2026 MCEA Fall Conference: Full Schedule

11:15am CDT

Community Connections: Helping Students Navigate the Road to the College Classroom

Wednesday October 21, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT

Moving from ABE to the college classroom can be intimidating for many students, so a lot of them don't even give it a shot. Jeff Lepper and Leslie Haack will explain how they helped build a bridge for students coming through ABE to transition and be successful in the college classroom. With over a decade of data and anecdotes, they want to share how they were able adopt a different teaching model.

Speakers

Leslie Haack

Program Manager, Adult Education Pathways at Hawthorne

As an ABE teacher of 23 years, Leslie has a great deal of experience working with adult English Language Learners and native speakers working to improve their academic and career skills. He has also worked across organizations to partner with other educators at Rochester Community... Read More →

Jeff Lepper

English Faculty, Rochester Community and Technical College

Jeff Lepper
Jeff Lepper has been teaching in the English department at Rochester Community and Technical College for the past 17 years. In that time, he has focused on developmental English education and other core composition classes, serving on numerous committees across the college to fos... Read More →

Wednesday October 21, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT
Suite 109 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Adult Basic Ed

1:30pm CDT

Adult Drivers Education and becoming a third party proctor

Wednesday October 21, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT

Suite 109 - Lower Level

Learn how our adult education program developed an Adult Drivers Education course and became an approved third-party proctoring site for the Minnesota Class D Knowledge Test. This work has been transformational for our students. Access to a driver’s permit impacts employment, education, childcare, independence, safety, and confidence.

Key Takeaways:

Learn why adult drivers education is important
Learn how to become a third party proctor
Tips and strategies for teaching adult drivers education

Speakers

Susan Edmonson

ABE Coordinator, 191 Burnsville, Eagan, Savage

Susan has been the 191 ABE Coordinator for five years and was an ABE Teacher in the district for 11 years prior. She graduated in 2026 from Mankato State University with her Masters in Educational Leadership and her Community Education Director's license. She lives in Farmington with... Read More →

Wednesday October 21, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT
Suite 109 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Adult Basic Ed

2:45pm CDT

Digital Skills for All: Opening the Door to Possibility

Wednesday October 21, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT

Suite 109 - Lower Level

Learn how Northstar Digital Literacy can help you assess and teach basic digital skills to your program participants.
Attendees will learn what is included in the free and subscription version of Northstar and how this tool can be used to teach beginning digital skills to all ages from 4th grade students to senior citizens.

Speakers

Theresa Sladek

Northstar Strategic Partnerships Manager, Northstar Digital Literacy/Literacy MN

Theresa Sladek, MA, is the Strategic Partnerships and Northstar Business Development Manager at Literacy Minnesota working with organizations to ascertain and implement their digital literacy needs. Theresa is the Steering Committee chair for the Open Door Collective, supporting poverty... Read More →

Wednesday October 21, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT
Suite 109 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Adult Basic Ed

4:00pm CDT

Beyond the GED Study Hall: Transforming Learning in Correctional Education

Wednesday October 21, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm CDT

Suite 109 - Lower Level

Discover how a correctional education program evolved from a traditional GED study hall into an engaging, supportive learning environment. This session will share practical strategies for increasing student motivation, participation, and success. Explore approaches that help build connections with a diverse and sometimes challenging student population. While focused on incarcerated learners, the ideas and strategies presented can be applied in a variety of adult education and classroom settings.

Speakers

Stacy Everding

Coordinator, Southwest Adult Basic Education, South

Stacy Everding has worked in Adult Basic Education for more than 10 years, first as a teacher and now as the Coordinator for Southwest ABE South. Throughout her career, she has taught English language learners, citizenship classes, and GED preparation courses. She has also served... Read More →

Lisa Woll

ABE Teacher, Southwest Adult Basic Education, South

Lisa Woll is an ABE Teacher for District 518 which is part of the Southwest Consortium. Lisa has been teaching ABE in Worthington for the past four years where she teaches Intermediate English and Citizenship. In addition, Lisa spends her afternoons at Prairie Justice Center of Nobles... Read More →

Wednesday October 21, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm CDT
Suite 109 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Adult Basic Ed

1:30pm CDT

Utilizing Northstar Digital Literacy to Improve Digital Literacy Skills for Adult Learners

Thursday October 22, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT

Suite 109 - Lower Level

Come learn more about how Hawthorne Education Center (Rochester) uses Northstar Digital Learning to improve digital literacy skills for adult learners across three different classroom settings. Activities will show best practice ideas of how to incorporate this interactive website in different ways. Participants will have an opportunity to try Northstar during the session; laptop or other device recommended to fully participate.

Northstar Digital Literacy is a website with free access to learning essential computer skills, software, and technology for daily life.
Topics for learning include introductory information (Basic Computer Skills, Internet Basics) to more specialized information (Windows 11, Google Doc, Social Media).
Application of knowledge to benefit K-12 programs through module on supporting K-12 Distance Learning models.

Speakers

Karen Cook

Teacher, Adult Literacy, Hawthorne Education Center (Rochester Public Schools)

With more than 20 years of experience working in varied educational settings, Karen brings a wealth of concepts and connections. She has worked as a College Administrator, Children's Museum Coordinator, Special Education Assistant, Adult Literacy Coordinator, and most recently as... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT
Suite 109 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Adult Basic Ed

1:15pm CDT

Cultural Considerations: Building Relationships with ELL Families

Friday October 23, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm CDT

Suite 109 - Lower Level

Are you planning events but unable to engage with all culturally diverse families? Explore the benefits of dual multilingual learners as well as strategies to build a connection. Specific focus on ELL Family Engagements, considerations on how to create a successful event, and how to apply cultural relevance to build a larger community.

Key Takeaways:

Participants will see the benefits and challenges of translation services including an interactive activity using Google Translate.
Practical considerations in planning events for the entire community through a cultural diversity equity lens.

Speakers

Karen Cook

Teacher, Adult Literacy, Hawthorne Education Center (Rochester Public Schools)

Friday October 23, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm CDT
Suite 109 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Adult Basic Ed

11:15am CDT

1:30pm CDT

2:45pm CDT

4:00pm CDT

1:30pm CDT

1:15pm CDT

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