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Best of Texas: Adult Learner Persistence & Retention

September 18, 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. 

Read more about the Best of Texas monthly online series.

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, November 13, 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

Most adult students know what they need and why they want to learn. How can we always put them at the very center of their own learning process, and make the learning experience one they actually look forward to?

Primary Topic Area
professional development topic - instructional theory, methodology, research
Session will also cover:
professional development topic - access for everyone
professional development topic - staff & program management for nonprofits
Audience
training session audience - general audience
Level
training session level -intermediate
Texas AEL PD Category

Assigned by TCALL

Pending

Texas AEL PD category - LIT
Texas AEL PD category - PAL
Texas AEL PD category - OTHER

Read more about the PD categories on the TCALL website.

See the full Texas AEL Guide.

Other info:

No other info available at this time.

GUESTS THIS MONTH

Borjon, Ashley

Ashley Borjon
Adult Education Program Director
Literacy Council of Fort Bend County

Ashley Borjon brings over 20 years of experience in management, instruction, and facilitation, with a career dedicated to adult education, workforce readiness, and community engagement. She currently serves as Program Director with the Literacy Council of Fort Bend County, where she leads initiatives that strengthen adult education and community partnerships.

A skilled consultant and instructional designer, Ashley’s focus includes program development, digital literacy, and career readiness training. Passionate about creating equitable learning opportunities, she champions innovation and empowerment through education. 

headshot placeholder

Diana Delgado
BakerRipley

Bio pending.

Spruce, Gloria

Gloria Spruce
President & CEO
Adult Education Center

Gloria Taylor Spruce is an accomplished nonprofit executive, public speaker, trainer, mentor, and fundraiser with more than a decade of experience advancing education, workforce development, and economic mobility across the Houston–Galveston region.

She serves as President & CEO of the Adult Education Center in Pearland, Texas, where she leads programs that connect adult learners to training, employment, and career growth through strong partnerships with employers, workforce boards, and community organizations. Under her leadership, the Center has expanded collaborations with corporate, civic, and educational partners and increased fundraising capacity to support equitable access to education and workforce opportunities.

Gloria is also the founder of Refined Solutions Group, a consulting firm specializing in organizational development, leadership training, and strategic planning for nonprofits and small businesses. Deeply committed to community service, she serves on multiple boards and advisory committees that focus on education, equity, and systemic change.

Recognized for her dynamic leadership, collaborative approach, and engaging speaking style, Gloria empowers individuals and organizations to overcome barriers, strengthen partnerships, and lead with purpose, vision, and measurable impact.

Host:

Aguilera-Jackie-2-v2-300px

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

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!

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 -

click here to go to the literacy texas calendar
click here to see the national literacy calendar

Or get news directly from Literacy Texas:

Thank you so much for your interest!

This event is now over.

Checked/updated 10/23/25

Tagged With: abe, adult literacy, cbo, community, esl, ideas, literacy programs, persistence, plain language, professional development, program administrators, research based, webinar, workforce

The Expert Edge: Progress by Design

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!

Thank you so much for your interest!

This event is now over.

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

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
professional development topic - instructional theory, methodology, research
Session will also cover:
professional development topic - staff & program management for nonprofits
professional development topic - volunteer support and management
Audience
training session audience - general audience
Level
training session level - beginner
Texas AEL PD Category

Assigned by TCALL

Texas AEL PD category - LIT
Texas AEL PD category - PAL
Texas AEL PD category - OTHER

Read more about the PD categories on the TCALL website.

See the full Texas AEL Guide.

Other info:

No other info available at this time.

MEET THE PRESENTER

Bauchelle, Kathryn

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

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!

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 1.5 hours 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 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!

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 -

click here to go to the literacy texas calendar
click here to see the national literacy calendar

Or get news directly from Literacy Texas:

Last checked/updated: 10/14/25

Tagged With: adult literacy, cbo, esl, ideas, instructors, literacy programs, persistence, plain language, professional development, research based, webinar

The Expert Edge: Plain Language

July 31, 2024 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!

Thank you so much for your interest!

This event is now over.

This online session will be held on:

Thursday, November 7, from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM (CT).

Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 1:20 PM.

Join us for “Plain Language for Clearer Communication & Better Understanding.”

This literacy training session will focus on the importance of using plain language with adult literacy students. Presenter Kathryn Bauchelle will take us through some reasons to make plain language a priority, and some practical ways to incorporate it into your programs.

This training session is offered free of charge to Texas nonprofit professionals who work in the fields of adult and family literacy. The session provides 1.5 hours of professional development.

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!

ABOUT THIS TRAINING SESSION

Simplifying the way we communicate with one another can benefit everybody. Focusing on Plain Language means that the highest priority of a document, speech, or other piece of communication is being understood.

Most of us already start with that priority – but it’s very easy for other aspects to get in the way, without us even being conscious of them. Sometimes we give too much information. Sometimes we use big words in an effort to sound knowledgeable. Other times our layout, or word choices (like using too many idioms, for example), or other factors, can get in the way of clear understanding.

Plain Language can particularly benefit adult learners. When someone is learning English, or learning to read, having information made as clear as possible can make a huge difference. 

Speaking and writing plainly is an intentional approach that we adopt in order to help those around us. Plain Language is not an exact science – but there are some guiding principles that can help us. Come along to this session to learn about some of those principles, and have a chance to practice them with peers and in a learning environment.

Bauchelle, Kathryn

Presenter: Kathryn Bauchelle

Kathryn began her plain language journey in Houston, in around 2010. Directing a volunteer-based adult literacy program at that time, it became very clear to her that too many things – from new student orientation sessions, to flyers, to intake forms, to much more – were simply too complex for the students. Over the next few years, she and the programs team overhauled pretty much everything – always with clear communication as the main goal.

Kathryn’s background is in literacy, language acquisition, and education. She has worked in the Texas adult literacy field since moving to Houston in 2008.

PD Certificates

Someone who completes the full session will receive X hours 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.

Downloads

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 to:

[presenter]

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

The Texas Workforce Commission

STAY IN THE KNOW -

click here to go to the literacy texas calendar
click here to see the national literacy calendar

Or get news directly from Literacy Texas:

Checked/updated: 11/7/24

Tagged With: adult literacy, cbo, ideas, learning differences, literacy programs, plain language, professional development, research based, webinar

Sign up for our newsletter and receive adult literacy news and events.

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  • Home
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    • Annual Conference
      • Location & Venue
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      • Schedule & Program
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      • Scholarships & Grants
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    • Best of Texas
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