Colleagues:
In what ways does your program involve learners as partners in decision 
making?Have you ever participated in professional development led by adult 
learners? Have you ever felt that you learned something from adult learners in 
your class? Is learner leadership something you want to see grow in your 
state, but you're not sure how to get started?

On April 18 – May 2nd guests will be joining NIFL-AALPD for a two part 
discussion of learner leadership in professional development and program 
improvement.
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To subscribe to NIFL-AALPD:
http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/discussions/nifl-aalpd/subscribe_aalpd.html
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Guests:
William Grant, VALUE National Trainer, Director of Education for Voz, Inc., a 
statewide professional development provider for New Mexico Adult Education, 
and Co-founder of BLAST, New Mexico's student leadership project

Ernest Best, Executive Director of The Massachusetts Alliance for Adult 
Literacy (Mass AAL) statewide student organization

Sally Gabb, Director of SABES SE (System for Adult Basic Education Southeast). 
Sally serves as the SABES liaison to Mass AAL, the Massachusetts Alliance for 
Adult Literacy.

Stephen Hanley, Executive Director and Educator, WAITT House, Roxbury, 
Massachusetts. For 20 years, the WAITT House program has involved learner 
leadership at every level: volunteer, student advisory council, internship, 
staff, community activism, and the governing level.

Pixie Hankinson, Executive Director of Vermont Adult Learning and Learning 
Works.

Benika Pierce, Learner Leader, Literacy Council of Tyler, Texas. Benika 
co-developed M.O.M.S.( Motivating Other Mothers for Success), a support group 
designed to create an encouraging community for moms attending GED classes and 
cultivate learner leaders.

Angela Childers, Case Manager/Instructor, Literacy Council of Tyler, Texas. 
Angela served on a team with adult learners in developing M.O.M.S.

Daniel Behnke, AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer, Florida Literacy Coalition. Daniel 
works in partnership with learners to increase leadership opportunities for 
adult learners in Florida.

Judy Healey-Schmidt, OAASIS (Organization of Adult Alumni and Students in 
Servive) worker.  Judy acts in a program advisory capacity, assisting 
students, instructors, and program administrators in day-to-day activities.

Meredith Lewis, OAASIS (Organization of Adult Alumni and Students in Servive) 
Advisor, Deleware.  Meredith coordinates events and provides support to OAASIS 
workers.  OAASIS is the statewide student organization which links current 
students with their peers.

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Part One: April 18th – 22nd
"Students Involvement in Teacher Training"
What is the role of adult students leading teacher training? What do adult 
students teach teachers in professional development?    We will explore 
participants’ experiences in both participating in and delivering student-led 
trainings for teachers, and how to develop learner led PD in your program or 
state.

Part Two: April 24th – May 2nd
"VALUE Core Leadership Training and Learner Leadership Organizations"
Participants on the NIFL-AALPD list will share their experiences with the 
VALUE Core Leadership Training and projects that developed as a result of the 
training; experiences with learner leadership organizations, learner leader 
involvement in programs, professional development for learner leaders, and how 
to best support learner leadership in programs and states.

About the VALUE Core Leadership Training
The VALUE Core Leadership Training provides learners, practitioners, and 
programs the essentials of what they need to know in order to have meaningful 
student involvement in programs. The training is offered through state 
entities for programs. Practitioners and adult learners analyze program 
improvement issues, and collaborate in designing action plans and developing 
projects directed at program improvement.  Learners strengthen abilities in 
areas such as critical thinking, organizational skills, time management, and 
other related leadership skills.

I hope you will join us!
Jackie Taylor, NIFL-AALPD List Moderator, jataylor at utk.edu