Find confirmed 2026 conference presenters and speakers below, alphabetically by last name.
This page will be updated as additional presenters and sessions are confirmed.
This page will be kept as current as possible, but all information is subject to change.
This page will be updated with 2025 presenters shortly.
Interested in presenting? The 2026 RFP will open soon.
Interested in presenting? The 2026 RFP is open now.
Thanks for coming to the 2025 Literacy Texas Annual Conference!
This page will be updated in the new year for the 2026 conference.
Jacqueline Aguilera
Community Liaison & Program Host
Literacy Texas
Group Chat IRL
Networking Happy Hour
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.
Rina Alcala
PD Portal Manager
TCALL (Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy & Learning)
Rina Alcala is the PD Portal Manager for the Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy and Learning (TCALL).
In this role, she manages the Professional Development Portal, supporting adult education and literacy professionals across Texas by helping ensure access to quality training resources and professional development opportunities.
Karin Bates
TESOL Specialist
Intercambio Uniting Communities
Karin Bates is the TESOL Specialist at Intercambio Uniting Communities in Boulder, Colorado. She holds an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and brings over 35 years of experience teaching adult English learners across diverse settings.
Prior to Intercambio, Karin worked with immigrant and refugee communities at the Immigrant and Refugee Center of Northern Colorado, where she helped develop collaborative programming with the High Plains Library District. At Intercambio, she supports curriculum development and volunteer teacher training, and regularly presents at regional and national conferences on effective, accessible approaches to adult language learning.
Paula Bauer
PD Specialist
TCALL (Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy & Learning)
Paula holds an MBA in Management Information Systems and a BBA in Personnel Administration of Industrial Relations/Personnel Management of Organizational Behavior. With 25 years of experience in Adult Education, she has served as a Program Director for a Family Literacy Program and a Professional Development Specialist with TCALL. She has also been a member of the TCALL Training of Trainers (TOT) group for the past year.
As the PD specialist for Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and Volunteer Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) programs in Texas, Paula addresses the training needs of Volunteer/CBO providers. She facilitates coordination with state and regional literacy coalitions, TWC-funded providers, and capacity-building projects. Paula is the point of contact for professional development expertise and supports local adult education and literacy providers statewide.
Paula manages professional development information and networking, liaising with state and regional literacy coalitions and TWC-funded capacity-building projects. She coordinates and communicates opportunities through the statewide email list for CBOs/VOLs in Texas. Paula participates in regular planning and strategy meetings with PD Center Specialists and leadership, keeping up with trends in the field. She delivers training according to statewide priorities and schedules. Additionally, Paula manages the Resource Collection group within TCALL, overseeing the production, inventory, and distribution of training materials, and supervises student workers in customer service and materials distribution.
Julia Campbell
Principal
Marketing for the Modern Nonprofit
Featured Breakout Session Presenter
Named as a top thought leader and one to follow by Forbes and LinkedIn for Nonprofits, and one of the 30 Nonprofit IT Influencers to Follow in 2025, Julia Campbell is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to designing social media and storytelling strategies that help nonprofits share their mission across the digital landscape.
An international keynote speaker and host of the acclaimed Nonprofit Nation podcast, she’s written two books for nonprofits on social media and storytelling, and her online courses, webinars, and talks have helped hundreds of nonprofits make the shift to digital thinking.
You can learn more about Julia at www.jcsocialmarketing.com/blog
Dr. Kelly Coke
Provost
Texas State Technical College
& Literacy Texas Board Member
Group Chat IRL
Dr. Kelly Coke has extensive experience in higher education and government, currently serving as Provost at a technical college. She has previously held roles as a faculty member, faculty chair, Vice President of Student Success, Senior Director of Workforce Policy, Off-Campus Program Director, East Texas Deputy Regional Director for the United States Senate, and Intern for Former First Lady Mrs. Laura Bush at The White House. Dr. Coke’s career spans a university, community college, state agency, and technical college, reinforcing her commitment to removing barriers for students seeking degree or certificate completion in urban and rural communities. She is also a published scholarly author.
A sixth-generation Texan from Titus County, Dr. Coke values her family’s deep roots in ranching, farming, and education. She strives to create educational pathways that align with workforce needs, ensuring a supportive environment for diverse learners and empowering others with the belief that knowledge is power. Dr. Coke is a proud graduate of Leadership Austin Essential, Texas Women Leadership, and Leadership Mount Pleasant, and she is the recipient of the 12 Under 12 Young Alumni Award from her undergraduate alma mater, Texas A&M University.
David Coles
Adult Education Trainer & Coordinator
Memorial Assistance Ministries
Group Chat IRL
David Coles is an Adult Education Trainer and Coordinator at Memorial Assistance Ministries in Houston, where he supports large‑scale volunteer‑led adult ESL, citizenship, and digital literacy programs. He trains and coaches volunteer instructors and develops practical instructional resources focused on engagement, accessibility, and learner persistence.
With a background in music education and a master’s degree as a literacy specialist, David brings a strong understanding of adult learning theory paired with real‑world program experience. He is passionate about helping community‑based programs strengthen instruction while supporting the volunteers who make adult literacy possible.
Wayne Crandall
Professional Development Specialist
TCALL (Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy & Learning)
Wayne Crandall has been in adult education for more than 20 years. He has taught both ABE/ASE and ESL classes, has been an AEL Program coordinator, and is an AEL Trainer.
He is currently a Field Professional Development Specialist with the TRAIN PD @TCALL, where he develops PD content, trains adult education teachers and assists Texas Adult Education programs with their professional development needs.
Andrea Echelberger
LESLLA
Featured Breakout Session Presenter
Andrea Echelberger has worked in the field of adult education as a classroom teacher and an instructional trainer for over 20 years, providing training and support for English language teachers on both a state and national level.
Andrea has worked extensively with refugee-background adult emergent readers, served as an EL Fellow and EL Specialist with the US State Department, and has developed a wide variety of workshops and classroom instructional materials for ABE teachers of all levels. She served for three years on the international board of LESLLA, an organization that focuses on adult emergent readers. Andrea’s favorite areas of research are universal design for classrooms, healing-centered classroom practices, and pronunciation instruction.
Melanie Fisk, MSW, MBA
Principal & Founder
Adaptive Ascent Group
Featured Breakout Session Presenter
Sessions go here, linked
Melanie Fisk (MSW, MBA) is an executive strategist and systems builder. Over the past 20+ years, Melanie has led change across nonprofit and public-sector settings, including serving as CEO of Literacy Advance of Houston, where she guided a turnaround and merger that doubled service capacity and expanded wraparound supports. She’s also held senior leadership roles at large, regional community organizations and directed national-scale technical assistance efforts connected to federal initiatives. Her superpower is building environments where great teams can do their best work and where strategy doesn’t live in a file, but is a living, organic part of a truly ground-up, adaptive culture.
In 2025, Melanie launched Adaptive Ascent Group, small boutique consulting firm to help small-to-mid sized organizations turn big goals into day-to-day momentum. She has gathered a team of systems builders and “implementation translators” who love the messy middle where strategy meets real people, AND real-world constraints. Together they aim to be your favorite thought partner. You know, the one who is grounded, will tell you the truth (even when it’s hard), who is just the right amount of wonky, and who loves to help you get stuff done!
When she’s not leading design workshops or geeking out with a new read, Melanie’s usually in the kitchen cooking something elaborate, hanging out with her two rescue pups, or connecting with a friend, preferably while being outside. She’s especially curious about the seismic shifts facing civil society and how we can reimagine systems for collective resilience. Based in Alexandria, VA, Melanie brings both humor and humanity to her work, and she’s always up for a good question and a deeper conversation.
Dr. Adela Flores
Literacy Coach
Aldine ISD
With over 18 years of teaching experience, Dr. Flores supports multilingual programs and EB learners. Her University of Houston research highlights academic achievement, identifies learning gaps, and offers research-based strategies to improve outcomes for diverse student populations.
As a Literacy Coach, she provides individualized coaching, strengthens instructional delivery, and delivers professional development for teachers and leaders. She has recently presented on AI-driven strategies to elevate learning at conferences, including NABE, TABE, Region 4, BEAM, and others across the region.
Sunja Fraser
Teacher
Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District
Sunja Fraser is a secondary English educator and instructional leader in Texas with nearly a decade of experience in literacy instruction and curriculum development. She has served as an instructional coach and director of curriculum, supporting teachers in aligning data, instruction, and student outcomes. Her work centers on human centered teaching practices that prioritize student voice, identity, and lived experiences to strengthen reading, writing, and critical thinking.
Sunja has presented on literacy, student engagement, and the use of AI in education, and has delivered a TEDx talk focused on the importance of seeing students beyond the data. She is passionate about helping educators move beyond surface level metrics to design instruction that is responsive, meaningful, and impactful for adolescent learners.
Heidi Frazier
Library & Community Services Manager
Harrie P. Woodson Memorial Library
Heidi Frazier serves as the Library & Community Services Manager at the Harrie P. Woodson Memorial Library in Caldwell, Texas. Her passion for books and literacy has been life long, studying liberal arts at Dickinson College and earning a master’s degree in Library Science from North Texas State University.
She educated all three of her children throughout high school. Once they were graduated from college, she began working with the City of Caldwell. The same love of books and literacy drove her to establish and develop an adult basic education program at the library. Working in close partnership with agencies, businesses, churches, nonprofits and volunteers, the library offers education opportunities for GED, ESL, Spanish, digital literacy, and citizenship, all at no cost to students.
The library offers the only adult education services in the county. The Harrie P. Woodson Memorial Library Adult Basic Education program is currently focusing on providing education and direction for disconnected youth.
Featured Breakout Session Presenter
This session will be presented twice
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.
Rodrick Giles
Adult Student
Keynote – Tuesday, July 28
Rodrick is an E2 program graduate who is currently working for his family’s moving business. He is a dedicated individual who has overcome many hurdles to obtain his GED.
He is a father of two and works hard to be an example to his children. He currently has a goal to enroll into trade school for welding.
Jill Gonzalez
Executive Director
Women’s Storybook Project of Texas
Jill Gonzalez, M. Ed. is an advocate for literacy. Her work has been primarily in elementary education and literacy related nonprofit organizations. Since 2018, she has been the executive director of Women’s Storybook Project of Texas, whose mission is to connect children with their incarcerated mothers through the joy of literature.
She is a strong believer in the transformative power of stories and books read aloud. She is a certified Master Reading Teacher and completed her graduate work at U.T. Austin.
Robin Graybill
District Account Manager
Cambridge University Press & Assessment
Robin Graybill is an educator, teacher trainer, and account manager with Cambridge University Press & Assessment. She holds an M.A. in TESOL from San Francisco State University and spent over a decade teaching in the classroom before transitioning into ESL educational publishing.
In her current role, she supports educators by connecting effective pedagogy with practical classroom solutions. Robin is passionate about adult education, language learning, and helping teachers and learners succeed.
Jeannie Hale
Account Executive
Essential Education
Jeannie Hale is a powerhouse in Adult Education with a 20-year track record of driving program growth, workforce alignment, and student success. A seasoned administrator and educator, Jeannie previously served as the Director of Adult Education at Houston Community College, where she managed large-scale grants to expand workforce initiatives.
Now championing Essential Education across Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, Jeannie serves as a strategic partner to regional adult education programs. She doesn’t simply offer a learning management system; she delivers customized implementation strategies grounded in a deep understanding of budget alignment, instructional needs, and measurable outcomes, helping educators maximize resources and achieve undeniable student success.
Mikayla Hodges
Adult Student
Keynote – Tuesday, July 28
Mikayla is an E2 program graduate who is currently working at Goodwill North Central Texas’ transportation department. She worked very hard for several years to obtain her GED as she attended several different GED programs and navigated her learning disability.
Mikayla is a determined and motivated individual who plans to move forward with a career in the logistics warehouse field.
Hadley Jauer
Program Manager
Women’s Storybook Project of Texas
Hadley Jauer, MSW, has been with Women’s Storybook Project for a year and has recently transitioned from Volunteer Manager to Programs Manager. She comes to volunteer and programs management naturally and has worked diligently to build and build up the volunteers at WSP.
Hadley is a dog mom and loves spending time with her babies. Hadley is a south central Texas native.
Taynim Johnson
Customer Manager
Burlington English
Taynim Johnson is a Customer Manager at Burlington English, where she is dedicated to supporting educators and institutions in implementing effective language learning solutions. With a deep passion for literacy and language development, Taynim brings a wealth of experience in customer relations, educational technology, and curriculum management to her role.
Prior to joining Burlington English, she taught ESL in adult education and worked with immigrant and refugee communities in the non-profit sector. From these experiences she gained a unique perspective on both teacher and student needs.
Taynim is committed to advancing literacy in diverse learning communities, and she actively collaborates with educators to implement strategies that promote language proficiency and academic success. She is excited to share her insights and experiences at the conference, focusing on the intersection of technology, language acquisition, and student-centered teaching practices.
Matthew Johnston
Executive Director
Literacy ConneXus
Featured Breakout Session Presenter
Group Chat IRL
Matthew Johnston is an experienced instructional specialist and ESL educator based in Dallas, Texas. Currently, he serves as an ESL and Outreach Catalyst with Forefront Experience, an ESL teacher at the Northwest Community Center in Dallas, and an ESL Support Coordinator and TECs trainer with Literacy ConneXus.
Matthew has a strong background in curriculum development, teaching diverse students, and fostering cross-cultural learning.
Jennifer Knoeber
COO
CommonTeri Services
Jennifer Knoeber is the COO at CommonTeri Services, where she leads customer onboarding, training, and support to help organizations strengthen their program management and data practices. She brings more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit and public sectors, with expertise in program operations, training, change management, and data-informed decision-making.
Jennifer has held leadership roles at the State of Nevada, Jericho Road Dallas, and Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity, where she developed programs, managed large-scale volunteer initiatives, and led organizational growth and transformation. A certified Salesforce Administrator, she specializes in helping organizations translate complex processes into practical, sustainable systems that support stronger outcomes.
Jennifer holds a Master of Public Affairs in Nonprofit Management from Indiana University and began her career as a Peace Corps volunteer in Lithuania. She is passionate about supporting mission-driven organizations in building systems that enable brighter futures for the communities they serve. Outside of work, she enjoys reading and spending time with her dogs.
Nancy Leonhardt
Executive Director
Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas
Nancy Leonhardt has served as the Executive Director of Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas since 2013. She brings to the position over 25 years in non-profits and 14 years as a leader in Rotary International. A native Californian, she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban and Regional Planning from California Polytechnic University, Pomona.
She may be an Arkansan, but her Texas roots run deep on her mother’s side of the family. In addition, her son lives in Houston.
Sarah Lewis
Vice President of Programs
Readers 2 Leaders
Sarah Lewis is the Vice President of Programs at Readers 2 Leaders and a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) and Qualified Instructor. She is also a Dyslexia Therapist recognized by the Academic Language Therapists Association and the state of Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Sarah brings over 20 years of experience working with students and educators in literacy development, including roles as a classroom teacher, reading interventionist, literacy coach, and program consultant. She has extensive experience training educators, families, and community partners in structured literacy and the science of reading, with a focus on practical, research-based strategies that improve outcomes for struggling readers.
In her current role, Sarah leads the design and implementation of Readers 2 Leaders’ literacy programs, including the Family Reading Cohort, which equips caregivers with foundational decoding skills to support reading at home. She has facilitated numerous professional development sessions and cohorts for educators and families and is committed to expanding access to effective literacy instruction for multilingual learners and underserved communities.
Her work centers on building sustainable, high-impact literacy programs that strengthen outcomes for both learners and families.
Dr. Heather McKnight
CEO
Heather McKnight Consulting, LLC
Featured Breakout Session Presenter
Group Chat IRL
Dr. Heather McKnight, DNP, RN, NE-BC is a nurse leader, educator, and health literacy advocate with more than 20 years of experience across healthcare practice and higher education. Her work focuses on improving health outcomes by making health information clear, usable, and accessible for patients, families, and communities.
With a background spanning acute care, nursing education, stroke and Magnet® program development, and systems-level innovation, Dr. McKnight brings a practical, experience-driven approach to health literacy and organizational improvement. She is committed to advancing plain language, equitable communication, and sustainable change within healthcare and educational systems.
Chris Miller
National Consultant for Adult Education and Workforce Development
Ms. Miller’s extensive experience as a presenter spans over 25 years, providing professional development in the field of adult education. She has presented conference presentations and conducted pre-conference workshops on a state, regional, and national level.
Before retiring, she served as a professional development specialist on the state level in Alabama. Last year, in 2025, she presented over 50 presentations in 16 states. She has also worked with several states providing 2-day workshop training lasting six to eight hours for each session.
Catherine D. Netter, MS
Professional Development Center Specialist
TCALL (Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy & Learning)
Catherine D. Netter is a Professional Development Center Specialist at the Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy & Learning (TCALL) at Texas A&M University. She holds a master’s degree in adult education and brings extensive cross-sector experience in education, workforce development, and the criminal justice system.
Catherine has served as a training specialist in leadership and equity studies across the US and as an adjunct instructor in criminal justice, law enforcement academies, and continuing education at multiple community colleges. Her professional background also includes roles as a law enforcement supervisor in detention services, background investigator and recruiter, executive administrative director, and adult probation and parole officer. In addition, she is certified in training and facilitation by the Association of Talent Development.
Catherine’s diverse experience—from K–12 classrooms to justice-involved populations—deeply informs her work supporting adult educators and workforce professionals.
Beth Ponder
Director of Professional Development
TCALL (Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy & Learning)
Beth Ponder is the Director of Professional Development for the Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy & Learning (TCALL) at Texas A & M University. In that role, Ms. Ponder oversees identifying and developing trainings for local service providers and state-wide initiatives. Beth leads the content development team at TCALL and is the lead on the Leadership Excellence Academy.
Prior to joining TCALL, Ms. Ponder was the Associate Director at the Center for Literacy, Education & Employment (CLEE) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In that role, she served as the project director for the LINCS Region 2 Professional Development Center, a project funded by the Office of Technical, Career and Adult Education (OCTAE), U.S. Department of Education in addition to serving as a national LINCS trainer.
Elinore Ramos
Customer Manager
BurlingtonEnglish
Elinore Ramos has been with BurlingtonEnglish for almost four years. Having recently been promoted from Customer Representative to Customer Manager, she finds herself enjoying the change and challenging herself to continue learning as an advocate for lifelong learning.
With a background as a second-grade teacher from a low-socioeconomic public school, she has a unique perspective on community development and needs. As many believe children are the future, we often forget that their parents are the present.
She is proud to say that she works for a company that partners with leaders in community development, and she is even more proud to say that her two degrees from Texas State University have led her to where she is today. Once a Bobcat, always a Bobcat!
Irene Ramos
Vice President
TALAE
Featured Breakout Session Presenter
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.
Sarah Richardson
Executive Director
Literacy Council of the Ouachitas
Sarah Richardson has served as the executive director of the Literacy Council of the Ouachitas since July 2020, leading the organization to increase its impact by over 400% through expanded services, increased funding, and outreach to multiple counties. Under her leadership, the council successfully secured additional state literacy funding and launched innovative programs to bridge education and workforce development.
With a background in early childhood and special education, Sarah holds a master’s degree in educational leadership and is currently a PhD Candidate in Change Leadership at The University of Central Arkansas. A dedicated advocate for lifelong learning, she has spearheaded collaborative efforts to improve adult literacy, economic mobility, and community resilience.
In addition to her professional work, Sarah is actively engaged in her community through leadership roles in the Hot Springs Area Chamber, National Park College Foundation, and Rotary. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, kayaking, hiking, and traveling with her family.
Dr. Kyle Roberson
Assistant Professor, Family and Consumer Sciences Education
Texas Tech University
Featured Breakout Session Presenter
Dr. Kyle Roberson has over 24 years of teaching and training experience. He served more than 21 years in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves, including ten years as a Drill Sergeant training new soldiers. He also spent 20 years with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. As supervisor of education, he oversaw all inmate academic, vocational, recreational, and continuing education programs. He expanded college participation by collaborating with a contracted institution to introduce transcripted undergraduate certificates. He improved GED pass rates by using reciprocal teaching strategies, structured incentives, and increased testing opportunities. He also added new vocational programs to support reentry success.
Dr. Roberson is currently an assistant professor in the Family and Consumer Sciences Education program at Texas Tech University, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses. He is a past president of Phi Upsilon Omicron and continues to serve as a chapter advisor. He holds a South Dakota teaching license with multiple endorsements. His research focuses on inmate programming, reentry, families of the incarcerated, FCS teacher recruitment, and family literacy. He has 22 peer-reviewed publications in academic journals and has authored a children’s book about making friends.
Bleidy Robins
Adult Student
Keynote – Tuesday, July 28
Bleidy is currently studying English as a Second Language at Goodwill North Central Texas. She is from Colombia where she worked as a systems engineer specializing in planning for major construction projects. About five years ago, she moved to the United States. Since then, she has gained work experience as a server and administrative assistant before becoming an entrepreneur.
Bleidy currently runs her own business as an insurance agent and sells used cars. She is focused on improving her English skills and looks forward to what the future holds.
Dr. Glenda L. Rose
Director
TCALL (Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy & Learning)
Glenda L. Rose, Ph.D., is a nationally recognized leader in adult education and literacy with nearly four decades of experience spanning instruction, program leadership, research, and professional development. As Managing Director of the Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy & Learning (TCALL) at Texas A&M University, she leads statewide initiatives that support innovation, quality, and impact across adult education programs.
Dr. Rose is an engaging and sought-after presenter known for translating research into practical strategies educators can use immediately. Her areas of expertise include program management, digital literacy and resilience, instructional planning for different modalities (online, hybrid, and face-to-face), distance learning, career pathways, and teaching multilingual adult learners. She has delivered hundreds of workshops, conference sessions, and keynotes at state, national, and international venues, including COABE, TESOL, and SXSW EDU.
A published author and experienced consultant, Dr. Rose brings deep expertise in program development, technology integration, and workforce-focused education. She partners with organizations to design engaging learning experiences that improve outcomes for adult learners and the educators who serve them.
Lara Speights
Children’s Museum Houston – Director of Strategic Projects & Neuhaus Education Center – Research Coordinator
Featured Breakout Session Presenter
Lisa Stewart, MBA, CAE
Executive Director
Literacy Coalition of Central Texas
Lisa M. Stewart, MBA, CAE, is the Literacy Coalition of Central Texas’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Literacy Coalition provides adult basic education, high school equivalency certification, career readiness, job training, parenting, and school readiness services to adults and families in Central Texas. Stewart grew up in Pasadena, Texas, and moved to Central Texas in 2018 after focusing on higher education in Washington, DC.
Stewart’s role today elevates her passion for literacy and education by helping the Central Texas community grow, thrive, and achieve livable employment. Under her leadership, the organization transitioned to a community-based service model, increased funding from state, city, and foundation partners, and remodeled its curriculum to meet the challenges of today’s adult students. Most recently, she has led the development of a data-driven services model, launched an advocacy platform to advance adult literacy policy, and established Literacy Pulse, a thought-leadership article series that elevates issues and voices across the adult literacy field.
Before becoming CEO of the Literacy Coalition, Stewart served as Chief Financial Officer. In her career, Lisa M. Stewart earned recognition as a Non-Profit Finance Leader and was awarded CFO of the Year Rising Star for the Greater Washington, DC Area. She is also a first-time children’s book author with a debut title set for publication later this year.
Dr. ET
Founder
Dr. ET & Company LLC
Featured Breakout Session Presenter
Dr. ET’s sessions will each be presented twice
Dr. Edith Treviño—known as “Dr. ET”—is a nationally recognized teacher, consultant, speaker, and author with 25+ years in Pre-K–12 education. Founder of Dr. ET & Company LLC, she is a passionate advocate for language and literacy who empowers all students and equips educators and families to support their success.
A proud immigrant from Mexico and U.S. Army Reserves veteran, she brings authenticity, joy, and lasting impact to schools and communities nationwide.
Kylie VanderMeulen
Lead Teacher Trainer
Ellii
Kylie is the Lead Teacher Trainer at Ellii, where she supports teachers and administrators in making the most of Ellii’s resources. With years of experience as an ESL instructor and program administrator, she brings a deep understanding of both the day-to-day realities and broader challenges in adult education.
Kylie is passionate about helping educators create interactive, engaging lessons that motivate learners and make a lasting impact.
Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker
Executive Director
Literacy Texas
Keynote – Wednesday, July 29: “Future Focus”
Dr. Sherry Watts
Educator
Harmony Empowerment College and Career Academy
Dr. Sherry Watts, Ed.D., is an educator, curriculum architect, and professional development facilitator whose work is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: that every teacher — new or seasoned, struggling or thriving — belongs in the classroom and deserves the tools to prove it.
With over a decade of classroom experience in Fort Worth Independent School District in Fort Worth, Texas, Dr. Watts built her practice in the intersection of technology, communication, and student empowerment. As a teacher of 8th grade Microsoft Products and Professional Communication — a high school credit course designed to bridge the gap between middle school learning and real-world professional skills — she developed a deep understanding of what it means to meet learners exactly where they are and walk them toward where they are capable of going.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Watts has dedicated her career to developing curriculum and facilitating professional development experiences that equip educators with the self-awareness, observational skills, and practical strategies needed to truly thrive. She is the creator of the R.O.S.E. Framework, a research-informed professional development system that guides educators through four essential pillars of growth: Reflect, Observe, Strategize, and Engage.
Dr. Watts is the forthcoming author of “You Belong in the Classroom:A Practical Guide to Thriving in the Classroom,” a practitioner-driven guide for new and struggling teachers grounded in over 20 years of lived experience and educational research. She is an emerging voice for professional development sessions, seminars, and conferences where educators gather to grow.
Lauren Weber
Digital Opportunity Outreach Coordinator
Texas Broadband Development Office
Lauren Weber is the Digital Opportunity Outreach Coordinator for the Broadband Development Office (BDO) under the office of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. The BDO is focused on closing the digital divide by expanding broadband access, adoption, and digital literacy across Texas.
Lauren joined the BDO with a background in education, most recently as a public school teacher in Austin ISD. Her firsthand experience in the education sector exposed her to the impact of the digital divide on her students and their families, motivating her to work towards bridging that gap for all Texans.
Katie Welch, Ph.D.
Teacher Trainer
Literacy ConneXus
Featured Breakout Session Presenter
Katie Welch, Ph.D., is a university instructor, program director, teacher trainer, and active volunteer in adult education classrooms. She currently serves as Interim Director of the English Language Institute at the University of Texas at Arlington and teaches courses preparing educators for adult ESOL classrooms.
Katie has trained ESOL educators working in adult education, community-based programs, and K–12 schools. She spent seven years with the Emerging Teacher Institute at UNT Dallas and regularly provides professional development for adult ESOL teachers through partnerships with Cambridge University Press & Assessment, Literacy ConneXus, and Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy and Learning (T-CALL).
The U.S. Department of State English Language Specialist Program selected Katie for projects supporting English teacher development in Poland and Turkey. She has also served as President and Treasurer of TexTESOL V and was named TexTESOLer of the Year in 2024. Her research and classroom ideas have been published in American Speech and Language.
Gareth Wingfield
PD Specialist
TCALL (Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy & Learning)
Gareth Wingfield is a life-long adult educator. He has more than 20 years of experience with English as a Second Language and High School Equivalency instruction, and served as a full time adult educator in both area over the course of 17 years. During that time he also developed a specialty as a math tutor and trainer of teachers, as well as serving as distance learning coordinator.
He served as a program coordinator for the Distance Education Professional Development Center before transitioning, where he helped develop trainings and presentations as well as leading the development of the Digital Literacy Toolkit before transitioning to a Professional Development Specialist position with the Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy and Learning (TCALL).
Chasity Wright
Assessment Solutions Consultant
DRC
Chasity Wright is an Assessment Solutions Consultant with DRC (Data Recognition Corporation). She has an in-depth knowledge of TABE and TABE CLAS-E and effectively provides consultation, training and support to Adult Education programs across the county.
Chasity is a graduate of the State University of New York at New Paltz and holds a degree in Speech Language Pathology.
Kathy Zarate
AEL State Director
Texas Workforce Commission
Opening Speaker – Tuesday, July 28:
“The State of the State in Adult Education”
Kathy Zarate is a seasoned strategic leader with a proven track record of advancing postsecondary pathways across Texas. With over 15 years of experience, she brings deep expertise in policy implementation and cross-sector consulting.
A first-generation college graduate of Baylor University, Kathy also holds advanced degrees from St. Mary’s University (MPA, JD). Prior to joining TWC as Director of AEL, Kathy served as Managing Director of Strategic Services at MAYA Consulting, leading K12 and postsecondary initiatives for a diverse range of organizations.
At the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), she managed the impactful Texas OnCourse District Fellowship and led initiatives aimed at improving developmental education through corequisite coursework implementation.
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