2026 Iowa Adult Education &amp; Literacy Conference

Monday July 6, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT

113

Limited Capacity seats available

In this session, we will explore the foundational principles of adult learning to gain a deeper understanding of what motivates adult students. We will demonstrate how Burlington applies these principles through a practical and relevant curriculum, collaborative learning activities, and opportunities to build on learners’ experience. Participants will gain an understanding of how to foster...
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Speakers

JennaRose Dahl

Customer Manager, BurlingtonEnglish

JennaRose Dahl has been a teacher, coordinator, volunteer, Americorps member, and writer, specializing in digital literacy and blended learning for adult students for over 15 years. As a Customer Manager for BurlingtonEnglish, she loves solving problems and helping programs successfully... Read More →

Angela Donlon

Customer Representative, BurlingtonEnglish

Angela Donlon joined the BurlingtonEnglish team over 5 years ago as a Customer Representative / Teacher Trainer after 30 years of teaching experience in MNAdult Education. She fell in love with teaching adult ESL as a volunteer in St. Paul. Angela is passionate about supporting teachers & h... Read More →

Monday July 6, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
113

ELL

global Y

11:00am CDT

Best Practices for Integrating Digital Literacy into Adult foundational Education Classes

Monday July 6, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT

112

Limited Capacity seats available

The fabric of information has become increasingly digital, yet integrating technology doesn't have to be overwhelming. Our classes must move beyond teaching isolated computer skills and instead find manageable ways to make digital tools a natural part of how we teach and how students learn. This session focuses on user-friendly, "low-threshold" tools that enhance—rather than...
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Speakers

Dr. Kevin O'Connor

Executive Director, Framingham Adult ESP Plus

Dr. Kevin O’Connor is the executive director of Framingham Adult ESL Plus, the largest publicly-funded adult education program in New England. Dr. O’Connor has over 30 years of working in a variety of teaching and leadership roles in adult education and teacher education. He... Read More →

Peggy Moody Olegario

ESL Instructor

Peggy Moody Olegario is an experienced educator with more than 34 years in public education, specializing in English Learner (EL) instruction, curriculum development, and teacher leadership. She currently serves as an ESL teacher at Stacy Middle School, working with Grade 8 multilingual learners, and... Read More →

Monday July 6, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
112

General

11:00am CDT

Engaging the Tired Student

Monday July 6, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT

115

Limited Capacity seats available

Many adult learners come to class after a long day of work, family responsibilities, and life stress. This session shares practical strategies to help instructors increase engagement and participation—even when students are tired. We’ll explore simple, techniques that make lessons more interactive, support learner persistence, and help adult ELL students stay involved in the learning process.

Speakers

Margaret Coles

ELL Consultant, DMACC

Margaret Coles has worked in adult education for over 15 years and currently works as an ELL Consultant at DMACC, where she supports online ELL students and the instructors who teach them. She holds a master’s degree in TESOL from Shenandoah University. When she’s not working... Read More →

Monday July 6, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
115

global Y

11:00am CDT

I Was Burnt Out, But Not Broken

Monday July 6, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT

109

Limited Capacity seats available

Burnout isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a bonafide epidemic, especially among those juggling too many balls (and probably forgot where they put the one labeled “self-care”). In this refreshingly honest and practical session, we’ll explore what burnout really looks like, why it hits educators especially hard, and how to spot the signs before you're fully crispy. Through personal stories,...
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Speakers

Erin Lee Schneider

Dean, Student Success and Urban Student Development, Des Moines Area Community College

Monday July 6, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
109

global Y

11:00am CDT

Using CASAS STEPS, GOALS 2 and Other Tools to Inform Instruction and Support Learner Progress

Monday July 6, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT

Ballroom

Join this interactive workshop designed to help you confidently use CASAS assessments, competencies, and reports to guide instruction and support learners’ work‑readiness and training goals. Together, we’ll walk through practical ways to interpret CASAS tools—such as STEPS and GOALS 2 TE Reports, along with eWORKs, and the Teacher Portal—to better understand learner data, identify...
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Speakers

Karen C Burger

National Program and Field Studies Specialist, CASAS

Karen has worked in education her entire career and first started using CASAS assessments more than 20 years ago. She began teaching ESL to adults in a small workplace project at an Indiana factory and continued at local programs writing curriculum and teaching ESL, EL Civics, ABE... Read More →

Monday July 6, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Ballroom

global Y

11:00am CDT

Igniting Math Collaboration: Strategies that Move Students Forward

Monday July 6, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT

114

Limited Capacity seats available

This session focuses on practical strategies that build confidence, persistence, and measurable gains in math. Participants will share what works, troubleshoot barriers, and walk away with ready-to-use approaches.

Speakers

Korianne Gevaert

Hawkeye Community College

Monday July 6, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
114

global Y

11:00am CDT

Collaboration Across the Workforce System

Monday July 6, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT

108

Limited Capacity seats available

Join leaders from the Central Iowa Workforce Development Board, Title I, Title II, and the One‑Stop Operator for a candid conversation about what it really takes to build meaningful collaboration across workforce and adult education. We’ll share successful strategies as well as the honest lessons learned from projects that didn’t go as planned. This session will give you practical steps,...
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Speakers

Sara Bath

One-Stop Operator, IowaWORKS

Sara Bath serves as the One-Stop Operator for Iowa Workforce Development, where she plays a key role in ensuring an integrated, seamless, and collaborative workforce system across partners and programs. With ten years of experience at Iowa Workforce Development and prior service with... Read More →

Heather Brooks

Program Director, National Able Network, Inc.

Heather Brook is Title I Program Director.

Eric Kress

Executive Director, Central Iowa Workforce Board

Eric Kress has served the CIWDB since 2022. In this critical role, he is responsible for translating the board’s vision and decisions into actionable strategies, partnerships, and programs. Eric’s leadership is vital to the success of the local board, as he ensures the board's... Read More →

Michelle Schott

IET Coordinator, Des Moines Area Community College

Michelle Schott is the Integrated Education and Training Coordinator at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC). In her current role, she coordinates programming that integrates workforce training, employability skills, and adult education and literacy. Michelle is passionate about... Read More →

Monday July 6, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
108

global Y

12:00pm CDT

Lunch, Awards & Recognition

Monday July 6, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm CDT

Ballroom

Monday July 6, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm CDT
Ballroom

1:15pm CDT

Teaching Real Life Conversations to the Beginning Student: A Teaching Strategy Developed by Chris Westergaard of the Language House in Prague

Monday July 6, 2026 1:15pm - 2:45pm CDT

108

Limited Capacity seats available

This teaching strategy transforms the mindset on how to approach the beginning English language learner. Chris Westergaard of the Language House in Prague developed this framework in which I will demonstrate how I implement it, and I will provide applicable knowledge for other instructors to have confidence in utilizing it to help their students grow in their English language acquisition.

Speakers

Jodie Hardin

ELL Adjunct Instructor, Des Moines Area Community College English Language Learners Department

My name is Jodie Hardin. I grew up and currently live in Des Moines. I share my life with my husband and three children. I love teaching and creating curriculum. My experiences have been filled with teaching in diverse capacities and locations, from the elementary... Read More →

Monday July 6, 2026 1:15pm - 2:45pm CDT
108

ELL

global Y

1:15pm CDT

Accelerated Learning Strategies for Busy Adult Learners

Monday July 6, 2026 1:15pm - 2:45pm CDT

109

Limited Capacity seats available

Adult students juggle work, parenting, transportation barriers, and stress. This session introduces evidence-based techniques—retrieval practice, spacing, interleaving, micro-drills, cognitive load management—that help them learn faster, remember longer, and stay engaged. Participants practice turning existing reading, writing, and math tasks into accelerated-learning activities they can use...
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Speakers

Kathy Houghton

Executive Director, Literacy New York

Kathy Houghton is the Executive Director of Literacy New York and the director of Literacy NY’s NY State Education Department-funded Rest of State Support and Technical Assistance Center (STAC). Unique to NY State, the STAC builds capacity and offers support to community-based and... Read More →

Monday July 6, 2026 1:15pm - 2:45pm CDT
109

global Y

1:15pm CDT

How to Keep Students Engaged with Hybrid Teaching

Monday July 6, 2026 1:15pm - 2:45pm CDT

115

Limited Capacity seats available

- Talk about the different ways we keep online students participating in lessons each day so that don't feel like they are relegated to the background.
- Keeping an active effort to engage them so that they can overcome their insecurities/fears of disrupting the class because they are actually part of the class, not a separate group.

Speakers

Ginger Enlow

Math Instructor, Hawkeye Community College

Ginger is the Math Instructor for the High School Completion Program at Hawkeye Community College. She has a B.S. in Mathematics and an Master's of Business Administration. She has been teaching for six years, five of those included hybrid teaching using Zoom. She started out teaching... Read More →

Monday July 6, 2026 1:15pm - 2:45pm CDT
115

global Y

1:15pm CDT

Using Learning Upgrade in Your ABE Program

Monday July 6, 2026 1:15pm - 2:45pm CDT

112

Limited Capacity seats available

In this session, the presenters will describe the Learning Upgrade platform and how this online learning system has benefitted a variety of learners at Iowa Valley during the 2025-2026 academic year. They will offer tips and tricks for effective use in multilevel in-person and online HSED classrooms, as well as with English Language Learners. They will demonstrate the product and what...
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Speakers

Ann Beeson

Independent Senior Sales Consultant, New Readers Press

As an independent representative, Ann Beeson has worked with adult education and literacy programs in 10 states for 25 years, presenting at state & national conferences. She currently offers resources through New Readers Press. Ann has a Master’s degree in Curriculum & Instructional... Read More →

Katie Lanius

Adult Literacy Instructor and Success Coach, Iowa Valley Business and Community Solutions

Katie Lanius is an Adult Literacy Instructor and Success Coach with Iowa Valley. She teaches multi-level high school equivalency diploma classes in Marshalltown, in Grinnell, and online. She also teaches a pre-CNA course for ELLs. Katie earned a M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction... Read More →

Monday July 6, 2026 1:15pm - 2:45pm CDT
112

global Y

1:15pm CDT

Igniting Leadership Collaboration: Driving Impact in Adult Education Programs

Monday July 6, 2026 1:15pm - 2:45pm CDT

114

Limited Capacity seats available

This session is designed for leaders ready to move from managing to truly driving impact. Participants will collaborate on strategies to lead teams, navigate change, and improve program outcomes.

Speakers

Martha Bell

Monday July 6, 2026 1:15pm - 2:45pm CDT
114

Program Leadership

global Y

1:15pm CDT

Building Workforce Minds: From Attention Span to Application

Monday July 6, 2026 1:15pm - 2:45pm CDT

113

Limited Capacity seats available

Adult learners juggle busy lives and career goals, yet traditional surface instruction often leaves them unprepared for real-world demands. This interactive session explores how attention span influences persistence, why deeper learning matters, and how active learning strategies can bridge classroom instruction with workforce readiness. Participants will gain practical tools to move learners from...
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Speakers

Chris Miller

National Consultant for Adult Education and Workforce Development, Aztec - this is not a vendor presentation

Ms. Miller worked for over 30 years in adult education and managed a comprehensive adult education program serving over 2,000 students annually and served on the state level for a time developing and implementing state-wide professional development programs. Currently, she works... Read More →

Monday July 6, 2026 1:15pm - 2:45pm CDT
113

global Y

1:15pm CDT

Career Ready Platform Demonstration and Exploration

Monday July 6, 2026 1:15pm - 2:45pm CDT

Ballroom

Monday July 6, 2026 1:15pm - 2:45pm CDT
Ballroom

Workforce

3:00pm CDT

Academic Conversations in the Adult ELL Classroom

Monday July 6, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT

109

Limited Capacity seats available

This session explores Academic Conversations by Jeff Zwiers and Marie Crawford as applied in a non-credit adult ELL classroom.. Participants will learn how structured academic talk can build language, confidence, and critical thinking skills for learners across all NRS levels—from pre-literate to advanced.Through real classroom examples, the session will demonstrate how academic conversations...
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Speakers

Joel Bouwers

ELL Consultant, Des Moines Area Community College

Joel Bouwers is an ELL Consultant and Adjunct Instructor at Des Moines Area Community College's Urban Campus. He holds a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction (TESOL) from the University of Kansas. He has taught adult English learners in community colleges, nonprofit, workplace, and online... Read More →

Monday July 6, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
109

ELL

global Y

3:00pm CDT

Building Sustainable Instructional Systems Across Programs

Monday July 6, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT

113

Limited Capacity seats available

Administrators in large, multi-site agencies with part-time staff strive to support their teams so that those teams can, in turn, best support their students. Our goal is to ensure all staff have the resources necessary to deliver high-quality instruction aligned with the core curriculum. In this session, we will share practical tools and systems designed to foster instructional consistency across...
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Speakers

Dr. Kevin O'Connor

Executive Director, Framingham Adult ESP Plus

Monday July 6, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
113

General

3:00pm CDT

Igniting Your Adult Education Journey

Monday July 6, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT

114

Limited Capacity seats available

Are you new to adult education? Join fellow instructors in their first two years of teaching for a collaborative discussion focused on navigating the unique opportunities and challenges of the adult education classroom. This session provides a supportive space to connect with peers, share experiences, explore effective instructional strategies, and discover resources that can help you...
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Speakers

Bonnie Shaw

Katie Byrnes

Monday July 6, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
114

General

3:00pm CDT

Leading with Grace

Monday July 6, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT

108

Limited Capacity seats available

Learn powerful and foundational techniques for leading and teaching others at both a management or classroom level, in a way that emphasizes grace and empathy. This session will allow you to take away some key points that will assist you with your students, coworkers, and teammates. We will compare differences between leadership styles, behavior management, and building trust within...
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Speakers

Jon Klaus

HiSET Instructor, Indian Hills Community College

Jon Klaus has spent time as a director, coach and mentor, pastor, and writer. Jon writes articles regularly for a local Davis County newspaper, and creates content for an online blog. Klaus has published three books on faith and leadership, and currently serves as a HiSET Instructor at I... Read More →

Monday July 6, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
108

global Y

3:00pm CDT

Unlocking HiSET Success Through Data and Collaborative Pathways

Monday July 6, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT

112

Limited Capacity seats available

A strong HiSET program begins with understanding what learner data reveals about access, performance, and outcomes. This session reviews the HiSET Statistical Report to highlight participation trends, pass rates, subject‑level strengths and challenges, and retesting patterns. Participants will consider what the data suggests about learner demand, where individuals may be encountering barriers,...
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Speakers

Stephanie Bauer

HiSET Account Manager, HiSET - PSI

Stephanie Bauer, the HiSET Account Manager, focuses on cultivating relationships with state clients, vendors, and internal partners. She manages the implementation of the HiSET program at the state level, collaborating with adult education programs and test centers on contracts and... Read More →

Monday July 6, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
112

global Y

3:00pm CDT

Professional Development and ILC: A Director’s Look at ConnectAble’s Professional Development Dashboard

Monday July 6, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT

Ballroom

A close look and training for directors on how to track, report, and measure professional development within the ConnectAble system.

Speakers

Dr. Tregg Hopkins

Co-Founder, ConnectAble

Dr. Treg Hopkins is the Co-Founder of Connectable, an Illinois-based nonprofit committed to enhancing adult education programs across more than 25 states through advanced data systems and artificial intelligence. As a Certified Quantitative Methodologist, his research focuses on neurodiversity... Read More →

Monday July 6, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
Ballroom

Program Leadership

3:00pm CDT

Stronger Together: Effective Co-Teaching Strategies for Integrated Education & Training (IET) Programs

Monday July 6, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT

115

Limited Capacity seats available

Integrated Education and Training (IET) programs rely on strong collaboration between instructors to successfully blend adult education and literacy, workforce preparation, and workforce training. However, co-teaching is often implemented without clear structure, shared planning time, or defined roles—leading to inconsistent student outcomes.This session explores practical, field-tested...
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Speakers

Sara Smith

ELL/I-BEST Lead Instructor/Coordinator, Hawkeye Community College

Dr. Sara Smith has been an educator since 1990, with a passion for lifelong learning. In her current role with adult education, she finds great satisfaction developing and teaching IET and I-BEST courses in manufacturing, CDL, and computer skills.

Monday July 6, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
115

global Y

4:00pm CDT

HiSET Reception

Monday July 6, 2026 4:00pm - 6:00pm CDT

Magee's Irish Pub

Join us for a Happy Hour Reception hosted by HiSET! This informal gathering provides a great opportunity to connect with colleagues, share ideas, and build new relationships in a welcoming atmosphere. Enjoy conversation, networking, and a selection of hors d'oeuvres and refreshments as we celebrate the important work of adult education and lifelong learning. We look forward to seeing you there!

Monday July 6, 2026 4:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Magee's Irish Pub 1610 SW Main Street, Ankeny, IA

7:00am CDT

Breakfast, Networking & Resource Exploration

Tuesday July 7, 2026 7:00am - 8:00am CDT

Attrium

Tuesday July 7, 2026 7:00am - 8:00am CDT
Attrium

8:00am CDT

Keynote - Remember Your Why: Reconnecting Purpose in Adult Education

Tuesday July 7, 2026 8:00am - 9:15am CDT

Ballroom

The purpose of this presentation is to reconnect educators and professionals to their purpose, strengthen resilience, and inspire intentional, learner-centered practices that ultimately improve outcomes for the adults and communities they serve. The framework of the presentation/conversation will center on the following concepts. To understand and embrace that adult education can change the course...
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Speakers

Alyson Simmons

Founder | Executive Director, Central Iowa Trauma Recovery Center

Alyson Simmons is the Founder and Executive Director of the Central Iowa Trauma Recovery Center (CITRC) and a former principal for A. Simmons Consulting, LLC. She has over twenty-five years of experience in health care and contract administration, policy and fund development, and systems chang... Read More →

Tuesday July 7, 2026 8:00am - 9:15am CDT
Ballroom

General

9:30am CDT

Igniting Collaboration: High-Impact Strategies for English Learners

Tuesday July 7, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am CDT

114

Limited Capacity seats available

This session is designed to spark new ideas and accelerate impact for English learner instruction. Participants will exchange high-impact strategies, explore innovative tools, and leave with practical approaches they can immediately implement.

Speakers

Melissa Roper

ESL Assistant Programmer, Iowa Lakes

Melissa Roper is an ESL Programmer with Iowa Lakes Community College, specializing in English as a Second Language (ESL) and also working with the High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) programs. She has worked with learners from PreK through adulthood and spent six years teaching... Read More →

Tuesday July 7, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am CDT
114

ELL

global Y

9:30am CDT

Set It Up Right: Simplifying Employer Onboarding for Stronger ESL Outcomes

Tuesday July 7, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am CDT

115

Limited Capacity seats available

This session explores practical strategies for improving employer onboarding and long-term engagement in worksite ESL programs. Participants will review and discuss tools and support practices designed to increase employer follow-through, employee retention, and overall program satisfaction. Through examples, shared resources, and guided discussion, attendees will explore approaches for setting...
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Speakers

Katelyn Shears

Adult Education & Literacy Coordinator, North Iowa Area Community College

Katelyn is an AEL Coordinator at North Iowa Area Community College, where she designs and implements programs that help adult learners build English language skills while preparing for the workforce. She specializes in developing integrated education and training models that align... Read More →

Tuesday July 7, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am CDT
115

ELL

global Y

9:30am CDT

Executive Functioning Skills for Adult Learners

Tuesday July 7, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am CDT

109

Limited Capacity seats available

Executive Function challenges affect attendance, persistence, and learning for many adults. This workshop provides practical, classroom-ready tools for supporting planning, memory, focus, and self-management. Participants learn how to embed EF routines into reading, math, and ESL instruction using simple checklists, visual planners, chunking strategies, and metacognitive prompts

Speakers

Kathy Houghton

Executive Director, Literacy New York

Tuesday July 7, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am CDT
109

global Y

9:30am CDT

Trauma Stewardship

Tuesday July 7, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am CDT

112

Limited Capacity seats available

Professionals in adult education and other helping professions are often called upon to support individuals facing significant challenges, hardships, and life transitions. While this work is deeply meaningful, it can also take a toll on those who do it. This session introduces the concept of Trauma Stewardship—a framework for understanding and addressing the impact of witnessing the...
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Speakers

Alyson Simmons

Founder | Executive Director, Central Iowa Trauma Recovery Center

Tuesday July 7, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am CDT
112

global Y

9:30am CDT

Professional Development and ILC: A Staff and Faculty Look at ConnectAble’s Professional Development Dashboard

Tuesday July 7, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am CDT

Ballroom

A close look and training for all staff and faculty members on how to track, report, and measure professional development within the ConnectAble system.

Speakers

Dr. Tregg Hopkins

Co-Founder, ConnectAble

Tuesday July 7, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am CDT
Ballroom

Program Leadership

10:45am CDT

A Teacher’s Dozen: Activities to Engage Your Learners

Tuesday July 7, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm CDT

114

Limited Capacity seats available

Title: A Teacher’s Dozen: Activities to Engage Your Learners Abstract: In-person, virtual, hy-flex… oh my! Donut worry- no matter what your English Language classroom looks like, join our session to freshen up your teaching strategies to make any lesson more engaging. From warm up activities to vocabulary lessons, from grammar topics to pronunciation, come to collect a variety pack of...
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Speakers

JennaRose Dahl

Customer Manager, BurlingtonEnglish

Angela Donlon

Customer Representative, BurlingtonEnglish

Tuesday July 7, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm CDT
114

ELL

global Y

10:45am CDT

Workplace English for ESOL Learners

Tuesday July 7, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm CDT

109

Limited Capacity seats available

Workplace English is fundamentally functional English—language for clarifying, reporting, asking, responding, and problem-solving at work. This session is built around practical, low-prep routines that teachers can introduce immediately in ESL, ABE/ESOL, IET, and workplace-focused classes. It includes scripted language, role plays, and mini-activities that align with workplace communication...
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Speakers

Kathy Houghton

Executive Director, Literacy New York

Tuesday July 7, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm CDT
109

ELL

global Y

10:45am CDT

The Importance of Building a Community in the Classroom: Relationships Matter

Tuesday July 7, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm CDT

108

Limited Capacity seats available

This session will explore the terms retention and persistence within an educational environment. It will also define the type of relationships that lead to the retention and persistence of students. Finally, participants will identify practical strategies they can use to build relationships with their students and articulate what such relationships mean for building a classroom...
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Speakers

Sarah E. Schoper

HiSED instructor, Central Iowa Community College

Sarah teaches in the High School Equivalency Diploma program at Iowa Central Community College, Storm Lake. Her educational background is in transformative learning and human development within the higher education environment. She loves her job as a HiSED instructor, and when not... Read More →

Tuesday July 7, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm CDT
108

global Y

10:45am CDT

Civic Education for All: Capitalizing on the Civics Exam to Strengthen Civic Culture

Tuesday July 7, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm CDT

115

Limited Capacity seats available

Beginning in the fall of 2026, all individuals pursuing an HSED will be required to earn a score of 60% or higher on the civics test issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. It is easy to see this exam as an exercise in rote memorization; yet, the requirement to teach this content provides an opportunity for students to engage in meaningful discussion of the country’s...
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Speakers

Allison Rank

Director of the Center for Civic Education, University of Northern Iowa

Dr. Allison Rank is the inaugural director of the Center for Civic Education and professor of Political Science at the University of Northern Iowa. Her current research examines career competencies and learning outcomes associated with participation in campus-based voter engagement... Read More →

Tuesday July 7, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm CDT
115

High School Equivalency

10:45am CDT

Supporting ELL Students in HiSET Classes

Tuesday July 7, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm CDT

112

Limited Capacity seats available

HiSET classes require academic language that our non-native speakers of English may lack. In this session, we will present crucial techniques that instructors in HiSET classes can use to support all learners. We will focus on scaffolding instruction, sheltering content, modeling, and utilizing multimodal learning.

Speakers

Dr. Kevin O'Connor

Executive Director, Framingham Adult ESP Plus

Peggy Moody Olegario

ESL Instructor

Tuesday July 7, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm CDT
112

High School Equivalency

10:45am CDT

Career Ready Pilot Discussion and Partnership Opportunities

Tuesday July 7, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm CDT

Ballroom

Tuesday July 7, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm CDT
Ballroom

Workforce

10:45am CDT

Learning That Leads to Earning: Designing IET Programs for Local Workforce Needs

Tuesday July 7, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm CDT

113

Limited Capacity seats available

Discover how to design Career Pathways that align with WIOA regulations and support IET program success. This session will highlight essential components such as employer engagement, partnership development, and using Labor Market Information (LMI) to inform program design. Participants will explore a practical framework for building comprehensive, industry-focused pathways and receive templates...
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Speakers

Chris Miller

National Consultant for Adult Education and Workforce Development, Aztec - this is not a vendor presentation

Tuesday July 7, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm CDT
113

global Y

12:15pm CDT

Lunch / Closing Celebration & Door Prize Drawing

Tuesday July 7, 2026 12:15pm - 1:30pm CDT

Ballroom

Tuesday July 7, 2026 12:15pm - 1:30pm CDT
Ballroom

1:45pm CDT

Instructional Strategies for Multi-Level Adult ELL Classes

Tuesday July 7, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT

113

Limited Capacity seats available

Teaching a multi-level adult ELL class can be both challenging and rewarding. In this interactive session, participants will discover effective strategies to meet the needs of learners at varying proficiency levels. Explore ways to differentiate instruction, foster collaboration, and create meaningful learning experiences that keep all students engaged and progressing.

Speakers

Deb Sheehy

ELL Consultant, DMACC

Deb is an ELL Consultant at Des Moines Area Community College with nearly 20 years of experience in the field. She is passionate about supporting educators in delivering high-quality instruction that empowers students to achieve their goals.

Tuesday July 7, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
113

ELL

global Y

1:45pm CDT

Igniting Access: A Framework for AI Innovation in Adult Education

Tuesday July 7, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT

108

Limited Capacity seats available

This session introduces a practical framework for integrating AI into adult education programs in a way that is intentional, accessible, and aligned with student success outcomes. Rather than focusing on individual tools alone, participants will explore how to think strategically about AI across instruction, student support, and program operations.This session highlights how AI can expand access...
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Speakers

Jess Frederickson

Exec Dir HEP & AEL, Des Moines Area Community College

Jess serves as the Executive Director of Adult Education and Literacy at DMACC, where she leads programs designed to expand access, accelerate learning, and connect education to real-world opportunity. Her work focuses on creating transformational experiences for adult learners and... Read More →

Tuesday July 7, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
108

global Y

1:45pm CDT

Quick-Win Lessons: Low Prep Strategies for Mixed Level Classrooms

Tuesday July 7, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT

Ballroom

This practical workshop shares low-prep, high-impact activities for ABE, ESL, and HSE classrooms. Participants learn eight “quick win” lesson templates that work across levels, increase engagement, and simplify differentiation. Teachers and tutors leave with plug-and-play routines, leveled examples, and printable templates they can use immediately—perfect for busy instructors and...
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Speakers

Kathy Houghton

Executive Director, Literacy New York

Tuesday July 7, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Ballroom

global Y

1:45pm CDT

From Canvas to Career: Turning Instruction into Opportunity for Adult Learners

Tuesday July 7, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT

109

Limited Capacity seats available

Adult learners are more engaged and persistent when they understand how classroom learning connects to real-world opportunities. This interactive session highlights how Canvas-based instruction and career pathway advising can work together to create meaningful, student-centered learning experiences.Participants will explore how curriculum delivered through Canvas can be intentionally aligned with...
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Speakers

Christine Baker

Adult Education & Literacy Navigator, Des Moines Area Community College

Christine Baker is an Advisor in Adult Education and Literacy at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC). She works closely with adult learners to support their journey toward earning their high school equivalency and exploring career pathways. Christine is passionate about helping... Read More →

Gayle Gosch

DMACC Math and HiSET Instructor, Des Moines Area Community College

Gayle Gosch is a dedicated HiSET Math instructor at DMACC who brings creativity and innovation to adult education. She has developed extensive curriculum tailored to meet the needs of adult learners and effectively uses Canvas to enhance instruction and student engagement. Gayle is... Read More →

Tuesday July 7, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
109

global Y

1:45pm CDT

Igniting Literacy Collaboration Across Content: Making Learning Stick

Tuesday July 7, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT

114

Limited Capacity seats available

This session explores how to ignite critical thinking and literacy across subject areas. Participants will collaborate on strategies that make content relevant, engaging, and impactful for adult learners.

Speakers

Tiffany Landrum

HSE and ESL Lead Instructor, NIACC

Tiffany Landrum is an HSE and ESL Lead Instructor with six years of teaching experience across PK–12 and adult education. During her four years as a PK–12 ESL instructor, she supported SLIFE students in adapting to U.S. schooling and developing English proficiency alongside their... Read More →

Tuesday July 7, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
114

global Y

1:45pm CDT

Human-Centered Innovation: Design Thinking for Program Directors Who Want to Solve Big Problems

Tuesday July 7, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT

112

Limited Capacity seats available

Today’s program directors navigate persistent challenges — staff burnout, enrollment declines, and digital inequities. This interactive session introduces design thinking as a powerful, human-centered framework for generating practical solutions.

Speakers

Dr. Matthew Pranger

ConnectAble

Dr. Matthew Pranger is ConnectAble’s resident data guru, helping adult education programs transform raw data into meaningful, actionable insights. With a background in adult education, program coordination, and workforce development, he brings both practical experience and analytical expertise to... Read More →

Megan Linzy-Johnson

ConnectAble

Tuesday July 7, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
112

Program Leadership

1:45pm CDT

Igniting Workforce Pathway Collaboration: Connecting Learning to Opportunity

Tuesday July 7, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT

115

Limited Capacity seats available

This session focuses on how to create powerful connections between education and employment. Participants will share models, partnerships, and strategies that lead to real workforce outcomes.

Speakers

Jess Frederickson

Exec Dir HEP & AEL, Des Moines Area Community College

Tuesday July 7, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
115