ideas Archives - Literacy Texas

Best of Texas: Learning Differences & Disabilities

August 27, 2025 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 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

SAVE THE DATE!

This online session will be held on:

Thursday, October 9, 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

[session description]

Primary Topic Area

Session will also cover:

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

Guests to be confirmed.

Name
Title
XY

Info

Name
Title
XY

Info

Host:

Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker
Executive Director
Literacy Texas

Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker serves as the Executive Director of Literacy Texas. She 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 over two decades and impacted thousands of students. She earned a doctorate in education leadership and a master’s degree in education administration, both from Texas A&M University–Texarkana. She holds 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.

She is a member of the 2025 Leadership Texas class and she currently serves as a member of the Digital Opportunity Advisory Group for the Texas Broadband Development Office. In 2024, Dr. Walker represented Texas in COABE’s 2024 State Advocates for Adult Education Fellowship.

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

Someone who completes the full session will receive 1 hour of PD credit.

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 in the days following the training.

SPECIAL THANKS

[presenter]

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

The Texas Workforce Commission

STAY IN THE KNOW -

Or get news directly from Literacy Texas:

Thank you so much for your interest!

This event is now over.

Checked/updated 8/28/25

The Expert Edge: Goal-Setting & Journaling

August 27, 2025 by Kathryn Bauchelle

The Expert Edge: Online training on core topics that all adult and family literacy professionals should know. Stay sharp with The Expert Edge!

QUICK LINKS FOR THIS EXPERT EDGE SESSION:

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

Basic details

About this topic

Meet the presenter

Online registration

PD Certificates

Downloads and printable documents

Special thanks

BASIC DETAILS

SAVE THE DATE!

This online session will be held on:

Tuesday, October 14, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM (CT).

Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 12:50 PM.

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

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

ABOUT THIS TOPIC

Knowing why an adult literacy student wants to improve their reading or their English can help us choose the right materials, recommend additional study, and help students make faster progress. And yet, setting goals in class can be challenging – and checking in on progress can be even harder.

In this session, participants will learn about simple yet powerful ways to approach goal-setting with adult students that incorporate plain language – and how one program transformed their understanding of goal-setting into a wider pattern of reflection for students and instructors alike.

This session will be aimed particularly at Texas community-based adult literacy organizations.

Primary Topic Area

Session will also cover:

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.

MEET THE PRESENTER

Kathryn Bauchelle

After moving to Houston, TX in 2008, Kathryn volunteered as an ESL tutor at Literacy Advance of Houston, then joined the staff, holding roles over the next decade in volunteer management, program direction, fund development, grant writing, program evaluation, communications, training, and marketing. As Program Director and then VP of Programs & Partnerships, Kathryn’s focus was always on the students – and how to let experience, best practices, and research guide her and the team toward constant improvement.

She helped Literacy Advance merge successfully with Memorial Assistance Ministries in 2018, and since 2019 has worked as a consultant. She has been on the Literacy Texas team since 2021.

FREE ONLINE REGISTRATION

Registration will open soon – watch this space

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

Someone who completes the full session will receive 1.5 hours of PD credit.

DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS

Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer].

Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon.

SPECIAL THANKS

The team at Literacy Advance from 2008 to 2018

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

The Texas Workforce Commission

STAY IN THE KNOW -

Or get news directly from Literacy Texas:

Thank you so much for your interest!

This event is now over.

Last checked/updated: 8/27/25

Best of Texas: Outreach & Advocacy

August 20, 2025 by Kathryn Bauchelle

QUICK LINKS FOR THIS 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, September 11, 2025, 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

[session description]

Primary Topic Area

Session will also cover:

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

Irene Ramos
Independent Consultant
TALAE

Irene Ramos has dedicated 35 years to advancing adult education and workforce training, serving in a variety of impactful roles including instructor, coordinator, staff development trainer, Center Manager, Independent Consultant and Program Manager. With a unique blend of experience across the workforce, adult education, and civic leadership spheres, she brings a comprehensive perspective to each initiative she leads, especially in her current role as an Independent Education Consultant.

Ramos holds a bachelor’s degree from Our Lady of the Lake University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from St. Mary’s School of Law in San Antonio. Among her accomplishments Ramos successfully designed and built the Adult Education program, Crossroads in the coastal Bend from the ground up thereby rebranding adult education in the Coastal Bend area. Ramos is currently the Vice President of TALAE, the state Adult Education organization and is participating in the COABE sponsored Adult Education Advocacy Fellowship.

A lifelong resident of Poteet, Texas, Ramos has been married to her husband, Ed, for 36 years and is the proud mother of three accomplished children. Her commitment to community, education, and family is evident in all facets of her work and life.

Kelli G. Rhodes, MBA
President & CEO
Restore Education

Kelli G. Rhodes, MBA, is the President & CEO, and Co-Founder of Restore Education.

An alumna of UTSA, she has two decades of experience in education, first as a middle and high school teacher. In 2008, Ms. Rhodes partnered with the founding Executive Director to create Restore Education as an innovative and flexible program to help individuals earn their GED and successfully transition to postsecondary.

During her tenure, Restore Education has seen exponential growth and has become an established leader in adult education and workforce development in South Texas. In 2020, she was awarded Administrator of the Year from the Texas Association for Literacy and Adult Education. She has served on the board of Workforce Solutions Alamo since 2020 and is a graduate of Leadership San Antonio Class 47, and the Aspen Institute’s Economic Opportunities Program as part of the Alamo Region’s Workforce Leadership Academy.

Laura Barrera
Adult Education Supervisor
ESC Region 2 Crossroads Program

Laura Barrera has dedicated her career to education, with nearly two decades in adult education and more than 30 years in K–12 instruction. Since 2019, she has served with the ESC Region 2 Crossroads Program, where she played a key role in its development and continues to support every adult learner who walks through the door.

Before joining adult education full-time, Laura retired in 2015 after a distinguished career with the San Antonio Independent School District. She taught at the elementary, middle, and high school levels before becoming an Instructional Coach, guiding teachers to improve literacy instruction and student outcomes.

Her work has been recognized at both the state and national levels. In 1998, Laura was named Bilingual Teacher of the Year for the State of Texas, and in 2013 she was honored by Johns Hopkins University as the Literacy Coach of the Year for Talent Development.

In addition to her K–12 experience, Laura has taught ESL and served as an Adult Education supervisor for ten years, making her especially skilled at supporting English learners. She is passionate about helping teachers build strong professional learning communities to drive student success.

Beyond education, Laura serves as a Buddhist Dharma Teacher in San Antonio, Texas, where she continues to live and teach with compassion and purpose.

Host:

Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker
Executive Director
Literacy Texas

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

Someone who completes the full session will receive 1 hour of PD credit.

SPECIAL THANKS

Irene Ramos

Kelli G. Rhodes

The Texas Workforce Commission

STAY IN THE KNOW -

Or get news directly from Literacy Texas:

Thank you so much for your interest!

This event is now over.

Checked/updated 8/27/25

LitTX Group Chat

August 15, 2025 by Kathryn Bauchelle

Want to ask a question?

Need help with something?

Maybe you want some new ideas or resources for your literacy program?

Have some feedback or a request for an upcoming training session?

Drop by this virtual session and chat with the Literacy Texas team. All literacy questions welcome!

There’s no agenda and no presentation – just an open time for literacy chat.

Join us online on

Tuesday, September 2

any time between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM (CT)

There’s no official “start” to this event, so come whenever you like – and stay for as long or as short a time as you like.

No prior registration is needed. We’re looking forward to seeing where the conversation takes us!

NOTE: This is the same as our old “Coffee With Literacy Texas” events, just with a new name.

STAY IN THE KNOW -

Or get news directly from Literacy Texas:

Thank you so much for your interest!

This event is now over.

Checked/updated 8/28/25

2026 Literacy Texas Annual Conference

August 14, 2025 by Kathryn Bauchelle

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.

2026 Conference Basics

Location: Embassy Suites by Hilton Grapevine DFW Airport North
Street address: 2401 Bass Pro Drive, Grapevine, Texas, 76051

Our hashtag is #LitTX26

Monday, July 27, 2026: Pre-Conference activities
Plus general arrival, check-in, exhibitor set-up, VIP Reception

Tuesday, July 28, 2026: Main Conference Day 1

Wednesday, July 29, 2026: Main Conference Day 2

The theme of the 2025 conference is “Literacy looks like this.”

There’s so much more to literacy than classrooms and whiteboards.

What does literacy look like in your part of the world?
How are folks in your programs linking their learning to family, work, and life outside the classroom?

There’s no one “right” way for literacy to look! We’ll showcase literacy in all its breadth, diversity, and beauty with “Literacy looks like this.”

Quick guide to the 2025 conference:

Checked/updated 8/14/2025

Best of Texas: Civics & Citizenship

July 24, 2025 by Kathryn Bauchelle

Thank you so much for your interest!

This event is now over.

QUICK LINKS FOR THIS 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, August 28, 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.

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

In 2025, the path to U.S. citizenship is shifting. This session will explore the most recent updates, policy changes, and evolving USCIS procedures impacting lawful permanent residents in Texas.

Participants will gain practical strategies to adapt their instruction, ensure curriculum compliance, and meet the needs of diverse immigrant learners. We’ll also discuss how to navigate new challenges and help students prepare not only for the naturalization test, but for active and informed civic participation.

GUESTS THIS MONTH

Luis García-Alvarez
President, SEDES &
Senior Community Engagement Advisor, USAHello

Luis A. García-Alvarez immigrated to the U.S. at the start of the century to pursue his dreams and enhance the lives of Hispanic immigrants. In 2008, he founded SEDES (System for Education Empowerment and Success), where he serves as President. He also serves as the Senior Community Engagement Advisor for USAHello, helping immigrants achieve financial freedom and societal development. He holds a Master’s in Human Rights and International Law.

In 2021, he received the Hispanic Heritage Award from Houston and was named MLS Community MVP for representing the Houston Dynamo. His leadership on various advisory boards reflects his dedication to a brighter future. In his essay for the Hispanic Leaders Program, he envisions the U.S. as a cultural melting pot and an opportunity to strengthen the Hispanic community.

Host:

Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker
Executive Director
Literacy Texas

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

NOTE TO WEB ADMIN: Most Best of Texas sessions will not include a PD certificate, but the longer in-depth sessions currently scheduled for 3 times a year will be the exception.

Someone who completes the full session will receive X hours of PD credit.

SPECIAL THANKS

Luis García-Alvarez

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

The Texas Workforce Commission

STAY IN THE KNOW -

Or get news directly from Literacy Texas:

Checked/updated 8/28/25

2025 Focus Group #2

July 24, 2025 by Kathryn Bauchelle

As part of our Annual Survey, we hold focus groups with literacy folks across Texas, to hear more about what you need right now and how we can best be helpful over the coming 12 – 18 months.

We can’t promise that we can do everything you want, but our ears are open, and there are NO silly ideas! We want to hear what you need, what you want – and what would need to happen for your wildest literacy dreams to be fulfilled.

Plus, this year, we want to hear how funding uncertainty and cuts across adult education are affecting you, your program, and your community.

Check your email for an invitation!

2025 Focus Group #1

July 24, 2025 by Kathryn Bauchelle

As part of our Annual Survey, we hold focus groups with literacy folks across Texas, to hear more about what you need right now and how we can best be helpful over the coming 12 – 18 months.

Plus, this year, we want to hear how funding uncertainty and cuts across adult education are affecting you, your program, and your community.

Check your email for an invitation!

2025 Literacy Texas Pre-Conference

July 24, 2025 by Kathryn Bauchelle

NEW in 2025! Pre-Conference Sessions

Join Rachel Muir and Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker for a 3-hour deep dive into specially chosen topics.

2025 Conference Basics

Location: Embassy Suites, San Marcos, TX
Street address: 1001 E McCarty Lane, San Marcos, TX 78666

Our hashtag is #LitTX25

Quick guide to the 2025 conference:

Checked/updated 4/9/2025

Elevating English Proficiency through Visual Literacy

May 28, 2025 by Literacy Texas

This is a guest post by Tara Benwell, VP of Publishing at Ellii.

You can find Ellii among the exhibitors at the 2025 Literacy Texas Annual Conference.

Visual literacy is an essential life skill that complements language learning. Emily Bryson, a graphic facility expert and guest blogger with Ellii, is a strong proponent of the power of visuals. Emily frequently reminds educators how much of the information we encounter each day comes from images, symbols, signs, and diagrams.

In English language classrooms, fostering visual literacy is key to helping students navigate and understand the world around them. Visual literacy helps learners to:

understand main ideas from pictures before reading
grasp complex processes through diagrams
use online platforms or apps by recognizing icons
stay safe by interpreting signs and symbols
analyze meaning, think critically, and discuss opinions
inspire curiosity and exploration
communicate creatively
share information effectively

Did you know that Ellii originally started as a library of images? Before it was known as ESL Library—and later, Ellii—teachers subscribed to ESL Images. While teaching English in Japan, Ellii’s founder, Ben Buckwold, relied on visuals to support his lessons. When he couldn’t find the simple, engaging imagery he needed, he created his own library. You can hear the full origin story of Ellii on this episode of The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast.

Today, Ellii is both an LMS and a content library full of ready-made lessons, courses, and visuals to keep language learners engaged, especially in those crucial emerging levels. Ellii’s Media Gallery offers a comprehensive collection of high-quality images and videos to help teachers elicit, teach, and reinforce vocabulary and grammar structures as well as spark engagement and interaction in the classroom. And the best part? The content was created specifically for ELLs.

Here are four types of visuals Ellii suggests experimenting with to elevate English proficiency:

1. Flashcards

Over the years, countless marketing experts have tried to convince Ben that the concept of a “flashcard” is outdated. However, Ellii’s founder strongly believes in classic teaching tools, including printable lessons and images, and our friends at Cambridge University Press and Assessment (CUPA) agree. At a recent TESOL session, Ventures author Gretchen Bitterlin recommended sending flashcard sets home in an envelope to help promote family literacy.

Today’s flashcards are not just printable images. Many platforms, including Ellii, offer digital vocabulary images with audio support and gamification features to go along with digital (or printable) lessons. At Ellii, flashcards are created specifically for English learners by real illustrators who understand the importance of simple, iconic imagery. Teachers can edit the text that goes with these 5,000+ images, making them a practical tool in bilingual programs or for leveling vocabulary up or down in a multilevel setting. Teachers can even get creative and make their own conversation question sets!

Flashcard Library on Ellii

2. Photo Prompts

Why do you think the popular Ventures series starts each unit with a scene called The Big Picture? CUPA author Donna Price often pulls out these detailed image scenes during teacher training sessions to reinforce the power of an image in eliciting language. Each Big Picture scene includes a critical incident, activating students’ prior knowledge and creating opportunities for thematic discussion.

Ellii does something similar with its That’s News to Me section using real photos or videos from The Associated Press. There is also a full section of Photo Prompts that can be used for a variety of activities from vocabulary building to critical thinking. As Emily Bryson points out on the Ellii blog, “Using just one image, students are prompted to describe the photo, make predictions, research the history… explore reasons” and more.

Photo Prompts on Ellii

Language Scenes are a tried-and-true method for eliciting vocabulary and assessing grammar knowledge, helping teachers identify new students’ levels and needs at intake. For the lowest-level learners, including adults preparing for CASAS STEPS, identifying vocabulary through visuals is something emerging learners need to practice in order to demonstrate proficiency.

3. Silent Clips & Video Lessons

“Sometimes the best way to get a conversation going is to stay silent,” says Emily. Silent Clips are a great way to introduce and review tricky words, including action verbs, emotions, and workplace vocabulary.

Silent Clips on Ellii

And if you want to keep your students truly engaged, video lessons are the number one recommendation, especially in those no-phone classroom zones where students are likely craving more screen time. Over the last few years, Ellii has built up its video library to include 600+ ESL videos, reinforcing everything from grammar targets and pronunciation to life and workplace skills.

4. AI-Generated Imagery

Does AI-generated imagery have a place in ELT? While Ellii is sticking with its human illustrators and photographers for now, there are countless activities that teachers and students can do to hone their prompt-engineering skills. From creating 3D dolls to spotting AI-generated errors, the language opportunities are endless. And, as Caitlin Thomas of National Geographic Learning pointed out at TESOL 2025, “AI fluency is the new digital literacy.” Have some fun! We are!

Ellii plays with AI-generated images

What Literacy Teachers Are Saying about Ellii

"Ellii is the one resource that I recommend to every new teacher. It has a wide range of materials for different student needs. Daily, I use flashcards for my newcomers and the academic resources with my higher levels. Ellii has innovated so much in the past few years and continues to improve the resources available."

Lynn

"Ellii offers great collections to use as an additional resource for younger English learners. The Word Bank lessons can be used to enhance vocabulary and language acquisition and begin the foundations for writing. My students have thoroughly enjoyed the Phonics Stories this year, and flashcards help to facilitate great discussions! A parent of one of my students has even started using Ellii to help with everyday tasks. "

Anon

More #Love4Ellii

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