Funded by the Professional Development Support for Nonprofit Adult Literacy Organizations grant from the Texas Workforce Commission, regional symposia provide free professional development for volunteers and staff of nonprofit, community-based organizations.
Your local symposium is an excellent place to learn and network with other literacy providers in your region, and a great source of professional development for volunteer instructors.
QUICK LINKS FOR THE CENTRAL TEXAS SYMPOSIUM:
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BASIC DETAILS
The 2025 Central Texas Literacy Symposium is co-presented by the Literacy Coalition of Central Texas and Literacy Texas.
The symposium has the theme “Literacy Matters: Empowering Every Adult” and will be held on:
Thursday, April 17, from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM (CT)
Check-in for registered participants will open at 8:00 AM.
This symposium is offered free of charge to Texas nonprofit professionals who work in the fields of adult and family literacy. See Symposium FAQs for more information.
SYMPOSIUM FAQs
Click on a question to see the answer.
A: Literacy Texas does have an annual conference! It’s held every summer.
Our regional symposia are separate to the conference.
Each symposium:
- Takes place in a different Texas region to help minimize travel
- Has a local focus
- Is free to attend
- Is generally a single day (some symposia are 2 days)
- Includes workshops for both classroom instructors and program administrators
- Is the primary training Literacy Texas offers for literacy volunteers
- Offers 5+ hours of professional development
A: Anyone interested in adult and family literacy in Texas is welcome at the symposium. The people who will gain the most are instructors at community-based adult and family literacy organizations and nonprofits.
Volunteer tutors and teachers are especially welcome!
When we create the symposium program, we use the broadest definition of “literacy”, to include all of Adult Foundational Education: adult basic education, English as an additional language, high school equivalency, digital literacy, and workforce readiness, along with other kinds of teaching and learning.
Two words: LOCAL + FREE!
Each symposium program focuses on the local needs of the region. When you complete our Annual Survey every year, we use the results to invite speakers and presenters on topics you said you particularly wanted and needed.
Furthermore, registration is free. You won’t need a large budget for travel or an overnight stay, in the vast majority of cases. We hope that many folks from the same organization can come to the symposium – there’s no limit on how many people can attend from one place. It’s a lot harder to send lots of people to conferences, since we know costs stack up pretty quickly.
A: The symposium is free to attend. Literacy Texas will cover the costs of your tuition, any meals and snacks offered, materials, and other resources.
Please be aware that in recent years, between 25% and 40% of registrants are no-shows at our training events. Every one of these costs us money (since we’ve already paid for food, materials, and more).
If you’ve registered for a Literacy Texas event but then find you can no longer attend, PLEASE get in touch to cancel your registration.
A: Yes! Literacy Texas offers PD credit in conjunction with TCALL.
Certificates of completion will be awarded after the event. Complete the survey after the training is finished to give your details and get your certificate. Surveys will be sent via email in the days following the training.
LOCATION
This symposium will be held at Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA), 3100 Alvin Devane Blvd, Building B, Austin, TX 78741.
FREE ONLINE REGISTRATION
This session has reached capacity and we are forming a waitlist.
Use the registration button below to add your name to the list.
Registration for this session has now closed
REMINDER: CHECK YOUR SPAM
Every online registration will generate an automated email response with further information. If you don’t see it arrive, please check your junk mail!
Online registration has now closed – but we have a few spots available for last-minute registrants! Call us on 972-926-3155 to make arrangements.
PD CERTIFICATES
Someone who completes the full session will receive 5.5 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 in the days following the training.
PROGRAM, SESSIONS, & SPEAKERS
Schedule will be kept as current as possible but is subject to change; check back here for updates
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM: CHECK-IN, BREAKFAST
8:30 AM – 8:45 AM: WELCOME, OPENING REMARKS
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Session 1 (90 min)
Teaching Adults: English Language
This session is designed to help organizations develop or improve their ESL programs.
Participants will learn strategies to develop a curriculum that meets the needs of students with a focus on speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Included are strategies for setting objectives, using appropriate materials, designing effective lesson plans, enhancing engagement, and improving lesson retention, as well as utilizing technology.
The presenters will also cover how to create a program for various proficiency levels, remain culturally sensitive, and flexible for your students. The goal of a successful ESL program is to develop curriculum and classes that encourage language development and add real-world application. Leveraging the success of El Buen’s ESL dynamic program in Central Texas, participants will leave with strategies and tools to create or improve their ESL programs and services.
PD Category (assigned by TCALL): TBD
Room: Dedication
Sergio Gaona, El Buen Samaritano
Sergio is a TEFL-certified ESL teacher with over 15 years of experience, volunteering at El Buen and teaching privately. Teaching is his passion, and he strongly believes in El Buen’s mission to empower and uplift our community. Being part of this work is incredibly rewarding for Sergio and he loves helping his students build confidence and achieve their language goals.
Outside of teaching, Sergio is involved in his church, supporting youth, and when time allows, he enjoys reading and singing opera locally.
Nick Avendano, El Buen Samaritano
Nick has worked with the Adult Education Department of El Buen Samaritano for 4 years. His passion for languages and digital skills have driven his work at El Buen. The work in the Adult Education Department is to emphasize workforce development and provide students with the basic needs to propel them into the workforce.
Digital Literacy in Action: Helping Students Thrive in a Connected World
In today’s interconnected world, students must understand the rights, responsibilities, and opportunities that come with digital engagement. Join us as we explore practical strategies and share ready-to-use resources that empower students to navigate the digital landscape with confidence, critical thinking, and care.
PD Category (assigned by TCALL): TBD
Room: Innovation
Diana Benner, Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA)
Diana Benner has been involved in education for more than 20 years. She has served as an instructional technologist, instructional designer, and an online learning specialist, supporting districts all over Texas and in state government. She loves offering engaging staff development and working with teachers to get them excited about using digital tools in the classroom in order to impact student achievement. She has a Masters of Education in Educational Technology.
Peggy Reimers, Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA)
Peggy facilitates professional development with Google Apps for Education, mobile learning devices, robotics, and other current technology trends. Formerly a public school teacher, she shared her passion for technology and her creative, hands-on approach with elementary students for 26 years. Peggy earned her M.S. in Educational Technology from Lesley University and her B.S. in Elementary Education from Montana State University Billings.
Teaching Adults: Math & Numeracy
Numeracy is a vital component of literacy. It’s a fundamental life skill that empowers individuals to navigate daily challenges. Yet despite its importance, many learners of all ages struggle with math anxiety, self-doubt, and negative perceptions about their mathematical abilities.
This interactive training session is designed to equip everyone, in all positions from any program, with practical strategies to teach math effectively and foster a positive learning environment. Participants will explore how to address math anxiety, differentiate instruction for diverse learners, and take a peek into helpful resources. Attendees will gain tools to assess numeracy skills, track progress, and create learner-centered math experiences.
As a person working with adults who are seeking to improve essential skills, this session will provide valuable insights to enhance your numeracy instruction. Join us to discover how you can help transform anxiety into achievement and build mathematical confidence that lasts a lifetime. Leave not just inspired, but equipped with practical tools and strategies to make a meaningful difference in your learners’ numeracy journeys.
PD Category (assigned by TCALL): TBD
Room: Inspiration
Naomi Lovato, Community Action
Naomi Lovato is the HSE Instructional Designer for Community Action, Inc. of Central Texas (CAICT). Naomi taught HSE online and in person before moving into instructional coaching. She received a BA in English Education from Texas State University.
Naomi worked in outdoor education for 2 years and then special education for 4 years before finding her passion in adult education. Naomi is a member of the San Marcos Civics Club. She also works with local bicycle groups to promote accessibility for alternative transportation. She tends to her mental health by biking, running, listening to live music, and swimming in the San Marcos River.
Allied Health Action Plan: Your Roadmap to Ellii’s Career Pathway Content for ELLs
This session introduces teachers to Ellii’s newly released Allied Healthcare courses and supplementary materials. Participants will explore strategies to support English language learners in Integrated English Training (IET) career exploration across various proficiency levels and needs.
The presentation will highlight how these resources can be tailored to meet diverse student requirements, fostering a comprehensive learning environment that prepares students for careers in healthcare. By integrating these materials, educators can enhance student engagement and career readiness, ensuring a more effective and inclusive educational experience.
PD Category (assigned by TCALL): TBD
Conference Room
Laura Jacob, Ellii
Laura Jacob has been an ESL Instructor for 18 years. She has taught high school students at the community college, adult education, and university level.
She has presented at several state and international conferences, participated in action research, and developed teacher training programs.
She speaks Spanish and intermediate Hindi. She has a Masters in TESOL.
10:45 AM – 12:15 PM
Session 2 (90 min)
Impact Storytelling: Mining for Your Magic
Storytelling is an essential part of building strong, engaging relationships across your audiences.
In this session, we’ll explore what makes your organization unique and how to convey those stories with sensitivity and integrity. We’ll learn from case studies and each other so that we can better resonate outside of our organizations in meaningful ways.
Leave ready to unlock deeper audience engagement, equipped with new ideas, approaches and action items.
PD Category (assigned by TCALL): TBD
Room: Dedication
Dana Such, Squeezed Consulting
Dana Such is the founder of Squeezed Consulting, where she helps nonprofits grow audiences and revenue to expand their capacity for mission-driven work. She began her career at Texas Monthly and has over a decade of focused experience in audience development across media, e-commerce and nonprofit sectors.
Outside of work, Dana dedicates time to board service within her community. She is a Leadership Austin and AISD UpClose alumna, Austin Under 40 Finalist, and Kendra Scott Women’s Entrepreneurial and Leadership Institute FoundHER.
Strategies for Struggling Readers & Students with Special Learning Needs
Objectives of this session include:
· Understand definitions and characteristics of dyslexia.
· Understand instructional strategies that support students’ reading comprehension.
· Discuss and participate in collaborative learning strategies.
This session will include information and characteristics of special learning needs. Instructional strategies will be shared, including creating supportive, engaging learning environments, arranging collaborative learning contexts, and implementing reading comprehension strategies that instructors might consider when working with students who struggle with literacy skills. Participants will also participate in and experience strategies from both the student and instructor perspectives.
PD Category (assigned by TCALL): TBD
Room: Innovation
Dr. Lisa Polk, TCALL
Lisa J. Polk, Ed.D. is a literacy and curriculum specialist with experience of over thirty years in education, predominately serving secondary level students as well as integrated reading and writing methods courses in adult/higher education.
She has enjoyed working with students and educators to implement engaging literacy experiences for all learners while serving as a special education department head and as a districtwide literacy and social studies curriculum specialist for several years.
Recently sharing information on interactive literacy approaches, Lisa has presented at international, national, and state literacy conferences hosted by the Literacy Association of Ireland, Texas Association of Literacy Educators, Florida Literacy Coalition, and Coalition of Adult Basic English. Lisa holds an Ed.D. in Literacy, M.Ed.in Reading, and B.A. in Teaching from Sam Houston State University.
Data Monitoring and Evaluation: How to Show Impact
This session covers everything from program evaluation, data collection, and monitoring to presenting data to various audiences, including funders, donors, and stakeholders in reports. Whether you want to demonstrate impact or improve program or staff performance, this session is designed for you.
The session includes hands-on and interactive exercises that introduce participants to free visualization tools, allowing them to explore what’s available and much more. Participants in this session will benefit from years of experience in program evaluation, data collection, and demonstrating impact with El Buen and St. David’s, and will walk away with tools and strategies to implement in their own organizations.
PD Category (assigned by TCALL): TBD
Room: Inspiration
Luis Garcia, St. David’s Foundation
Luis Garcia holds a degree in Electronic and Communications Engineering. He is currently the Dental Analytics Manager at the St. David’s Foundation, where he is responsible for managing the data and analytics of the Foundation’s Dental Program, including program initiatives, forecasting, projections, data analysis, and reporting.
Before joining the Foundation, he worked as the Chief Technology and Analytics Officer at El Buen Samaritano, utilizing data analytics and technology infrastructure to optimize operations, evaluate program effectiveness, and drive data-driven strategies for organizational growth and sustainability.
Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family outdoors, and coaching his kids’ baseball and softball teams.
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: WORKING LUNCH
Panel: “Empowering Adults: Workplace Skills Alignment“
This working lunch session is a panel moderated by Diane Cook, featuring employer representatives discussing how to align necessary workplace skills in adult education – a powerful lesson for organizations as they strive to help students become workforce-ready.
We will hear from employers about the skill gaps missing in their organizations, whether it’s English Language, technical, or even soft skills. Together, we will explore how adult education organizations can address these gaps, better equip students for success, and support employers as they recruit and retain talent.
Conference Room
Diane Cook, Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area
Experienced professional with a demonstrated history of working in the workforce development industry. Strong operations professional skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Youth Development, Program Evaluation, Case Management, and Young People.
1:45 PM – 3:15 PM
Session 3 (90 min)
Retention/Persistence for AEL
In this session, participants will be guided through the planning for their first contact with participants using research on student persistence. This first contact is the initial step to retention.
The group will review the Drivers of Persistence as well as 10 strategies for improving retention and will be provided strategies for addressing areas identified by research that likely impact student persistence. Participants will share in a discussion on motivation and how it impacts our AEL students.
PD Category (assigned by TCALL): TBD
Room: Dedication
Dr. Olga Escamilla, TCALL
Dr. Olga Escamilla has over 26 years of experience in adult education, and currently serves as a PD Specialist with TRAIN PD @ TCALL. She has served as a teacher’s aide, data entry, ABE Instructor, AEL Supervisor, Professional Development Grant Coordinator, AEL Director, Job Coach, and Workforce Case Manager. She has served as a Senior Lecturer with TAMUK- Masters of Adult Education program since 2009.
Dr. Escamilla served on the COABE Board as Region-4 Representative from 2019 – 2022.
Pathways to Citizenship
According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) data, there are 1,261,546 individuals with Legal Permanent Residency (LPRs, or Green Card holders) in the state of Texas. Currently, over one million of these individuals are eligible for U.S. citizenship, or Naturalization.
During her tenure as Education Director at Manos de Cristo, Karin has participated in several USCIS trainings and gained valuable experience and knowledge at Manos. This 90-minute session will focus on the process of Naturalization, the common barriers that eligible LPRs face to naturalize, as well as share tips and resources to help eligible LPRs prepare for Naturalization.
PD Category (assigned by TCALL): TBD
Room: Innovation
Karin Zamora, Manos de Cristo
Karin Zamora has eleven years of experience in the education field. Prior to working in the adult education space, she worked with K-12 in Spanish and ELA classrooms in Texas and Guatemala. She has served as the Director of Education at the non-profit Manos de Cristo in Austin, TX since 2022. There, she facilitates ESL, Computer Literacy, and Citizenship Preparation classes for the adult immigrant community in central Texas. Her passion lies in creating connections and empowering individuals through education.
A Teacher’s Dozen: Activities to Boost Learner Engagement
In this dynamic session, we will spotlight a variety of challenges in adult education today. As we address each challenge, participants will share ideas, discuss strategies, and identify meaningful ways to boost student engagement and promote student success.
From creative in-class activities to innovative learning opportunities beyond the classroom, participants will leave the session equipped with a robust set of strategies to support and advance the journey of English language learners.
PD Category (assigned by TCALL): TBD
Room: Inspiration
Martin Loa, BurlingtonEnglish
Martin Loa is Senior Customer Manager for Burlington English. He has served in that capacity for the past 6 years. He utilizes his 20 plus years of adult education experience to assist programs with implementation of ESL curriculum to better meet the needs of their specific populations. His formal education in curriculum instruction enables him to develop and implement targeted trainings to address best practices.
Martin has served as a consultant delivering evidence-based and research-based training for the state professional development grantee for the last 7 years. His expertise includes ESL, Digital Literacy, Financial Literacy, ABE, IETs, and Literacy Organization-specific topics. Martin has over 15 years of experience presenting at local, state, and national conferences.
Beyond the GED: Building a Workforce-Ready Pipeline with Essential Education
In today’s job market, a high school equivalency diploma alone isn’t enough—students need workforce skills to succeed. This session explores how the GED Academy and workforce development must go hand in hand to create a prepared talent pipeline. Learn how Essential Education’s Workforce Bundle—featuring Computer Essentials, Work Essentials, and Money Essentials—equips adult learners with digital literacy, workplace readiness, and financial literacy skills.
Discover how to integrate these courses seamlessly into your programs, whether as a capstone experience or side-by-side with GED Academy. Walk away with practical strategies to help your students transition from education to employment with confidence.
PD Category (assigned by TCALL): TBD
Conference Room
Jeannie Hale, Essential Education
Jeannie Hale has over 20 years of experience in Adult Education, spanning classroom instruction to administrative leadership in both public and private sectors. As the former Director of Adult Education at Houston Community College, she managed a $4.2 million grant supporting workforce initiatives.
Now, as the Southwest Territory Representative for Essential Education, she partners with programs across Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, providing customized solutions to maximize student outcomes. Her deep understanding of program administration, budget alignment, and instructional needs allows her to support educators in achieving measurable success using Essential Education’s innovative resources.
3:20 PM – 3:30 PM: FAREWELL & DOOR PRIZES
DOWNLOADS
Download or print a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending the symposium.
Download a printable copy of the symposium program.
SPECIAL THANKS TO -
Half Price Books – symposium major sponsor!
Literacy Coalition of Central Texas
Barnes & Noble Sunset Valley
Book People
Eliza Page
Kendra Scott
Susser Bank
TCALL (The Texas Center for Advancement of Literacy & Learning)
The Texas Workforce Commission
Tito’s Vodka
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Checked/updated: 4/14/25
Thank you so much for your interest!
This event is now over.
