The conference theme and focuses come from YOU.
We use your responses to our Annual Survey to invite presenters and structure a program that best reflects what you need right now.
2025 Conference Theme
“Literacy looks like this”
Thanks to those who suggested this, or something similar, in the 2024 Annual Survey!
Why this theme?
There’s so much more to literacy than classrooms and whiteboards.
What does literacy look like in your part of the world?
How are folks in your programs linking their learning to family, work, and life outside the classroom?
There’s no one “right” way for literacy to look! We’ll showcase literacy in all its breadth, diversity, and beauty with “Literacy looks like this.”
We’re planning a variety of sessions that explore this idea from different angles – an exploration of the many ways the world can open up for Texas adults and families once they’ve achieved the literacy level they want and need.
2025 conference theme coming soon.
2025 Focuses
In the 2024 Annual Survey, you told us your highest-priority topics were:
- Clear communication, particularly for low-literate audiences
- Forming and maintaining community partnerships
- Understanding literacy in a wider context
- Integrating workplace and technology skills into lessons
- Helping low-literate students in reading and English classes
We’re prioritizing these topics as we’re putting together this year’s conference program, inviting special guest presenters, and will highlight them when we select sessions from our Request for Proposals.
2025 focus topics coming soon.
2025 Featured Presenters
Additional guest speakers and featured presenters will be added as they are confirmed.
2025 guest speakers and featured presenters coming soon.
Mahalia Baldini
AEL State Director
Texas Workforce Commission
Opening Speaker – Tuesday, August 5:
“The State of the State in Adult Education”
Session pending
What’s new in Adult Education and Literacy across Texas? What role do community-based organizations play in meeting the literacy challenges of the state?
Mahalia Baldini was named the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) State Director in September 2020 after serving as the program’s supervisor for over six years. She earned her B.A in Journalism from the University of Kentucky and her Master’s in Education from Texas State University. Mrs. Baldini has spent the last fifteen years integrating workforce and economic development with educational solutions that center on outcomes for low and middle skill workers. She believes in and values a system that supports equitable education and learning opportunities that focus on an individual’s academic preparedness and advancement as well as the social and emotional intelligence needed to contribute to a positive work culture aligned to employer needs.
Sarah Glazer
Clear Language Lab Senior Program Manager
Literacy Works
Featured Breakout Session Presenter
Plain Language for the Classroom
Creating Accessible Content for Our Neurodiverse World
Plain Language 101
Co-Designing With Learners
Sarah (she/her) is the Senior Program Manager for the Clear Language Lab at Literacy Works, a Chicago-based non-profit. In her role with Clear Language Lab, Sarah trains hundreds of professionals each year on plain language strategies to create materials their audience can easily use and understand.
Before joining Literacy Works, Sarah taught adult ESL and her experiences with adult learners informed how she thinks about communication. Through this work she hopes to challenge systemic injustice by making information accessible and usable for those who need it.
Bhavani Kola
Dept. Chair Mathematics
Tarrant County College
Featured Breakout Session Presenter
Sessions pending
With over 24 years of experience in education and educational technology, Bhavani Kola is a dynamic keynote speaker, AI literacy advocate, and passionate educator. Currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Technology, Bhavani specializes in making advanced AI concepts, such as prompt engineering, accessible to educators, administrators, and non-technical professionals.
Through engaging presentations and interactive workshops, Bhavani empowers audiences to harness AI’s transformative potential in education and beyond. Known for her storytelling and innovative approaches, she simplifies complex topics to inspire practical application and drive meaningful change. Bhavani is certified in Deep Learning, Machine Learning, and Data Analytics, further demonstrating her commitment to advancing the integration of AI in education.
Julio Medina
Academic Advisor III
West Texas A&M University
Featured Breakout Session Presenter
Standards in Action: Cultivating a Language and Content Focus for English Learners
Julio A. Medina is an experienced professional in adult education, workforce development, curriculum development, and instructional design with over a decade of experience. Currently an Academic Advisor III at West Texas A&M University, he specializes in creating accessible learning pathways, aligning education with workforce needs, and fostering student success.
Julio has served in various roles, including Career Pathways Specialist, Career Counseling and Skill Development Manager, where he developed expertise in curriculum development, professional training, and community partnerships. Passionate about supporting diverse populations, he has worked extensively with justice-involved individuals, English language learners, and rural communities.
With a Project Management Certificate from Google and fluency in both English and Spanish, Julio holds a BA in Psychology from Texas Tech University and is pursuing an MBA at West Texas A&M University. A passionate advocate for education, he is actively involved in his community, supporting underserved populations and promoting access to resources that empower individuals.
Rachel Muir
Fundraiser & Thought Leader
RachelMuir.com
Pre-Conference Breakout Session Presenter
Get Your Board on Board: How to Build the Board of Your Dreams (and get them fundraising)
Rachel Muir has worked every side of the Rubik’s cube that is the nonprofit sector. When she was just 26 years old, Rachel launched Girlstart, a non-profit organization to empower girls in math, science, engineering, and technology in the living room of her apartment with $500 and a credit card. Several years later she had raised over 10 million dollars and was featured on Oprah, CNN, and the Today show.
A winner of Oprah Winfrey’s Use Your Life award, Rachel is a three-time finalist for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award, was named “Outstanding Fundraising Executive of the Year” by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and one of Fast Company Magazines “Fast 50″ Champions of Innovation. Rachel has been featured in the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Fundraising Success, Fast Company, Glamour, and Texas Monthly. Her career spans leading an online fundraising consulting practice and managing major gift portfolios for some of the country’s largest and most successful nonprofit brands.
Rachel is a sought-after speaker, trainer and internationally recognized nonprofit founder and thought leader.
Sebastian Ramos
Director of Training
National Runaway Safeline
Featured Breakout Session Presenter
Standards in Action: Cultivating a Language and Content Focus for English Learners
Sebastian Ramos is a dedicated professional with over 17 years of experience in training, program development, and professional growth. He has worked extensively with individuals across diverse backgrounds, focusing on trauma, mental health, and workforce development. As a National Director of Training, Sebastian is passionate about creating impactful programs that empower individuals and organizations. His expertise lies in fostering resilience, enhancing professional competencies, and driving meaningful change through evidence-based practices and innovative approaches.
Michael Saenz
Adult Education Specialist
Education Service Center Region 19
Featured Breakout Session Presenter
Standards in Action: Cultivating a Language and Content Focus for English Learners
Michael Saenz has been dedicated to Adult Education for nearly 20 years, with experience teaching a variety of subjects, including all levels of ESL, Career and College Exploration, English and Spanish HSE, and Computer Literacy. He has contributed to the Career Pathways Professional Development Center and currently serves as an Adult Education Specialist with Education Service Center Region 19 in El Paso, Texas. His extensive background in adult learning and professional development makes him a valuable resource for both educators and students.
Keighty Ward
Community Literacy Program Director
Literacy Works
Featured Breakout Session Presenter
Building a Reflective Teaching Practice
Welcoming Emergent Literacy Learners to Your Program
Co-Designing With Learners
Keighty (they/them) began their work as an educational ASL interpreter and quickly became interested in the teaching they were interpreting. They taught English as a Second Language for three years, while pursuing their M.A in Applied Linguistics. Their thesis focused on d/Deaf adult English learners, which led them to become interested in adult education specifically.
They spent many years teaching ESL and Citizenship before transitioning to Literacy Works where they support community literacy educators. They have presented at several conferences on various topics including, adult education, inclusive teaching and learning, and popular education. Through their work they hope to help make education accessible and equal for all who seek it.
In their spare time, Keighty loves to grow vegetables, practice art making, or watch their cats run around in the yard.
Texas-sized thanks to our 2025 conference sponsors!
Conference Partners
Conference Presenting Sponsor – Platinum Level
Gold-Level Sponsor
Don't forget your conference swag!
Caps, t-shirts in multiple styles, mugs, travel mugs, stationery, and more… all available in the Literacy Texas online store. All profits support literacy in Texas AND you can rep the literacy cause in style!
Browse the whole store here, or click on the images below to see the 2024 Annual Conference collection.
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Checked/updated 1/8/2025
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