Regional symposia focus primarily on adult literacy, and provide free professional development for volunteers and staff of nonprofit, community-based adult and family literacy programs.
Your local symposium is an excellent place to network with other literacy providers in your region, and a great source of professional development for volunteer and other instructors, as well as administrative staff.
QUICK LINKS FOR THE EAST TEXAS SYMPOSIUM:
Click on any of the links below to go straight to that section, or simply scroll down the page.
BASIC DETAILS
The 2025 East Texas Literacy Symposium will be a full-day symposium, and will be held on:
Friday, December 12, 2025, from 8:15 AM to 3:30 PM (CT).
Check-in for pre-registered participants will open at 8:15 AM, with the full program beginning at 8:45 AM.
This symposium is offered free of charge to Texas nonprofit professionals who work in the fields of adult and family literacy. See Symposium FAQs for more information.
SYMPOSIUM FAQs
Click on a question to see the answer.
Q: Hang on - "symposium"? Don't you mean "conference"?
A: Literacy Texas does have an annual conference! It’s held every summer.
Our regional symposia are a different type of event to the conference.
Each symposium:
- Takes place in a different Texas region to help minimize travel
- Has a local focus
- Is free to attend
- Generally takes place on one day (some symposia are 2 days)
- Includes workshops for both classroom instructors and program administrators
- Is the primary training Literacy Texas offers for literacy volunteers
- Offers 2.5 – 5 hours of professional development, sometimes more
Q: Who should attend this symposium?
A: Anyone interested in adult and family literacy in Texas is welcome at the symposium. The people who will gain the most are instructors at community-based adult literacy organizations and nonprofits.
Volunteer tutors and teachers are especially welcome!
When we create the symposium program, we use the broadest definition of “literacy”, to include all of Adult Foundational Education: adult basic education, English as an additional language, high school equivalency, digital literacy, and workforce readiness, along with other kinds of teaching and learning.
Q: I don't live in this region. Can I still attend?
A: YES! Anyone who lives in Texas is welcome at any Literacy Texas symposium.
Q: Why should I attend?
Two words: LOCAL + FREE!
Each symposium program includes both key topics of universal interest to adult literacy programs, and a focus on the local needs of the region. When you complete our Annual Survey every year, we use the results to invite speakers and presenters on topics you said you particularly wanted and needed.
Furthermore, registration is free. You won’t need a large budget for travel or an overnight stay, in the vast majority of cases. We hope that many folks from the same organization can come to the symposium – there’s no limit on how many people can attend from one place. It’s a lot harder to send lots of people to conferences, since we know costs stack up pretty quickly.
Q: How much does registration cost?
A: The symposium is free to attend. Thanks to a generous grant from the Texas Workforce Commission, Literacy Texas can cover the costs of your tuition, any meals and snacks offered, materials, and other resources.
Please be aware that in recent years, between 15% and 30% of registrants are no-shows at our training events. Every one of these costs us money (since we’ve already paid for food, materials, and more).
If you’ve registered for a Literacy Texas event but then find you can no longer attend, PLEASE get in touch to cancel your registration.
Q: Do you offer PD credit?
A: Yes! Literacy Texas offers PD credit in conjunction with TCALL.
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.
Please pay attention to the due dates communicated at your symposium – 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!
LOCATION
This symposium will be held at the Texarkana Convention Center, 4610 Cowhorn Creek Road Texarkana, Texas 75503.
PLEASE NOTE: The Texarkana Convention Center is in the same building as the Hilton Garden Inn. Some online listings have the Hilton’s address: 2910 S Cowhorn Creek Loop, Texarkana, TX 75503. Both addresses will get you where you need to go.
Map and parking information are coming soon.
FREE ONLINE REGISTRATION
This session has reached capacity and we are forming a waitlist.
Use the registration button below to add your name to the list.
Registration for this session has now closed
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 at 972-926-3155 to make arrangements.
PD CERTIFICATES
Attendees can receive up to 5.5 hours of PD credit at this symposium.
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 communicated at your symposium – 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!
PROGRAM, SESSIONS, & SPEAKERS
Sessions and speakers are pending; details will be added here as they’re confirmed.
Schedule will be kept as current as possible but is subject to change; check back here for updates
8:15 AM – 8:45 AM: CHECK-IN FOR PRE-REGISTERED ATTENDEES
8:45 AM – 9:00 AM: WELCOME, OPENING REMARKS
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.
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Opening Session (30 min)
Title of Session
Session description pending.
Location: Pending
Name
Title, Org + link
Bio pending.
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Networking Activity (30 min)
Title of Session
Session description pending.
Location: Pending
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.
10:10 AM – 11:40 AM
Breakout #1 (90 min)
Title of Session
Session description pending.
Location: Pending
Primary Topic Area
Session will also cover:
Audience
Level
Texas AEL PD Category
Assigned by TCALL
Pending
Other info:
No other info available at this time.
Name
Title, Org with link
Bio pending
11:40 AM – 12:40 PM: WORKING LUNCH
Panel Discussion (45 min)
“Title”
Session description pending.
Location: Pending
PANEL MODERATOR
Name
Title, Organization with URL
Bio pending.
PANELIST
Name
Title, Organization with URL
Bio pending.
PANELIST
Name
Title, Organization with URL
Bio pending.
Additional panelists pending.
12:50 PM – 1:35 PM
Spotlight Session (45 min)
Title of Session
Session description pending.
Location: Pending
Primary Topic Area
Session will also cover:
Audience
Level
Texas AEL PD Category
Assigned by TCALL
Pending
Other info:
No other info available at this time.
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.
1:45 PM – 3:15 PM
Breakout #2 (90 min)
Title of Session
Session description pending.
Location: Pending
Primary Topic Area
Session will also cover:
Audience
Level
Texas AEL PD Category
Assigned by TCALL
Pending
Other info:
No other info available at this time.
Name
Title, Org with link
Bio pending
3:15 PM – 3:30 PM: FAREWELL & DOOR PRIZES
Location: Pending
DOWNLOADS
Download or print a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending the symposium.
Downloadable PDF flyer for this symposium is coming soon.
Download or print a copy of the symposium program.
Printable PDF copy of the symposium program is coming soon.
SPECIAL THANKS TO -
[name of any sponsors or other partners – as many as relevant, new line for each]
The regional symposia are funded by the Professional Development Support for Nonprofit Adult Literacy Organizations grant from the Texas Workforce Commission.
STAY IN THE KNOW -
Or get news directly from Literacy Texas:
Checked/updated: 10/10/25
Thank you so much for your interest!
This event is now over.
