ADULT EDUCATION Volume 2/Issue 13

AACAE Conference Page 1-2

COABE Page 2

SNAP E&T Page 3 Helpful Resources Page 4

Adult Education Office Move Page 4

ADULT EDUCATION

November & December 2019

2019-2020 AACAE Officers IN THIS ISSUE

The 2019 Arkansas Association of Continuing and Adult Education (AACAE) Conference was held November 6-8 at the Hotel Hot Springs. Conference attendance continues to grow with over 300 registered attendees this year. All benefitted from networking opportunities and professional development sessions covering instructional strategies, transitions, technology, parental involvement and workforce initiatives. The Adult Learning Alliance also had a strand of workshops.

This year the AACAE Executive Board carefully chose the theme, “Educate, Engage, Elevate,” to acknowledge our connection to our national organization, COABE, and to inspire attendees to spend this time learning and connecting with colleagues. Regina Olson (2018-19 AACAE President) commented in the Executive Board message to conference participants that “Adult Education is an ever changing world, and we can all be better, together.” The keynote speaker for the conference was Ashley Johnson Cross. Cross is currently the CEO & Founder of BIG Consulting, where she upskills and educates clients how to bridge the gap between ideas and implementation. As an Arkansas Rehabilitation Services Corporate Business Engagement Manager turned Consultant, she has undoubtedly made her mark as not only a highly recruited motivational speaker across the country, but as a trainer and author, passionate about helping organizations improve productivity by employing creativity.

The Arkansas Adult Learning Resource Center sponsored a pre-conference training on November 6. The pre-conference was comprised of two half-day sessions Google Boot Camp and Integrating Digital Literacy and Problem Solving into the Curriculum. The pre-conference gave participants ideas and curriculum that can be used immediately with students and shared with colleagues.

Visit AACAE’s Facebook page to see photos from this year’s conference. https://www.facebook.com/Arkansas-Association-of-Continuing-and-Adult-Education-136663163052807

2019 AACAE Conference Held

ADULT EDUCATION | Volume 2/Issue 13 2

AACAE Conference Award Winners

Each year the AACAE recognizes outstanding administrators, teachers, paraprofessionals and community supporters. The 2019-20 AACAE award winners were named during a conference luncheon on November 7.

Outstanding Paraprofessional

Joyce Cook ASU Newport (Jonesboro)

Outstanding Adult Education Teacher

Dawn Humphry Cossatot Community College of the UA

Luther H. Black Outstanding Adult Education Administrator

Tammie Lemmons Black River Technical College

Outstanding Adult Education Supporter

Bob Ware, UA Monticello (McGehee) Nominated by Dorissa Kaufman

2019-20 AACAE Slate of Officers

The 2019-20 AACAE slate of officers have been called into service.

President

Carol Birth, Phillips Community College of UA Adult Education

Vice President Anne Bonkofsky, Russellville Adult Education

Secretary

Dorissa Kaufman, UA Monticello/McGehee Adult Education

Treasurer LaCarol Clement, Lonoke-Prairie Counties Adult Education

Parliamentarian

Terrell Washington, ASU MidSouth Adult Education

Past President Regina Olson, Arkansas Technical University-Ozark

Adult Education

COABE has announced that the 2020 national conference will take place in Baltimore, Maryland from April 5 to April 8, 2020 at the beautiful Baltimore Marriott Waterfront. This conference will be held in partnership with COABE’s Maryland affiliate, the Maryland Association for Adult, Community, and Continuing Education (MAACCE). The conference will showcase national level presenters, keynote speakers, and trending topics in the field. Start planning now for this signature event!

Remember, your membership in AACAE gives you membership to COABE.

Conference registration is now open. To take advantage of early bird rates, register by February 14, 2020. Members save $75 on their registration. Visit https://coabe.org/conference-2020/ for conference details and updates.

ADULT EDUCATION | Volume 2/Issue 13 3

What’s Happening with SNAP E&T

Jason Alexander Marion County

Tina Hopkins, SNAP E&T Coordinator in Marion county has partnered with an adult education instructor to facilitate a managed enrollment class which focused on soft skills and financial literacy skills. The class was referred to as “Job Club” with the students. Recently, Jason Alexander who is one of the students who has been participating in the Job Club, landed a full time job. He attributed his success to the participation in Job Club. Jason was required to take a math test and because of his high score, he said they were going to go ahead and promote him beyond an entry level position. He gave credit to the math instruction he has been receiving at ASU Mountain Home Adult Education and his financial literacy class. Also, there were three separate interviews in which he was able to apply soft skills he acquired from Job Club participation. He has joined our ASU Mountain Home GED program and is currently seeking his credential. He would like to further his education and get a certificate at ASUMH that would allow him to re-enter the field of surveying, but in a more administrative capacity.

Brandon Jiminez Faulkner County

Brandon quit high school after completing the 10th grade. He intended to get his GED® but never got around to it. DHS referred Brandon to Faulkner County SNAP Employment and Training in July of 2019. He enrolled in the program July 29th. To say Brandon was shy and lacked confidence is an extreme understatement. Brandon completed the enrollment process and during the TABE assessment, he scored very well. That gave him the confidence he needed to commit to managed enrollment GED classes in Conway. Brandon came to class 20 hours a week and in just four weeks – he earned his GED. In the beginning of the third week, Brandon mentioned he didn’t feel well. The instructors tried to get him to go home early that day, but Brandon insisted on completing his day. He called the next morning to let us know he wouldn’t be in class, because he’d gone to the Emergency Room the night before with that same pain. They had to do an emergency appendectomy. He returned the following Monday, brushed up and took his Math test, which was the last test for him to earn his GED diploma.

When asked for his comments, Brandon said “this (earning his GED) happened so fast and it has opened up so many opportunities for me that I didn’t have before”. He said coming to Adult Education classes was “kind of what I expected but I didn’t know I would have someone working with me and guiding me like Ms. Vicki (Shadell) does. That is pretty cool to have a coach/case manager”. Brandon has transitioned in to WAGE classes and is currently working on Employability and Customer Service Certificates while looking into opportunities for vocational training. Brandon is a smart, capable young man with an excellent work ethic.

Kayla Lentz & Kasey Carroway Lonoke County

Kayla Lentz has been working hard towards getting her GED. She has completed all but one of the tests and is working on getting her math part of her GED completed as well. Kayla's process has not been an easy one, but she has worked hard and is excited to be finished soon. She has successfully completed Job Club, which allowed her to create an updated resume that helped her to recently get a job at Hardee's in Cabot. After she completes her GED, she hopes to work towards getting her phlebotomy license and possibly going on to become a registered nurse. Kasey Carroway was only in the E&T program for a very short period of time. During that time, Dorothy Kelley, Lonoke County SNAP E&T Coordinator, learned that he had tried to go to college before but overwhelmed himself with too many hours. He was interested in going back, but didn't have anyone to help him with the process necessary for re-enrollment. Ms. Kelly helped Kasey to re-apply, fill out the FAFSA, and gain some computer skills so he would be more confident in completing the online portion of school that is required of all college students now. Kasey has been accepted into ASU-Beebe, and is currently working on his general education classes. Kasey would like to become a lawyer.

ADULT EDUCATION | Volume 2/Issue 13 4

Helpful Resources

Find professional development opportunities offered by the Arkansas Adult Learning Resource Center (AALRC) http://aalrc.org/adminteachers/workshops.html. Stay up to date with adult education’s national organization, the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE) https://www.coabe.org/

ADULT EDUCATION

Quarterly

Adult Education Division of Workforce Services

Arkansas Department of Commerce 1 Commerce Way

Suite 202 Little Rock, AR 72202

501-682-1970

ARCareerEducation.org

Adult Education Office Move Arkansas Adult Education offices have relocated. The move places Adult Education with other state offices under the under the Department of Commerce umbrella.

Remember to update our mailing address in your records.

Adult Education Section 1 Commerce Way

Suite 202 Little Rock, AR 72202