Houston Literacy Consortium Conference
July 1-3, 2008
Instructor Bios
Liliana Black has more than 10 years experience teaching ESL, EL Civics, and GED. She is currently a full-time ESL teacher trainer at HCDE (Harris County Department of Education) and is an adjunct ESL professor at Lone Star College - Cy Fair. She presents student orientation for ESL/GED, coordinates community visits at HCDE, and designs and delivers workshops nationwide. Recent presentations include Ticket to Technology, Conversation in the Classroom, and Building Community from Day One. She holds a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA). She is a board member and webmaster for TexTESOL Region 4. (Texas Region 4 Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). Also, she is a current member of COABE and TALAE.
Cordelia Butler has always had a passion for education. As an educator of ESL with Lone Star College - Cy Fair, she is one of four instructors selected to spearhead the first ABE Transition Class—a pilot program designed to prepare ESL Level IV students to develop their reading comprehension and writing skills for transition to ABE. With her colleagues at Houston Community College, Cordelia is also preparing to teach another pilot program: Distance Learning 101—an online program purposed to teach adult learners at a distance. Ms. Butler loves to teach, read, learn, and empower. She believes, “Whatever you vividly imagine, sincerely believe, ardently desire, and enthusiastically act upon—must inevitably come to pass!”
Karen Couey is currently the GED/ESL Coordinator for Brazosport College in Lake Jackson, Texas. Karen started her career as a History and English teacher in Houston area schools. She worked for 10 years as an ESL Instructor and International Student Advisor at the University of Texas at Austin where her interest in cross-cultural communication began and her first workshops on the subject were given. Karen also lived for four years in Japan, an experience which further contributed to her interest in the subject.
Margaret Flint has been an adult educator for over 13 years teaching ABE/GED/ESL classes at Houston Community College System. Margaret was certified as a "Train the Trainer" for Texas Education Agency training instructors throughout the state of Texas. She has conducted numerous Student/Worker Development trainings at TALAE and COABE conferences.
Denise Johnson has been an adult educator for over 2 years teaching ABE/GED/ESL classes at Houston Community College System. A graduate of Grambling, State University she has taught all levels of ESL and ABE through GED (ASE) in learning centers, and site classrooms. As a State Trainer she presents on various Mathematics including Number Operations and Sense, Algebra, Geometry, and Chart and Graphs.
Doris Larry began her career in education with the Houston Independent School District teaching students in grades K – 6th. Prior to beginning her career in education, Doris has also worked as a home economist with the Texas Agriculture Extension Service educational programs. She has served on the 2002 HCC-NE Adult Education Committee to develop the Instructional Scope for ABE/GED. Doris has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (WESTAT) as an Exercise Administrator for Adult Education Program Study. For several years, Doris has worked in the field of Adult Literacy as an instructor, curriculum developer, and trainer. She is currently the training manager for Houston READ Commission adult education program and a GED instructor for Houston Community College. Doris has facilitated many workshops and enjoys her career in adult education. She has a B.S. in Human Services and Consumer Sciences and a M.A. in Counseling. She is a member of American Counseling Association and CHI SIGMA IOTA Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International.
Cynthia McConnell received her Bachelor of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education from Sam Houston State University. For twelve plus years she has taught ABE/GED classes at College of the Mainland in Texas City. She enjoys attending conferences such as COABE and TALAE plus workshops, to learn new strategies that will that help improve instruction. Cynthia has been a Project GREAT Coastal trainer since its inception in 2003. She currently serves in the capacity of Lead GED Teacher, the Coordinator of Professional Development for Adult Basic Education and is a mentor for all new GED teachers.
Audrey Nelson-Ricks received her BS in Education from Texas Southern University and her MA in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas at Tyler. Her Adult Education Trainings include: CELTA Institute, Workforce Academy I and II, and the ESL/Reading Institute. Audrey was involved with the College of the Mainland’s ESL/GED programs and the ABE program at Harris County Education Center. Her Trainings for the Coastal GREAT Center revolve around diverse topics including curriculum, instructional strategies and using technology.
Mandy Seybold, is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University. She has a B.S. in hearing impaired science, a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, and a M.Ed. for Professional Reading Specialist. She also has her Master Reading Teacher Certification. For the past 6 years she has served in many different capacities as an educator. Mandy taught 4th grade reading & language arts, enrichment, served as testing coordinator, and was a reading interventionist. Currently she teaches 1st grade, a reading course at Angelina College, serves as the Auditory Impaired Consultant for Jasper ISD, and teaches Citizenship and ESL classes at the Region 5 Adult Education Center in Jasper. She is also developing curriculum for ESL and Citizenship for Region 5. Mandy has been a Project GREAT Coastal Trainer since 2007, as a member of the literacy team.
Stacy Shultz is currently a literacy consultant with Region V Education Service Center. She has been in education for 12 years where she has worked with Kindergarten through 8th grade students. She has a Masters in Secondary Education as well as a Master Reading Teacher Certification. She has a passion for literacy that drives her to ensure that all learn to read and be successful.
Wendell Webster has been an ABE/GED instructor with the Association for the Advancement of Mexican-Americans for the past year. He has a BA in Guidance and Counseling from Texas Southern University. He has also attended many continuing education courses and workshops to further and enhance his career. He previously worked at the Houston READ Commission as a Teacher, Center Manager, and Trainer. He also provided Technical Assistance for the Houston LiteracyConsortium. He has helped and continues to encourage all his students to get a GED in order to better their lives and get better jobs. Wendell informs his students to do all the good you can, to all the people you can, in as many ways as you can, just as long as you can.
Kay Vaccaro, a Program Coordinator for Harris County Department of Education, has been in adult education since 1987. A graduate of the University of Texas, Austin, she has taught all levels of ESL and ABE through GED (ASE) in learning centers, site classrooms and the workplace. In 1995 she received the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award from the Texas Association for Literacy and Adult Education. As a State Trainer she presents on various adult education topics including TABE and BEST training, ESL and GED strategies and teaching styles and techniques. She is also certified as a BEST Plus Trainer by the Center for Applied Linguistics.
