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Free Books

Take home free books to keep learning after we gather.

Our Speakers

Join us to hear from inspiring educators, changemakers, and advocates dedicated to empowering adult learners.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Speaker Title

Organization

FEATURED SPEAKER

Speaker Title

Organization

FEATURED SPEAKER

Speaker Title

Organization

FEATURED SPEAKER

Speaker Title

Organization

Event Schedule

Our schedule begins and ends in main sessions for all. Choose one workshop per each of three rounds, and choose one of three lunchtime topics.

  • 8:30

    Check-in Begins

  • 9:00

    Opening Session: Chamala Jordan, Executive Director, Literacy Volunteers of Illinois

  • 9:05

    Opening Session: Speaker 2 TBA

  • 9:10

    Opening Session: Speaker 3 TBA

  • 9:15

    Opening Session: Speaker 4 TBA

  • 11:45

    Lunchtime: How to Connect and Start a Career Pathway in Clean Energy | Gabriel Perez

    (more…)
  • 11:45

    Lunchtime: Topic 2 TBA

  • 11:45

    Lunchtime: Topic 3 TBA

  • 1:45

    Closing Session: Chamala Jordan, Executive Director, Literacy Volunteers of Illinois

  • 2:00

    Closing Session: Keynote Speaker TBA

  • 2:30

    Closing Session: 2026 Tutor & Learner of the Year Awards

  • 9:45

    Ten (Not-So-Secret) Rules of English Speech | Margaret Goldstein

    (more…)
  • 9:45

    Kiwi & The Senses | Sharon Brauer

    (more…)
  • 9:45

    The Body Matters in the ESL Classroom | Galina Khartulari

    (more…)
  • 9:45

    Joyful Learning: Adding More Fun to Your English Language Lessons | Bria Dolnick

    (more…)
  • 9:45

    Plain Language for Teachers: Creating Student-Centered Worksheets & Handouts | Sarah Glazer

    (more…)
  • 9:45

    Money Math Matters in Financial Literacy | Michael Matos

    (more…)
  • 10:45

    Funify for Retention | Joanne Telser-Frere and Karen Fredrickson

    (more…)
  • 10:45

    Using Functional Speaking Exercises to Increase Student Accuracy and Confidence | Paul Thomas

    (more…)
  • 10:45

    Beyond The Lesson: Building Literacy Through Safety and Trust | Ebony Mason

    (more…)
  • 10:45

    You Cannot Pet a Cat Like a Dog: Relational Presence in Carceral Settings | Danielle Porter

    (more…)
  • 10:45

    Increasing Engagement and Learning Using Arts-Based Techniques | Elizabeth Johnston

    (more…)
  • 10:45

    Engaging with Adult Learners through Book Groups | Jane Rothschild

    (more…)
  • 12:45

    Strategies for Preparing Adult Learners for Medical Forms | Keighty Ward

    (more…)
  • 12:45

    U.S. Citizenship: The Gap between Policy and Lived Reality | Erica Husby

    (more…)
  • 12:45

    Reading as an Experience: Understanding the Beginner’s Journey through a Phenomenological Lens | Danielle Porter

    (more…)
  • 12:45

    Level Up Your Social Media Game | Jenny Siegfried

    (more…)
  • 12:45

    Adult Learning Resources at CPL | Aldo Vasquez and Katriana Robitson

    (more…)
  • 12:45

    Math in Stitches | Jeremy Mathew and Cholpon Tuzabaeva

    (more…)

Workshop Topics

Learn strategies and techniques for teaching and learning vocabulary, pronunciation, conversation, comprehension, reading, writing, handwriting, and computational skills.

Reading

Writing

Math

Vocabulary

Speaking

Conversation

Testimonials

  • I loved the connection with the State of Illinois!

    – Conference Participant
  • This was a nice day, what a fun little conference. I loved that it was reasonably priced, and loved that there were sessions in Spanish too.

    – Conference Participant
  • Well organized, great city officials and community leaders. Wide range of presentations.

    – Conference Participant