ideas Archives - Literacy Texas

Teaching what the test can’t measure

March 15, 2026 by Jenny Walker

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

Watch someone repair an engine, manage a busy kitchen, or guide a frustrated customer through a problem, and you’ll notice something important:

Technical skills matter, but the real magic often lives in the soft skills (also called fundamental or durability skills).

These subtle superpowers allow us to professionally communicate, solve problems, work well with others on teams, adapt to change, and manage time effectively.

As we prepare adult learners for their next level of education or employment, we must intentionally incorporate these learning objectives into our lessons.

Many adults enter our programs with a clear goal – perhaps to earn a credential, improve reading and writing, qualify for a better job, or advance in their current position. Academic knowledge and training will certainly open doors, but durability skills are what keep those doors open.

Employers consistently report that these fundamental skills matter at least as much as a worker’s ability to perform the technical parts of the job.

Additionally, durability skills also strengthen confidence in the population of learners we serve. When our students can practice explaining an idea clearly, ask thoughtful questions, or work through a challenge with a team, they build a sense of capability. Over time, that confidence becomes momentum, and momentum leads to opportunity.

These skills also support resiliency. Workplaces change quickly, especially where technology is concerned. Roles shift, positions are reorganized, and industries transform. Durability skills help people adapt when inevitable change comes their way. Adult education programs must not only recognize this reality, but they should also strive to weave it into instruction.

By integrating teamwork exercises, workplace communication, and critical thinking into lessons, adult literacy programs will help students have well-rounded instruction as they prepare to navigate their career path. Adult literacy opens the door to knowledge and opportunity, and durability skills help learners walk through the door.

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Best of Texas: Math Literacy & Numeracy

February 17, 2026 by Kathryn Bauchelle

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

QUICK LINKS FOR THIS BEST OF TEXAS EVENT:

Click on any of the links below to go straight to that section, or simply scroll down the page.

Basic details

About this month’s topic

Guests this month

Online registration

PD certificates

Special thanks

BASIC DETAILS

This online session will be held on:

Thursday, April 9, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM (CT).

The Zoom room will open to registered attendees at 9:50 AM.

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

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

ABOUT THIS MONTH'S TOPIC

Math and numeracy are more than equations — they’re tools for work, family, and culture. Adult Education and Family Literacy (AEFL) programs in Texas can strengthen numeracy by connecting it to everyday life and to the deep historical roots of mathematics in diverse communities.

Exploring links between math, technology, and ancient civilizations, this session will demonstrate how cultural narratives can make numeracy more engaging and relevant for learners.

Primary Topic Area

Session will also cover:

Pending

Audience

Level

Texas AEL PD Category

Assigned by TCALL

Pending

See the full Texas AEL Guide.

Other info:

No other info available at this time.

GUESTS THIS MONTH

Dr. Jan Adversario
ESL Instructor
Austin Community College

Dr. Jan Adversario is a per course faculty member at Texas State University and teaches graduate level courses in the Adult, Professional, and Community Education. In addition, he works as an English instructor at Austin Community College.

These teaching experiences combined with his work as a volunteer for several community-based programs inform his academic publications related to civic education, adult literacy development, health literacy, Asian hate crimes, and adult education. His mission is to create more inclusive, equitable, and accessible education for adult learners in different learning environments and the workplace.

Adversario’s scholarly work has been published in prestigious journals such as Adult Learning, New Directions for Adult & Continuing Education, and Dialogues in Social Justice: An Adult Education Journal.

Gareth Wingfield
Project Coordinator
Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy & Learning (TCALL)

Gareth Wingfield has worked in adult education almost his entire life, starting first as a volunteer before entering the field professionally in 2007. He has more than 18 years of experience as a HSE and ESOL instructor, with special interest in math instruction.

He served as the Distance Learning Coordinator for the Literacy Council of Tyler, and now serves as a project coordinator for the Distance Education Professional Development Center.

Host:

Jacqueline Aguilera
Community Liaison & Program Host
Literacy Texas

Jacqueline “Jackie” Aguilera has logged 38 years of diverse experience across educational and non-profit sectors. With a focus on adult literacy, she has left an indelible mark on various initiatives and projects in the multi-layered field of adult literacy.

As an experienced adult education innovations designer, she earned a 2021 Ford Foundation Mujeres Legendarias Award for creative ed tech applications in adult education. Her service impact also extends beyond the classroom into the workforce. She empowers both employers and employees through worksite literacy training and independent consulting. She leads a local fellowship of adult education providers called the Houston Area Adult Literacy Collective (the incredible HAALC), serves on many committees, boards, and projects impacting adult learners and families, and most recently served as Project Manager for Houston’s Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy.

In summary, Jacqueline’s multifaceted career reflects a lifelong dedication to advancing literacy and education across diverse communities and platforms. Currently on a journey through breast cancer treatment, she is more than ever committed to advancing the lives of all those she serves, making her a messenger of inspiration, innovation, and evolution.

FREE ONLINE REGISTRATION

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!

Online registration has now closed – but we have a few spots available for last-minute registrants! Call us on 972-926-3155 to make arrangements.

PD CERTIFICATES

Participants who complete the full session will receive 1 hour of PD credit.

Literacy Texas defines “complete” as:

Be present for at least 90% of the session;
Have your camera on for the entire time you are present.

Certificates of completion will be awarded after the event. Complete the survey after the training is finished to give your details and get your certificate. Surveys will be sent via email after the training, and certificates will be prepared and sent after the survey closes.

Please pay attention to the due dates – after each event is wrapped up, we will not be able to go back and re-issue your PD certificate. If you know you’ll need a certificate at a later date, please take care to request it in a timely manner!

SPECIAL THANKS

[presenter]

[name of any sponsors or other partners – as many as relevant, new line for each]

The Texas Workforce Commission

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This event is now over.

Checked/updated 3/24/2026

The answers were at dinner

February 16, 2026 by Jenny Walker

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

The Literacy Texas Board of Directors recently met for an annual retreat. Because our board members represent several different regions, it’s a rare opportunity for us to all join together in person, and we always look forward to it.

As we often do, several of us met in the hotel restaurant the night before our workshop, to catch up on life. At some point, the conversation shifted to Literacy Texas, and I shared about an obstacle our organization has been struggling with for more than two years.

That’s when our casual chat turned into a think tank that gave me exactly the insight I needed to solve the problem. Being so close to the issue every day made me unable to see it from a different angle, but the fresh perspective they brought made all of the difference.

Later that night, I had a hard time falling asleep. “Why didn’t I think of that?” Giving myself grace has never been my strong suit.

While I was thrilled to finally have a solution to my problem, I was also frustrated with myself for not leaning into the wisdom of my board sooner.

I learned two valuable lessons from this situation.

First, it’s important for non-profit leaders and instructors to realize that we don’t have to have all of the answers. Oftentimes those of us who work in education are high achievers, and we generally enjoy solving complex problems. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves. However, it’s important that we realize that there are a lot of other high achievers serving alongside you in your organization. Pull others in and fast track your success.

Second, tap into the power of your board members. They’re a valuable part of our teams, and I think they’re greatly underutilized in helping organizations find success. I encourage you to create a board member matrix in order to know what knowledge, skills, experiences, or resources you have at your fingertips. This is also helpful in identifying gaps in your board so you know who to invite next. Ensuring that your board represents a variety of assets can be helpful for your organization.

Moving forward, I’m going to challenge myself to make an intentional effort to pull others into the work and better engage my board members in brainstorming sessions. I don’t want to leave any opportunities on the table, and they truly want to be helpful. I know it’s up to me to let them help. When leaders in organizations and boards work together to push forward the organization’s mission, adult learners reap the benefits.