Conference attendees will be able to attend 3 workshops led by experienced literacy instructors and non-profit professionals in ESL, Citizenship, HSE/GED, and ministry with internationals.
All workshop slots are currently filled. If you have a workshop proposal for next year’s conference, email Wes Young at wyoung@tarrantlit.org.
Workshop Descriptions
“ESL: Alive, Awake, and Fun”
Karen Peiser
This workshop will present various lively activities that can be used to make the ESL classroom and online class alive and fun. There will be active hands-on activities to engage the participants. These activities will help teachers spice up their teaching and help students to fun while learning English. Handouts will be given out with instructions for each activities.
“A Taste of TECs”
Matthew Johnston – Literacy Connexus
A Taste of TECs (Teaching English ConneXus) is a one-hour introductory session drawn from the full 7-hour hybrid training for new ESL teachers. Participants gain a brief foundation in language acquisition, explore key differences between adult and child learners, and learn best practices in ESL instruction—along with practical, ready-to-use activities for the ESL classroom.
“Classroom Management and Engagement in Adult Education Programs“
Courtney Bonnet
Student retention in adult education is closely tied to how learners experience the classroom. This session focuses on practical classroom management and engagement strategies that promote consistency, respect, and a sense of belonging for adult learners. Participants will learn how to build positive learning environments, increase participation, and address challenges in ways that keep students motivated, supported, and returning to class. Attendees will leave with immediately applicable strategies to strengthen classroom culture and improve learning outcomes in adult education settings.
“AI in Physical ESL Spaces: A Practical Bridge for All Levels of Digital Literacy“
Kyle Larson, AIR Language
This session is an overview of AIR Language, a hybrid ESL model combining a physical notebook with QR-linked AI supports. Designed for learners across all levels of language and tech literacy, our system helps teachers connect real-life language use to measurable progress, without increasing prep, technology demands, or cognitive load for learners.
“Integrating Prayer into your ESL Classroom”
Matthew Johnston, Literacy Connexus, Steven Crosson, Forefront Experience
Prayer isn’t an extra—it’s the foundation of ministry and mission. This interactive session explores some biblical principles on prayer and strategy for prayer in ministry. Participants will spend time in prayer for students, programs, and one another.
“Pashto & Dari Language Dictionary”
Kayla Nielsen, Alliance 436
The Pashto & Dari Language Dictionary was developed to equip Christians with little or no ESL experience to confidently support and teach Afghan neighbors. The session will focus
on how churches and individuals can use language learning to build relationships with the hope of sharing the Good News.
“Language Hospitality”
Kristyn Kidney, Language Hospitality Project
Language hospitality means participating in multilingual community through intentional and reciprocal acts of hospitality. Come explore principles and practices of language hospitality and learn about The Language Hospitality Project. In an increasingly multilingual society, it is vital to cultivate hospitality by growing together in language, learning, and leadership.
“Director’s Roundtable”
Harry Wilson, HOPE Literacy
For program program and site directors. Come network, share ideas, and find solutions with other directors from throughout the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex.
“Powering Learner Success in Today’s Classroom: What’s New in Ventures 4th Edition”
Robin Graybill, Cambridge University Press
Teachers using the six-level Ventures series explore ready-to-use classroom resources supporting adult English learners at all levels. This session highlights tools that build literacy, career readiness, academic skills, and civic engagement, including collaborative & multilevel worksheets, picture dictionaries, digital workbooks, assessments, and teaching strategies. Attendees leave with adaptable, classroom-ready solutions for instruction.
“From Story to Structure: Helping GED Students Build Strong Writing Skills”
Denise Montgomery, Three Leaf Institute
This interactive workshop explores how storytelling techniques strengthen GED writing
instruction. Participants will learn practical strategies for building student voice, organizing
ideas, and transitioning from personal narrative to structured, evidence-based extended
responses aligned with GED RLA scoring expectations.
“Phoemic Awareness in the Adult ESL Classroom”
Linda Waggoner, M.Ed
This session will present a method developed and copyrighted by Patricia Lindamood to teach English phonemic awareness. Participants will learn descriptive names for the consonant sounds in English and how to produce them correctly. This method works very well with ESL students who want to speak English like an American. Learning to recognize the six kinds of syllables in English will also be included.
“Creating A Welcoming Space For Refugee Ministry”
Jeff Cross, Northwest Community Center
Learn how Northwest Bible Church started ministry to refugees in the Vickery Meadow area of Dallas more than 25 years ago in apartment complexes, eventually moving into a 15,000 square feet community center. Discover how programs have become more holistic through partnerships and volunteer engagement, with more than 45,000 refugee visits to the center each year.
“Building Progress in Reading: Informal Assessment“
Joan Grigsby, M.Ed.
Formal testing in adult education serves important purposes, but it does not always show a full picture of specific strengths and weaknesses. This session will cover simple strategies for ongoing, informal ways to identify areas for targeted instruction in reading. This session is most appropriate for teachers of HSE or intermediate to advanced ESL students.
“Teaching Citizenship“
Maria Claudia Vanegas, Light of Hope Immigration Law Center
This informative session will explain who qualifies to apply for U.S. citizenship, what documentation is required, and what to expect during the naturalization interview and civics test. Participants will leave with clear, practical guidance to better support individuals pursuing citizenship.
“Teaching Soft Skills to Adult Learners“
Courtney Taylor, Automotive Apprenticeship Group
This session will explore why soft skills matter for job placement, retention, and long-term career growth. Participants will gain actionable engagement strategies for the classroom including real-world application, role-play, and employer-aligned instruction. Special emphasis is placed on mindset development and bridging the gap between classroom learning and workplace success.
“Using AI in the ESL Classroom“
Charlie Johnston, Literacy ConneXus
Keep it real and practical by using AI in the classroom. We will explore various platforms such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and others. We will look at how these tools can help you create quick practical resources and save you time.
Presenter Bios
Matthew Johnston is Executive Director of Literacy ConneXus, equipping churches and volunteers to serve immigrants and refugees through English and literacy ministry. With extensive experience in ESL instruction, training, and curriculum development, he leads with a commitment to educational excellence, cross-cultural partnership, and Christ-centered
service.
Dr. Harry Wilson co-founded HOPE Literacy and has been it’s sole executive director for over 20 years. He has helped to establish over 125 church-based ESL programs since its founding. Dr. Wilson holds a doctorate in Islamic Studies from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and serves faithfully at his Arabic-speaking church in Fort Worth.
Karen Peiser has 31 years experience of Teaching ESL. She is currently the Director of ESL at Southland Baptist Church in San Angelo, Texas which she started in 2007. She is also a ministry consultant and ESL Teacher trainer for Literacy ConneXus.
Dr. Courtney Bonnet is an educational consultant, speaker, and instructional leader committed to empowering adult learners and the educators who serve them. Her work focuses on creating engaging, supportive learning environments that promote persistence, confidence, and workforce readiness. Dr. Bonnet brings practical strategies and a hopeful, learner-centered approach to adult education.
Kayla Nielsen has over a decade of experience teaching English as a Second Language. She taught Oral English at Sias University in China for four years and has taught ESL to refugee communities in Dallas Texas since 2017. She is TESOL certified and hold a bachelor’s degree in Cross-Cultural Ministry from Montreat College.
Kristyn Kidney is the co-director of the Language Hospitality Project. Her 25+ year language teaching career has taken her all over the world and allowed her to dialogue with diverse learners and teachers from a variety of cultures and contexts.
Kyle Larson is a former secondary ESL teacher and current CEO of AIR Language. He works with school districts and nonprofit literacy organizations to design practical, human-centered language systems for multilingual learners, blending orthodox language theory, classroom practice, and responsible AI to support real-world language growth.
Robin Graybill is a teacher, teacher trainer, and support specialist, and now serves as an Account Manager for Cambridge. She holds an MA in TESOL from San Francisco State University and spent ten years in the classroom before transitioning to ESL educational publishing, where she combines her passion for teaching, pedagogy, and supporting
educators and learners.
Denise Montgomery is a veteran educator with 25 years of experience teaching English
Language Arts in Dallas ISD. She is an author, literacy advocate, and founder of Three Leaf
Literacy Leadership & Learning Institute. She specializes in helping GED and ESL learners
strengthen writing through storytelling and structured academic strategies.
Linda D. Waggoner, M.Ed. is an elementary, all-level Special Education, and ESL teacher who specializes in teaching phonemic awareness, phonics, and primary-level reading instruction. She currently works with adults who are nonreaders or low-level readers.
Jeff Cross serves on staff at Northwest Bible where he has been focused on welcoming refugees to Dallas at Northwest Community Center for over six years. He recently transitioned from director to leading a career development program for refugees. With over 17 years of experience in the non-profit sector, Jeff has contributed to organizations in the areas of finance, business operations and program management.
Maria Claudia Vanegas serves as Education Program Coordinator at Light of Hope Immigration Law Center, where she supports immigrant families through education, outreach, and legal information services. She works closely with community members preparing for naturalization, helping them understand the citizenship process and access reliable, accurate information. With a heart for empowering immigrants and strengthening families, Maria Claudia is passionate about equipping individuals with the knowledge and confidence they need to take the next step toward U.S. citizenship.
Courtney Taylor is the Career Development Manager for the Automotive Apprenticeship Group. She is also a public speaker on various topics focused on developing individuals for the workforce. Her signature focus is that of Soft Skills needed across industry sectors.
Charlie Johnston has served as the Missions and Ministry Associate at Hunters Glen Baptist Church for the last 10 years, where he oversees an ESL program with over 200 students. He also serves as the ESL Training Coordinator for Literacy ConneXus and a TECs Teacher Trainer, equipping volunteers to teach with excellence and confidence in church-based ESL programs.
March 7th, 2026 
do we get a professional development certificate?
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Hello Megan! Great question. There is a general certificate for you to fill out that will be in your conference bag that you will receive at registration.
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