Oklahoma Adult Education & Literacy Conference
Navigating Success
September 8-9, 2025
Metro Technology Center, 1900 Springlake Dr
Oklahoma City, OK 73111
Oklahoma Adult Education & Literacy Conference
Schedule & Class Descriptions
Schedule
Monday, September 8
- Registration: 9:00 AM-10:00 AM
- Welcome and Keynote: 10:00 AM-11:15 AM
- Session 1: 11:30 AM-12:30 PM
- Lunch: 12:45 PM-1:45 PM
- Session 2: 2:00 PM-3:00 PM
- Session 3: 3:15 PM-4:15 PM
Tuesday, September 9
- Registration: 8:30 AM-9:00 AM
- Session 4: 9:00 AM-10:00 AM
- Session 5: 10:15 AM-11:15 AM
- Lunch: 11:30 AM-12:30 PM
- Session 6: 12:45 PM-1:45 PM
- Closing & Awards: 2:00 PM-3:30 PM
Monday, September 8
SESSION 1
10:30 AM-10:00 AM
Ann Beeson, M.Ed.
We all want to help our students identify and achieve their educational goals, and many of us have training on tutoring or teaching adult learners. As teachers, we follow a process of structured & direct instruction and assessment.
Knowing that adult learners function differently from children, it can be more motivational and effective to consider your connection to the learner as less than the “teacher, and more as a ‘coach.’
This presentation will focus on shifting your teaching skills toward coaching your students. We will talk about how coaching entails more individual support, goal setting & achievement of those goals, improved problem solving, all of which can better motivate your students to achieve their personal goals.
Content Strand: Instruction/Methodology
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate
Promoting Product or Service? No
Susan Bernard
September 14 – 20 is National Adult Education and Family Literacy (AEFL) Week. Come and learn step-by-step processes to share student success stories and advocate for adult education during this week and beyond. This presentation will also include information about adult ed legislative bills and how you can take action to help get them passed.
Content Strand: Community Collaboration, Program Management/Best Practices
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate
Promoting Product or Service? No
High Fives & High Expectations: Teach with Heart and Hustle
AJ Crowell
This session explores the “warm demander” approach—balancing high expectations with empathetic support to help adult learners thrive. Learn how trust, rigor, and culturally responsive practices create inclusive environments that drive persistence and achievement. Attendees will gain practical strategies for building strong relationships, promoting accountability, and motivating learners by honoring their lived experiences while maintaining a supportive, high-challenge classroom. Walk away with tools to boost engagement and success in adult education settings.
Content Strand: Instruction/Methodology for any Classroom
Intended Audience:
Knowledge Level:
Promoting Product or Service?
Dr. Amy McCready
This session will investigate creative, time-proven methods to increase student retention in your program. The methods discussed will be appropriate for both small and large programs. After this session is complete, participants will depart ready to retain, retain, retain.
Content Strand: Program Management/Best Practices, Instruction/Methodology
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
Promoting Product or Service? No
Jordan Perkins
Adult education brings unique challenges and opportunities. Learners often balance work, family, and finances alongside school, making engagement and retention more complex. Success requires more than a strong curriculum—it demands connection, relevance, and respect. This session explores how building strong teacher-student and student-student relationships, along with offering adult learners meaningful choices, can transform classroom dynamics. These strategies not only boost motivation and persistence but also create inclusive, student-centered environments. While grounded in ESL instruction, the insights shared apply across all adult education settings.
Content Strand: Instruction/Methodology
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate
Promoting Product or Service? No
Susan Reynolds
Looking for fresh ways to boost your learners’ speaking and listening skills? This 60-minute interactive workshop offers a variety of low-prep, high-impact pronunciation activities you can use right away with your English learners.
In this interactive workshop, you will:
- Participate in hands-on pronunciation activities you can use immediately
- Adapt activities for different learner levels and settings
- Walk away with ready-to-use strategies for building listening and speaking skills
Whether you teach in a classroom or tutor one-on-one, you’ll leave with practical tools, renewed energy, and creative ideas to make pronunciation a fun, interactive experience.
Content Strand: English Language Acquisition
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
Promoting Product or Service? No
Kara Robinson
Move your money goals from flop to focus with this workshop. Learn about personal strategic planning and motivational strategies that keep you moving forward.
Content Strand: Other forms of Literacy
Intended Audience: Adult Learners
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
Promoting Product or Service? Free Resources
Chasity Wright
Join us to review the most commonly missed skill areas for the TABE Reading, Math, and Language assessments. Learn how to analyze and use TABE data to inform instruction and increase measurable skills gains. This session will equip educators with strategies to tailor their teaching to student needs, ultimately supporting their educational and career goals through data-driven approaches and targeted instructional practice.
Content Strand: HSE Prep & Testing
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
Promoting Product or Service? Yes
SESSION 2
2:00 PM-3:00 PM
Ahmad AbdRaffur
After this session, you will be able to begin transitioning from a K12 classroom to an ABE classroom. You will be able to answer these questions:
(a) What are the differences in theory and practice between K12 (pedagogy) and ABE (andragogy)
(b) Do these differences really matter, and how do they look in an ABE classroom?
(c) Do I teach the content, or do I teach to pass the test?
(d) What assumptions can I safely make about ABE students?
(e) How can I be successful in teaching ALL subject areas when I only hold ONE certification?
Content Strand: Instruction/Methodology, HSE Prep & Testing
Intended Audience: Instructors
Knowledge Level: Beginners
Promoting Product or Service? No
Lt. Joshua Castlebury
1 hour class that students will learn the definition of a gang/gang member, learn about gang culture, how to identify gang members, and learn about the gangs in the OKC metro area.
Content Strand: Other forms of literacy
Intended Audience:
Knowledge Level:
Promoting Product or Service?
Claudette Hixon and Carolyn Lunsford
You walk in the classroom; you are the only teacher, and you are responsible for four different subjects for students who are at different levels. What do you do? This workshop addresses the many challenges this scenario presents. We will discuss successful strategies, tools, and classroom management that will promote success for you and your students. This presentation will be repeated during Session 3.
Content Strand: Instruction/Methodology
Intended Audience: Instructors
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate
Promoting Product or Service? No
Joanna Jamison, Dawn Endel, and Sean Kinder
Content Strand:
Intended Audience:
Knowledge Level:
Promoting Product or Service?
Dr. Amy McCready and Martin Loa
Are you excited about the potential of blended learning, but unsure of how to start? Or have you tried to implement something new and experienced only limited success? Join Amy McCready, Director of Union Adult Learning Center in Tulsa, and Martin Loa, Senior Customer Manager from Burlington English to get a look "behind the scenes" of what it takes to implement a blended learning model with fidelity, consistency and stability. Learn how your program can be 'even-keeled' even in stormy seas!
Content Strand: Instruction/Methodology, English Language Acquisition
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
Promoting Product or Service? No
Jesús M. Ramírez
From this presentation you will learn the requirements to achieve the final step of the immigration cycle, naturalization. Learn about the extended benefits and rights as an American citizen as well as how to open a USCIS online account to initiate the application process. You will also learn how to seek legal assistance from Department of State recognized organizations as well as how to identify, avoid, and report immigration scams. This presentation will be repeated during Session 5.
Content Strand: English Language Acquisition
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators, Adult Learners
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
Promoting Product or Service? Free Resources
Rebecca Reed
Join us for an interactive session designed specifically for adult educators and test center personnel to gain valuable insights into the HiSET exam. We will explore how to determine if HiSET is the right fit for your test takers, provide an overview of the five subject tests, and share key updates for the current testing year. Whether you are supporting test takers on their path to success or managing test administration, this session will equip you with the latest information and best practices to maximize test taker achievement.
Content Strand: HSE Prep & Testing
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
Promoting Product or Service? No
Teri Walker
Are your data tools falling short—and your budget too tight for upgrades? In this hands-on session, you’ll learn how to use AI with the platforms you already have (like Google Sheets, Salesforce, or form builders) to turn messy or incomplete data into funder-ready, equity-centered stories. You’ll explore how to summarize evaluation data, translate logic models, and cut hours from grant writing and reporting—all with free or low-cost AI tools. You'll also walk away with strategies for using AI ethically, protecting sensitive data, and making underutilized data sources work harder for you. Grounded in the Digital Promise EdTech Equity framework, this session will help you bridge the gap between tech limitations and powerful storytelling—without creating a new budget line. This presentation will be repeated during Session 3.
Content Strand: Program Management/Best Practices, Community Collaboration
Intended Audience: Program Administrators
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate
Promoting Product or Service? No
Elizabeth (Liz) Willner
This session gives you the opportunity to consider the big picture of your work with adult learners. You’ll reflect on background knowledge, consider the words of wise colleagues and adult learners, and do some writing. You will develop a beginning philosophy of teaching by considering WHO you teach and WHAT you teach them, after which you’ll be ready to answer the question “Why do you teach adult learners?”
Content Strand: Instruction/Methodology
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
Promoting Product or Service? No
SESSION 3
3:15 PM-4:15 PM
Susan Bernard
Come and learn methods to help your students use critical thinking skills to prepare for the Reading, Social Studies, and Science tests. In this session, we will look at passages from HiSET practice tests to show students how to “dig out” the information they need to answer test questions.
Content Strand: HSE Prep & Testing
Intended Audience: Instructors
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate
Promoting Product or Service? No
Brittany Crane and Katlyn Hudgins
From 9-to-Now: The Evolution of Work is a compelling session that explores how the nature of work has transformed over time — from the 9-to-5 model to today’s flexible, purpose-driven, and ever-evolving workforce. This presentation will highlight the traditional work structure and expectations, the present flexible and customizable work arrangement, and the future landscape of work and discuss what these ever-evolving changes mean for adult learners. Throughout this presentation, we will look at how vocational education has been the leader in these workforce changes and continues to provide valuable resources for learners, job seekers and professionals navigating career transitions.
Content Strand: Community Collaboration
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators, Adult Learners
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
Promoting Product or Service? Free Resources
AJ Crowell
Did you meet your Measurable Skill Gains targets this past year? If you’re looking to boost outcomes, we’ve got great news. We’ve launched several powerful new tools—and there’s more on the way—all designed to help you drive measurable progress faster and more effectively. This session will cover our all new comprehensive Spanish GED and HiSET content (with Spanish audio and new lessons), TABE 13/14 Academy, updates to our print materials, and an overview of our revised literacy curriculum, MindPlay, that has been delivering rapid growth for Oklahoma and Texas lower level learners.
We'll also be debuting our brand new Practice Plus for HiSET and GED. This groundbreaking online practice course combines focused practice with instruction, giving students the skills they need to pass their HSE exam.
With these new resources, your students can build the right skills faster—while your program gains the tools to exceed MSG goals with confidence.
Content Strand: Literacy Instruction, HSE Prep & Testing
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
Promoting Product or Service? Yes
Claudette Hixon and Carolyn Lunsford
You walk in the classroom; you are the only teacher, and you are responsible for four different subjects for students who are at different levels. What do you do? This workshop addresses the many challenges this scenario presents. We will discuss successful strategies, tools, and classroom management that will promote success for you and your students. This presentation is a repeat of Session 2.
Content Strand: Instruction/Methodology
Intended Audience: Instructors
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate
Promoting Product or Service? No
Martin Loa and Traci Manseau
The dynamics of multilevel adult ESL classrooms demand a robust, flexible approach to accommodate learners' diverse proficiency levels, goals, and backgrounds. Participants in this session will be introduced to practical classroom activities from BurlingtonEnglish that demonstrate how the comprehensive curriculum can support individualized learning paths and enhance the overall student experience. The session aims to equip educators with the skills to foster engagement, motivation, and autonomy among adult learners, optimizing the learning environment in multilevel ESL settings. Join us to learn how to transform these varied educational scenarios into opportunities for all students to flourish in their pursuit of language proficiency.
Content Strand: Instruction/Methodology, English Language Acquisition
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
Promoting Product or Service? No
Jacqualyn "Jackie" Tin and Teresa Pena
This session will cover understanding and speaking to the classroom demographic by breaking the ice with engaging activities (age-appropriate learning games, poems, tongue twisters, etc.). The focus will be on student retention through engagement for any class, but especially the ESL/ELL population. When the instructor incorporates student WIIFMs -"what's in it for me?"- into lessons, they can implement practical application of the information learned in a fun and engaging way. This session will also showcase the importance of "getting a win" and consistent encouragement (as it is earned). Achieving mutual respect and trust early in the class with fun and positive experiences will promote better engagement with the students and have a positive impact on retention in the classroom.
We will have a few simple games we will play with the audience and a slide show to support the information.
Content Strand: English Language Acquisition
Intended Audience: Instructors
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate
Promoting Product or Service? No
Teri Walker
Are your data tools falling short—and your budget too tight for upgrades? In this hands-on session, you’ll learn how to use AI with the platforms you already have (like Google Sheets, Salesforce, or form builders) to turn messy or incomplete data into funder-ready, equity-centered stories. You’ll explore how to summarize evaluation data, translate logic models, and cut hours from grant writing and reporting—all with free or low-cost AI tools. You'll also walk away with strategies for using AI ethically, protecting sensitive data, and making underutilized data sources work harder for you. Grounded in the Digital Promise EdTech Equity framework, this session will help you bridge the gap between tech limitations and powerful storytelling—without creating a new budget line. This presentation is a repeat of Session 2.
Content Strand: Program Management/Best Practices, Community Collaboration
Intended Audience: Program Administrators
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate
Promoting Product or Service? No
Emily Williams
Wham! Pow! For most of the 20th century, comics and graphic novels were often considered "less than" when it came to reading quality. Learn about the history of sequential art, how reading comics is a unique skill that can actually benefit readers, the importance of visual literacy, and more.
Content Strand: Other forms of Literacy, Literacy Instruction
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
Promoting Product or Service? Free Resources
Tuesday, September 9
SESSION 4
9:00 AM-10:00 AM
SESSION 5
10:15 AM-11:15 AM
SESSION 6
12:45 PM-1:45 PM
Claudette Hixon and Carolyn Lunsford
This session will cover seven areas that will ensure success on the HiSET/GED exams. We will break each area down into easy-to-understand steps. The session will include hands on learning and take-home materials for use in the classroom. The topics will include but are not limited to:
- Algebraic Expressions: Learning the “math” language
- Precents/Ratio/Probability
- Solving Equations
- Simplifying Polynomials
- Functions
- Slope and Slope Intercept form of a line
- Formula Sheet: Understanding how to use it. This presentation is two sessions. Session 4 = Part 1, Session 5 = Part 2.
Content Strand: HSE Prep & Testing
Intended Audience: Instructors, Adult Learners
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
Promoting Product or Service? No
Haleigh D. Klaus, MA, M.Ed, Reading Specialist
Ever wondered why some people thrive on structure while others crave adventure? Or why some are natural peacemakers while others love a deep debate? True Colors is a fun, interactive way to uncover the secrets of personality! Using four vibrant colors—Blue, Gold, Green, and Orange—this session will help you decode your own strengths, understand others better, and boost communication, teamwork, and self-awareness. Whether at work, in school, or in everyday life, embracing your "true colors" makes relationships smoother, conflicts easier to navigate, and collaboration more powerful. Get ready to see yourself—and others—in a whole new light!
Content Strand: Program Management/Best Practices
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate
Promoting Product or Service? Yes
Sally Linhart
Fun activities to promote learning:This session will highlight a multitude of ways to educate adult students in a fun and engaging way. Implementation examples will be provided in the subject areas of Reading, Writing, Math, Science and Social Studies.
Content Strand: Instruction/Methodology
Intended Audience: Instructors
Knowledge Level: Beginners
Promoting Product or Service? No
Jonna McDonough
Would you like to increase enrollment in GED prep classes? Are you asking yourself how to figure out what skills students need to improve their GED test outcomes? Do you offer fast track, accelerated learning pathways, or boot camps for students who are so close to passing in one or more subject? In this session, you will learn how to make the most of GED Manager to bring new students into your classroom with Prep Connect, a GED Manager function often overlooked, but can be a powerful outreach tool (and it is FREE!). You will learn how to use score reports to create a roadmap to success in addition to the reporting capabilities to help you identify students that are missing just one last test in order to earn their HSE credential.
Content Strand:
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
Promoting Product or Service? Free Resources
Chris Miller
Adult education teachers come from diverse educational backgrounds and many without any training to teach reading skills. To help the struggling reader, teachers need to know what are the most important skills that will help learners make better scores across academic subjects. We will preview several strategies of teaching academic reading that will help teachers provide learners with a better understanding of how to approach science, social studies and other academic subjects and will give learners a more organized way to approach learning course content. Active learning strategies presented in this session will help participants understand the transition from "learning to read to reading to learn“.
Content Strand: Instruction/Methodology, Instruction/Methodology
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate
Promoting Product or Service? No
Lynn Swanda
Did you know English learners' brains are wired to hear the sounds of English through their first language?
Building sound awareness helps bridge this gap. Sound awareness helps develop a student’s pronunciation and reading skills, eventually leading them to hear and produce English sounds that are not in their first language.
In this 60-minute workshop we will…
-practice sound awareness
-discover the vowel sounds of English
-talk about these vowel sounds in simple language
Join us for an exploration of the basic foundation of Color Vowel®, an approach supported by brain-based research, using a discovery method through hands-on sound awareness activities that can be quickly integrated into your ESL classroom.
Through sound awareness, Color Vowel® organizes and names the vowels of English in a way that is easy to talk about the sounds. Teachers can address these sounds for feedback, and students can easily ask questions and engage in discussions about English vowel sounds.
Content Strand: English Language Acquisition
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate
Promoting Product or Service? Yes
Mark Woodward
This comprehensive workshop will help parents, grandparents, professionals, and neighbors become more informed about what drugs currently impact their homes, schools, workplace and community. This session will examine:
- Medical Marijuana: Myths and Facts, Vaping, Edibles, and the Dark Side of the Law
- The Fentanyl/Opioid Crisis and Abuse of Home Prescription Medication
- New Deadly Designer Drugs/Counterfeit Pills Targeting Today's Teens
- How Teens Use Social Media to Aid Their Drug Use
- How Users Hide Drug Use in Plain Sight
- The Elephants in the Room: Signs and Symptoms of Substance Abuse
Content Strand: Other forms of Literacy
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators, Adult Learners
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
Promoting Product or Service? No
Kathy Young
Our students have trauma in their past and often in their present. When we learn to recognize how trauma is adversely affecting our students, we can teach them more effectively. This workshop provides foundational neuroscience concepts and connects them to trauma and our students' ability to learn (and our ability to teach). The material is accessible and practical. We will examine resources, skills, and knowledge that will improve your classroom environment. You will also develop a greater understanding of yourself and how your nervous system affects your teaching (and your life). If you feel like you have too much to do and cannot add something else, then this workshop is for you! Trauma-informed instruction is not "one more thing" you have to squeeze into your day - it is an approach to what you are already doing. This workshop will provide research-based best practices for trauma-informed instruction to support you in working smarter, not harder. This presentation is two sessions. Session 4 = Part 1, Session 5 = Part 2.
Content Strand: Instruction/Methodology, HSE Prep & Testing
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators, Adult Learners
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
Jackie Aniebok and Tina Aniebok
Through data, real stories, and actionable strategies, you’ll see how building English skills unlocks confidence and opportunity. Mastering English isn’t just about passing a test—it’s about navigating complex pathways to residency, or overcoming legal and cultural barriers, succeeding in college and thriving in the workplace.
Grammar, vocabulary, reading, and writing don’t just impact academic scores—they shape how clearly and confidently students communicate across all areas of life. This challenges the old idea of English as a “second language.”
English is the language of access, advancement, and connection. Labeling it “ESL” can unintentionally downplay its urgency—for both non-native and native speakers. Poor grammar and limited vocabulary can close as many doors as a language barrier.
You’ll leave with tools and perspective to help yourself or others harness the power of language for measurable achievement.
Because when learners find their voice, they find their way.
Content Strand: English Language Acquisition, HSE Prep & Testing
Intended Audience: Instructors, Adult Learners
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
Promoting Product or Service? No
Robin Graybill
Short Abstract: Learn about the unique needs of Literacy Learners and how to tailor your teaching for ESL students who do not have strong literacy skills in their home languages.
Long Abstract: ESL students’ home languages are considered linguistic assets that teachers can build upon. But, what happens when students have limited literacy in their home language due to war, poverty, refugee status, etc.? These literacy students are sometimes referred to as SLIFE (Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education) and often require additional support, as they often do not have foundational literacy skills to transfer from one language to another.
In this session, we will learn about the unique needs of literacy learners and how their educational backgrounds impact language acquisition. We will also consider ways that ESL teachers can provide instructional scaffolds and supports to accommodate literacy students. While examples from Cambridge Ventures curriculum will be given
Content Strand: Literacy Instruction, English Language Acquisition
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators, Adult Learners
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
Promoting Product or Service? Yes
Claudette Hixon and Carolyn Lunsford
This session will cover seven areas that will ensure success on the HiSET/GED exams. We will break each area down into easy-to-understand steps. The session will include hands on learning and take-home materials for use in the classroom. The topics will include but are not limited to:
- Algebraic Expressions: Learning the “math” language
- Precents/Ratio/Probability
- Solving Equations
- Simplifying Polynomials
- Functions
- Slope and Slope Intercept form of a line
- Formula Sheet: Understanding how to use it. This presentation is two sessions. Session 4 = Part 1, Session 5 = Part 2.
Content Strand: HSE Prep & Testing
Intended Audience: Instructors, Adult Learners
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
Promoting Product or Service? No
Susie Lauer
Drawing from Angela Duckworth's book: Grit, The Power of Passion and Perseverance you will learn ways to persevere, build stamina, understand the value of motivation, and relate it to real-world, practical situations and experiences in the advancement of adult education and literacy. Grit is a combination of passion and perseverance for long-term goals, and it is important for success. The key factor in success in challenging environments. Duckworth believes that grit is more important than talent and using failures as motivation to keep going can build grit.
This presentation offers a valuable understanding and the importance of grit in achieving our life goals. It also provides practical advice on how to develop grit. By understanding grit and developing grit, we can increase our chances of success in life.
Content Strand: Instruction/Methodology, Instruction/Methodology
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators, Adult Learners
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate
Promoting Product or Service? No
Sally Linhart
Using the book Atomic Habits by James Clear as a guide, this session will emphasize the importance of teaching adult learners how to create positive habits and identify negative habits that keep students from reaching their full potential.
Content Strand: HSE Prep & Testing
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators
Knowledge Level: Beginners
Promoting Product or Service? No
Chris Miller
This session supports adult educators in transforming classrooms into dynamic, learner-centered experiences. Participants will explore active learning strategies that boost engagement, support critical thinking, and connect lessons to real-world goals. These approaches lead to stronger confidence, better retention, and improved GED® scores. The session emphasizes adapting instruction to meet diverse learner needs, using assessments to inform teaching, and creating structure through intentional, deep learning strategies. Ideal for instructors and program staff looking to deepen impact on instruction and elevate their teaching practice.
Content Strand: Instruction/Methodology
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Promoting Product or Service? No
Jesús M. Ramírez
From this presentation you will learn the requirements to achieve the final step of the immigration cycle, naturalization. Learn about the extended benefits and rights as an American citizen as well as how to open a USCIS online account to initiate the application process. You will also learn how to seek legal assistance from Department of State recognized organizations as well as how to identify, avoid, and report immigration scams. This presentation is a repeat of Session 2.
Content Strand: English Language Acquisition
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators, Adult Learners
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
Promoting Product or Service? Free Resources
Kathy Young
Our students have trauma in their past and often in their present. When we learn to recognize how trauma is adversely affecting our students, we can teach them more effectively. This workshop provides foundational neuroscience concepts and connects them to trauma and our students' ability to learn (and our ability to teach). The material is accessible and practical. We will examine resources, skills, and knowledge that will improve your classroom environment. You will also develop a greater understanding of yourself and how your nervous system affects your teaching (and your life). If you feel like you have too much to do and cannot add something else, then this workshop is for you! Trauma-informed instruction is not "one more thing" you have to squeeze into your day - it is an approach to what you are already doing. This workshop will provide research-based best practices for trauma-informed instruction to support you in working smarter, not harder. This presentation is two sessions. Session 4 = Part 1, Session 5 = Part 2.
Content Strand: Instruction/Methodology, HSE Prep & Testing
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators, Adult Learners
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
Promoting Product or Service? No
Susan Bernard
Come and learn test-taking strategies to share with your students and tips for preparing students for the HiSET® test. This presentation will show you free resources that you can begin using right away. These methods are used by the Oklahoma City Community College Adult Learning Center which graduated over 300 HiSET® students last school year.
Content Strand: HSE Prep & Testing
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
Promoting Product or Service? Free Resources
Lieutenant Dakota Black and Sergeant Richard Finch
As an educator, you are in a powerful position to identify the red flags of human trafficking—often before anyone else does. In this session, you will learn how to recognize potential signs of trafficking in both youth and adult learners, understand common tactics used by traffickers to manipulate victims, and gain practical tools for reporting concerns and supporting those at risk. You’ll explore real-world scenarios, learn how trafficking intersects with poverty, literacy, and vulnerability, and walk away with resources you can use immediately in your classroom or program. Whether you work in adult education, K–12, or community-based instruction, this training will equip you to be a critical part of the response network—because awareness is the first step to prevention.
Content Strand: Community Collaboration, Other forms of Literacy
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators, Adult Learners
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate
Promoting Product or Service? No
Dr. Ed Collins
Educators, paraprofessionals, students, and allied health professionals are familiar with traditional accommodations and assistive technology often incorporated into a student’s educational program. With the emerging sophistication of Artificial Intelligence (AI), we now see that AI Assistants, AI Agents, and Agentic AI can aid students in addressing various tasks in education and society. The following presentation will speak to aspects of cognition addressed in the educational setting and especially the issues where the diagnostics of Attention Deficit Disorder, i.e., ADHD, and/or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, i.e., OCD, and/or Learning Disabilities are also present. The handout for this session will provide the cognitive variables, AI Assistants /AI Agents, and Agentic AI information including AI Assistant application examples.
Content Strand: Instruction/Methodology
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators, Adult Learners
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
Promoting Product or Service? No
Brittany Crane
During this presentation you will learn about the Hope-Action Theory and how it can be used when advising and supporting students/adults in their career development process. We also will explore how hope can improve a student or adults’ mental well-being to make their transitions to postsecondary education, the military or workforce more seamless. After gaining knowledge on the Hope-Action Theory, learn how to utilize OkCareerGuide to help enlighten students/adults of all backgrounds how their Hope-Action scores directly correlate to their future plans and how they can further their career exploration through the platform.
Content Strand: Program Management/Best Practices, Instruction/Methodology
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators, Adult Learners
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
Promoting Product or Service? Free Resources
Robin Graybill
Join us in this interactive, game-show themed session as we explore how integrating workplace skills into ESL lessons using the Ventures curriculum can open doors to success for English learners.
Content Strand:
Intended Audience:
Knowledge Level:
Promoting Product or Service?
Carrie Miller
Every classroom has a Kermit, an Animal, and a Miss Piggy—learn how to keep them all in the show!
Content Strand: Instruction/Methodology
Intended Audience: Instructors
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate
Promoting Product or Service? No
Kelly Reynolds
You will learn the essential components of a successful citizenship program, from recruiting and marketing to "graduation". You will also receive information about the many resources available to prepare students for the naturalization process. You will learn about incorporating ESL instruction for successful student outcomes.
You will also learn about current and proposed changes to the naturalization process.
Content Strand: Community Collaboration
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate
Promoting Product or Service? No
Lynn Swanda and Susan Reynolds
Do you want Color Vowel® activities to help your English language learners with pronunciation?
In this 60-minute workshop we will…
-practice sound awareness
-discover two Color Vowel® resources
-play quick and easy activities
Join us for interactive play through two amazing resources that are available for purchase. Be prepared to have fun!
Content Strand: English Language Acquisition
Intended Audience: Instructors, Program Administrators
Knowledge Level: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
Promoting Product or Service? Yes