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What Leaders Need: Effective Governance in Times of Change

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Join us for “What Leaders Need: Effective Governance in Times of Change”, led by BoardSource-certified governance consultant (and always-popular conference presenter) Vicki Clark.

This leadership training session will focus on Nonprofit Boards. Presenter Vicki Clark will take us through Effective Governance in Times of Change, focusing on intentional revitalization, governance that works, understanding Board performance through self-assessment, and regularly looking for opportunities to strengthen the way your Board works. Each session includes materials to take back to your organization for ongoing use.

Registration is open now.

A $50 fee will apply and full scholarships are available to non-AEL programs. Apply here for a scholarship for “What Leaders Need: Effective Governance in Times of Change”.

The two-session training will be held online on Thursday, May 26, 2022, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm.
Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:45 am.

“What Leaders Need: Effective Governance in Times of Change” Program

Session 1: Board Roles & Responsibilities (9:00 am – 10:30 am)

Boards are not—and should not be— static. To be effective, they must change and evolve as their organizations change and grow.

We’ll go back to basics on Board roles and responsibilities, and do a deep dive on the various Board stages in a nonprofit’s lifecycle.

How can you keep your Board vibrant, focused, and effective in times of change?

Session 2: A Healthy Board’s Building Cycle (10:45 am – 12:15 pm)

Building your Board is a continuous cycle, with interconnected phases.

One important phase is strategic recruitment, where you work to build a Board of capable, diverse, and enthusiastic people with the right mix of skills, experiences, and backgrounds by identifying potential board members, cultivating their interest, and recruiting them to serve.

Another is effective board engagement, where you take care to engage all board members (not just new ones!), in the work of the Board through ongoing education about the organization and its programs, the external operating environment, and the Board’s leadership role.

What are the best and most practical ways to keep your Board in a healthy building cycle?
How can you create a culture of inclusion where all members know that their input and ideas are valued?

NOTE FOR PARTICIPANTS: In this session, we’ll be using a new  interactive polling feature. Have your phone or a second browser on your computer handy to weigh in on polling questions. 
Instructions will be given during the session.

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Register here for What Leaders Need: Effective Governance in Times of Change.

NOTE: What Leaders Need replaces the third day of the annual conference, which was devoted to nonprofit leadership topics. A $50 fee will apply for this session, and scholarships are available to non-AEL programs. Apply here for a scholarship for “What Leaders Need: Effective Governance in Times of Change”.

Presenter: Vicki Clark

Vicki Clark is an optimist. She loves people and shows up in the world as a learner and a servant leader. Based in Memphis, Tennessee, Vicki has devoted the past 30 years of her career to building capacity of organizations and individuals; inspiring community and business leaders to take action. She is known for her work in the specialty areas of leadership development, inclusion and diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism assessment, training and facilitation, board development, strategic planning, volunteer resource development and effective communication. Her work spans dozens of corporate clients, nonprofits and government organizations.

She sits on numerous boards, including the National Diaper Bank, and is a regular trainer at community and leadership organizations such as United Way and the Association of Junior Leagues International. Her work as a consultant (at Vicki Clark Consulting), coach, trainer and speaker have given her infinite opportunities to learn from and share with people from all walks of life. She meets people where they are, never gives up, and believes in the power of prayer. Even at her age and with all that she has experienced, she continues to be A WORK IN PROGRESS.

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2022 East Texas Literacy Symposium

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Thank you so much for coming! This event is now over.

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The 2022 East Texas Literacy Symposium will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2022, from 8:30 am – 3:00 pm, in the Longview University Center at UT Tyler. Check-in for registered participants will open at 8:00 am.

This symposium is offered free of charge to educators, volunteer tutors, ESL teachers, and other library and nonprofit professionals who work in the fields of adult and family literacy.

See the schedule outline below; detailed descriptions of the workshops can be found here.

Schedule (subject to change)

8:00 am – 8:30 am — Check-in, breakfast

8:30 am – 8:45 am — Welcome (Kathy Weeks, East Texas Literacy Council; Steve Banta, Literacy Texas)

Session 1: 8:50 am – 10:20 am (90 min)

Building Persistence & Resilience, Part 1 (Part 2 in Session 2) – Dr. Olga Escamilla

Beyond Poverty & Trauma Beginning with Adult Literacy, Part 1 (Part 2 in Session 2) – Theresa Sands

Beyond Singing: The Power of Music in the Classroom – Dr. Glenda Rose

BREAK

Session 2: 10:30 am – 12:00 pm (90 min)

Building Persistence & Resilience, Part 2 – Dr. Olga Escamilla

Beyond Poverty & Trauma Beginning with Adult Literacy, Part 2 – Theresa Sands

How to Develop an Effective Lesson Plan, Part 1 (Part 2 in Session 3) – Irene Ramos

WORKING LUNCH 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Session 3: 1:10 pm – 2:40 pm (90 min)

How to Develop an Effective Lesson Plan, Part 2 – Irene Ramos

Writing Through the Levels of ESL – Dr. Glenda Rose

Incorporating Civics Into ESL – Dr. Olga Escamilla

DOOR PRIZES, FAREWELL

Directions to the Longview University Center
Directions from I-20: Exit onto Hwy 259 North (Eastman Road). The Longview University Center is about 2 miles past Loop 281 on the left.

Directions from Hwy 80: Turn North on Hwy 259 (Eastman Road). The Longview University Center is about 2 miles past Loop 281 on the left.

Downloads:

Download a PDF copy of the schedule listed above.

Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending.

Special thanks to:

The Longview University Center at UT Tyler

The Texas Center for Advancement of Literacy & Learning (TCALL)

The Texas Workforce Commission

Read more about the annual regional literacy symposiums here.

Watch this space, sign up for our newsletter, or follow us on social media for all news and updates:

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2022 South Texas Literacy Symposium

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Thank you so much for coming! This event is now over. Find pics online here.

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The South Texas Literacy Symposium will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2022, from 9:00 am – 2:30 pm, in the ballroom of the UTRGV Campus, 1201 West University Drive, Edinburg TX 78539. Check-in for registered participants will open at 8:30 am.

Click here for detailed maps and parking instructions.

As in previous years, the symposium is part of the UTRGV Festival of International Books and Arts (FESTIBA) – this year’s theme is Inspiring Creativity & Innovation Through Arts and Literacy.

This symposium is offered free of charge to educators, volunteer tutors, ESL teachers, and other library and nonprofit professionals who work in the fields of adult and family literacy.

See the schedule outline below; detailed descriptions of the workshops can be found here.

Schedule (subject to change)

8:30 am – 9:00 am — Check-in

9:00 am – 9:20 am — Welcome: South Texas Literacy Coalition; Literacy Texas; UTRGV

9:20 am – 9:55 am – Opening Speaker: WF Strong, Fulbright Scholar and Professor of Communication at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Session 1: 10:05 am – 11:00 am (55 min)

CANVAS: With a Blank Canvas, Learning Begins – Mario Ortiz, MOS/ELA Tech Specialist (workshop repeated in session 2)

Gamification to Enhance Information Literacy Learning – Carlton T. Nelson, Research & Instructional Services Librarian, UTRGV

Story Times Are For Parents Too – Viviana Caballero, Children’s Supervisor, Dustin Sekula Memorial Library

Session 2: 11:05 am – 12:00 pm (55 min)

CANVAS: With a Blank Canvas, Learning Begins – Mario Ortiz, MOS/ELA Tech Specialist (repeat workshop from session 1)

How to Talk So Others Listen And How to Listen So Others Open Up – Laura Lyles Regan, Parent & Teen Communication Coach, Author

Making Connections While Reading – G. G. Hesterberg, Author and Educator

WORKING LUNCH 12:10 pm – 1:05 pm
Lunch panel: Local Authors Inspiring Creativity & Innovation Through Arts & Literacy

Panelists: Katelynn Renteria, David Norec, Alissa Karin Shirah, Patty York Raymond, David Leija

Session 3: 1:15 pm – 2:10 pm (55 min)

Start With the Heart – Irene Ramos, TCALL

Motivating Adult Learners – Dr. Ida Acuña Garza

The Power of Writing – Rey Banda, Author and Educator

Finale: 2:15 pm – 2:30 pm (15 min)

EVALUATION, DOOR PRIZES, BOOK DISTRIBUTION EVENT, FAREWELL – BALLROOM

Author List

As in previous years, we’re excited to be welcoming authors to the South Texas Literacy Symposium. Currently confirmed:

Katelynn Renteria – The Other Side of the Law
David Norec – The Adventures of Exo and Cy
Alissa Karin Shirah – Going Home
Patty York Raymond – The ABC’s to Ranching; Aspire!; It’s Too Windy!
David Leija-  TK’s First Lesson
WF. Strong
Scott W. Kimak – After the Apocalypse; I Call Him HIM; The Angel of Death
Laura Lyles Regan – How to Raise Respectable Parents
G.G. Hesterberg – Music, Music, You Can Too!; Stories by the Seashore
Ron Ramirez – A Perfect Book for Pablo; A Purr-fect Book for Christmas; A Perfect Book for Frida; A Perfect Book for Carlos; A Perfect Book for Tamryn

Downloads:

Download a PDF copy of the schedule listed above.

Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending.

Special thanks to:

University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV)

The Texas Center for Advancement of Literacy & Learning (TCALL)

The Texas Workforce Commission

Read more about the annual regional literacy symposiums here.

Watch this space, sign up for our newsletter, or follow us on social media to get all the details as they’re confirmed:

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

Building Your Literacy Program Around Adult Learner Persistence

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Thank you for your interest! Registration is now closed.

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Adult students don’t need literacy for its own sake – literacy needs are always linked to other life goals. Most adult students know what they need and why they want to learn – so how can we always put them at the very center of their own learning process?

In this session, we will:

  • Take a look at the 6 Drivers of Persistence developed by the New England Literacy Resource Center, and discuss ways they can be incorporated into your program structure;
  • Talk about how building your programs around Adult Learner Persistence principles can help learners to “stick with it”, learn more, and increase in confidence,
  • Look at the close links between Adult Learner Persistence and Plain Language, and
  • Discuss some practical ways you can embed the principles in your adult literacy programs.

Presenter: Kathryn Bauchelle

Kathryn has a background in education and languages, with degrees in language acquisition, literature, and education from the University of Sydney, Australia. She worked as a teacher of foreign languages and English literature in high schools in Australia and the UK, and served as a Head of Faculty for Modern Languages. Her work with the Jubilee Debt Campaign, a London-based NGO, fueled her interest in social justice and community work, leading her to volunteer as an ESL tutor with Literacy Advance following her move to the United States in 2008.

She joined the Literacy Advance staff in 2009 as the Volunteer Manager, became Program Director in 2011, and then VP of Programs & Partnerships in 2017, working closely with both Programs and Development staff. After the successful merging of Literacy Advance with Memorial Assistance Ministries in 2019, Kathryn moved to consultancy work, including her part-time work with Literacy Texas. Kathryn continues to love adult literacy and learning, and found the Adult Learner Persistence Principles to be transformational when she was researching ways to structure the programs she was directing.

Introduction to Intake to Outcomes (I2O) – Online Event

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Thank you for your interest! Registration is now closed.

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Q: Who will gain the most from this training?
A: While anyone is welcome, this training will be most helpful to program directors and anyone who manages or coordinates volunteers.

Across Texas, hundreds – maybe thousands – of community-based literacy organizations get new volunteers ready to work with adult literacy classes. Every week, trainings take place on topics like How Adults Learn, Reading Basics, Intro to ESL, and more. That’s a LOT of duplicated effort.

Intake to Outcomes is designed to assist programs with volunteer tutor and teacher training, covering the core topics that are universal to all adult literacy programs, and leaving coordinators free to focus on the details specific to their site or process.

Come along to this introductory session to learn how you can use Intake to Outcomes to deliver quality literacy training to your volunteers, at no cost to you. Workshops available include basic self-paced sessions on how to teach Reading, Language, Math, and Citizenship, and the video-based, online sessions are supported by experienced facilitators ready to answer questions. I2O is designed to be equally useful to brand new volunteers just getting started, or as a refresher for instructors who have been teaching for a while.

This introductory presentation will be one hour, with an extra 30 minutes for questions.

“I2O saved our program a lot of time and money. I no longer have to hire and train trainers, find a site, and deal with no-shows. I2O made our tutor training inexpensive, easy, and efficient, I couldn’t have asked for more.”

I2O Tutor Training workshops available to your program (fee covered 100% by TCALL):

  • Reading Basics 2.0 (for Adult Basic Literacy tutors)
  • Language Basics 2.0 (for English Language tutors)
  • Math Basics 2.0 (for entry-level Math tutors)
  • The Citizenship Coach (for Citizenship tutors)

I2O is flexible, interactive, and evidence-based:

  • Training based on latest research and evidence-based practices
  • Instructional text, audio, videos, and interactive activities
  • 24/7 access with smartphones, tablets, or computers
  • Tutors can start and stop on their own schedules
  • Video demonstrations with real tutors and students
  • Tutors earn certificates of completion
  • Resources available to the tutor after the training is complete

“The videos are excellent! Tutors can see authentic demonstrations of teaching strategies and techniques with real students.”

Experienced facilitators monitor, support, and provide feedback to tutors throughout the highly-structured online workshops.

“Knowing that an experienced trainer is available to answer any question that comes up along the way, makes training online so easy.”

I2O is cost effective: Say goodbye to trainer recruitment, finding a site, preparing materials, travel expenses, sporadic training sessions, and no-shows.

2021 Gulf Coast Literacy Symposium – Online Event

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Thank you for your interest! Registration is now closed.

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We’ve all had to pivot, make do, and be flexible – and more – during this last couple of pandemic years. What might go back to how it was? What’s shifted permanently? What new opportunities has the pandemic given us and what silver linings can we find on the cloud?

Join us online on Friday, October 29, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (Central time) as we look at program structure and fundraising through the lens of “The Next Normal”.

SCHEDULE

9:00 am – 9:15 am – Welcome
Steve Banta, Executive Director, Literacy Texas

9:15 am – 10:15 am – Session One: The Next Normal – Powering Through the Pandemic with Adaptable Fundraising
Panelists – Jonita Fair-Payton and Tara M. Thompson, The Funding Strategists, and Ernest Lewis III, President and CEO, Adult Education Center
Moderator – Jackie Aguilera, Project Manager, City of Houston Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy

10:15 am – 10:45 am – Session Two: Best Practices in Distance Education
Presenter – Claire Gilliam, AEL Instructor (Digital Literacy), TX Region 5 Adult Education Program

10:45 am – 11:00 am – Break & Door Prizes

11:00 am – 12:00 pm – Session Three: The Next Normal – Strategies in Building Sustainable Programs During and After a Pandemic
Panelists –  Angela M. Johnson, Director of Learning & Workforce Development, BakerRipley; Martin Loa, Past President of TALAE (Texas Association for Literacy in Adult Education); and Wes Young, Executive Director of Tarrant Literacy Coalition
Moderator – Jackie Aguilera, Project Manager, City of Houston Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy

Following the session, continue the conversation in the Texas Literacy Network Facebook group.

PANELIST & PRESENTER INFORMATION

The Funding Strategists

The Funding Strategists (TFS) are proven industry experts who are highly sought after for their innovative business strategies and funding success ratings. They retain clients nationally with geographical hubs in Texas, California, Tennessee, and Mississippi. Their current client base includes various disciplines: non-profits, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, local governments, for profits, etc. TFS has secured over $100 million dollars in funding dollars for organizations.

TFS is a firm built on strong foundational principles. Their core values of Faith, Transparency, Integrity, Innovation, and Strategic Focus govern all business interactions and further solidify their esteemed reputation in the professional services industry. The Principal Partners of The Funding Strategists are Jonita Fair-Payton and Tara M. Thompson. The firm also has a Firm Associate and a team of researchers.

Ernest Lewis III

Nonprofit veteran Ernest Lewis III has a diverse background in the areas of management, fund development, media, literacy, arts administration, and community development. The New Orleans native has called Houston home for 12 years. Ernest has acquired varied experience in developing and shaping signature programming focusing on basic needs, disaster recovery, youth development, adult and family literacy, senior services, workforce development, art education, and homeless prevention. During 20+ years of service in the nonprofit arena, Ernest has cultivated, secured, and managed more than $20 million in private, federal, and public funds to advance the mission of many noteworthy nonprofits in New Orleans and Houston.

The American Leadership Class XL Senior Fellow and Literacy Texas and ARTreach Board President holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in business. Ernest is also a member of the Houston-Galveston Area Council Workforce Development Board and the Pearland Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Claire Gilliam

Claire is currently a Texas AEL Instructor with a focus in Digital Literacy for the Region 5 Adult Education Program which serves Jefferson, Orange, and Hardin counties in southeast Texas. Previously, she was Distance Learning Coordinator, Tech Integration Coach, and Adult Basic Education (ABE) & High School Equivalency (HSE) Instructor at the Literacy Council of Tyler in East Texas.

She enjoys giving back to her community through the promotion of education and literacy. She has a bachelor’s degree in English (Linguistics) from the University of North Texas and currently she is completing a master’s degree in Adult Education from Texas A&M University. Claire is passionate about helping adults achieve their academic and life goals through literacy and technology.

Angela M. Johnson

Angela is the Director of Learning & Workforce Development at BakerRipley, and has been active in the field of adult education and workforce development for nearly 20 years. She has served as a program lead for distance education, workforce development, college prep, and internationally trained professionals. She has collaborated with various industries on workforce initiatives, job readiness, and capacity building grants supporting the upskill of incumbents and new entrants in healthcare, construction, oil and gas, and service industries.

Angela holds an advanced degree in business, has completed course work for the doctoral program in developmental education at Sam Houston State University, and is conducting research on measures of student resilience and grit for her dissertation.

Martin Loa

Martin is Past President of TALAE (Texas Association for Literacy in Adult Education). He previously served as vice president for Houston Center for Literacy, where he supported the literacy organizations, engaged the community to join efforts in solving Houston’s low literacy problem, and connected adult learners to literacy providers. Prior to joining HCL, Martin was a program manager for Harris County Department of Education Adult Education Division. HCDE is the second largest adult education provider in the state. He is an experienced educator, trainer and conference organizer. Martin has served as an instructor and an administrator in Adult Education.

Wes Young

Wes is the Executive Director of Tarrant Literacy Coalition, a nonprofit located in Fort Worth, Texas. He has spent the last 7.5 years working in adult education classrooms of all types including tutoring Adult Basic Literacy students in Fort Worth & Arlington, teaching HSE in White Settlement and Fort Worth, and digital literacy classes in Arlington. Wes and the Coalition emphasize program creation and resource support for community programs through professional development opportunities. In the realm of state-funded AEL, the Coalition offers two innovative and groundbreaking services: the Adult Education and Literacy Call Center – a referral service for adult learners in North Texas – and the newly established Orientation & Testing Team – responsible for handling all new student orientations, pre- and post-testing for our local consortium. He holds a master’s degree in Library Science from the University of North Texas.

Jackie Aguilera

Jackie Aguilera, Project Manager of the Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy (MOAL) Houston, has dedicated more than three decades of her life to tutoring, teaching, training, consulting, serving student support services for “at risk” college students, and contributing to non-profit leadership for community based adult literacy organizations. She was recently nationally recognized as one of 2021’s Mujeres Legendarias de Ford (a legendary Latina woman) for education through technology.

Jackie has led many literacy initiatives and projects including the McGraw Hill sponsored Financial Literacy Carnival, Houston Money Week, [email protected] program, the Houston Area Adult Literacy Collective, and the 2019 Xprize Tier 3 winning team, the Adult Literacy Partners of Houston. As an advocate, she is one of two Texas State Advocates for Adult Education Fellows through COABE. Her current position at MOAL allows her to explore literacy innovation on an expanded scale and to help the team develop support for providers across the nation.

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