2026 Iowa Adult Education & Literacy Conference

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, replicable ideas, and realistic insights to help you strengthen your own workforce board relationships and move beyond coordination to true collaboration.
 

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.

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 your cohort or team.

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 community.  

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 for adult learners by reducing barriers in literacy, language acquisition, and digital readiness. Participants will leave with a clear picture of how AI can be used by staff and students and with ideas they can immediately apply within their programs.

AI is not just a tool, it’s an opportunity to rethink how we design access, persistence, and success in adult education.