2026 Iowa Adult Education & Literacy Conference: Full Schedule

11:00am CDT

Applying Key Principles of Adult Learning for Effective ESL Instruction

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

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 greater student engagement, enhance learning outcomes, and support adults in achieving their language goals with a career focus. Plus, get a sneak peek of the new Burlington Workforce courses coming summer 2026!

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

1:15pm CDT

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

LIMITED

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

3:00pm CDT

Academic Conversations in the Adult ELL Classroom

LIMITED

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 can be differentiated to meet diverse learner needs. Attendees will leave with practical, ready-to-use activities that support meaningful student interaction, including adaptable conversation routines and scaffolds that can be implemented immediately in their own classrooms.

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

9:30am CDT

Igniting Collaboration: High-Impact Strategies for English Learners

LIMITED

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

LIMITED

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 clear expectations, strengthening employer buy-in, streamlining processes, and building responsive partnerships that support both workforce needs and adult learner success. Participants will leave with adaptable tools, templates, and implementation ideas for a variety of worksite ESL settings.

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

10:45am CDT

A Teacher’s Dozen: Activities to Engage Your Learners

LIMITED

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 activities and ideas to energize your classroom. Participants will leave feeling full of ideas and ready to support their English Language Learners. Join our conference classroom and become a student again!

Participants will:

Acquire engagement strategies to use in the in-person, virtual, and hy-flex classroom.
Assess activities for effectiveness in their classroom environment.
Create a plan to implement new routines with their students.

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

LIMITED

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 demands.

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 →

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

ELL

global Y

1:45pm CDT

Instructional Strategies for Multi-Level Adult ELL Classes

LIMITED

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

11:00am CDT

1:15pm CDT

3:00pm CDT

9:30am CDT

9:30am CDT

10:45am CDT

10:45am CDT

1:45pm CDT

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