.

click here to register now

REMINDER: CHECK YOUR SPAM

Every online registration will generate an automated email response with further information. If you don’t see it arrive, please check your junk mail!

Special thanks to:

Fran-Victoria Stephens

Anjela Martinez

LeeAnn Jennings

The Texas Workforce Commission

STAY IN THE KNOW -

click here to go to the literacy texas calendar
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Checked/updated 11/25/24

Families: The Heart of Learning

by

There’s nothing quite like a family. 

And when it comes to learning, there’s nothing that can replace a family connection.

When children see the trusted adults in their lives being curious, learning, exploring, playing with words and discovery and literacy, it accelerates their own learning. It sets them on a path to school success, to reading for both enjoyment and for knowledge, and to lifelong learning.

There are so many ways to champion literacy for families! Here are snapshots of two Texas programs making a difference.

South Texas Literacy Coalition

The South Texas Literacy Coalition works to enhance and enrich the quality of life in their region through community partnerships that lead to more literate communities.

Key activities:

 

Read more about the work of the South Texas Literacy Coalition here.

Story Square

Story Square works with Houston families to champion family learning, using art and music (and much more!) to build language and literacy skills.

Key activities:

Read more about the work of Story Square here.

November is Family Literacy Month. As the month unfolds, celebrate families of all kinds with us – and the many, many ways they can learn together.

Get Texas literacy updates

Join our mailing list so you don’t miss any news:

  • Local and national literacy news
  • Conference updates
  • Regional symposia
  • Best of Texas
  • Advocacy 
  • …more!
Click here to join the list

2024 Literacy Texas Annual Conference

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The Literacy Texas Annual Conference is THE event for educators, nonprofit administrators, and organizations working with literacy in Texas. Learn about the latest research in the literacy field. Rub shoulders with experts and connect with like-minded people. Most importantly, leave with the tools, relationships, and inspiration you need to continue making a difference.

click here for registration & scholarship info

2024 Conference Basics

Monday, July 29 – Arrival, check-in, exhibitor set-up, VIP Reception & Exhibitor Grand Opening
Tuesday, July 30 – Conference Day 1
Wednesday, July 31 – Conference Day 2

The theme of the 2024 conference is “Literacy and Beyond”, and our hashtag is #LitTX24.

find all conference info here