Moving forward
by Mary Kay Peterson, PAACE President

As my time as PAACE President starts to wind down and Midwinter Conference is almost upon us, I’d like to thank the Board of Directors and the membership for the opportunity. It is truly one of the finest experiences I’ve had in life and I appreciate the support of everyone.

Another era is coming to an end with the retirement of Myron Hallock, our 2004 Honorary Chair for the Midwinter Conference. Myron has been a good friend to the adult education field and I know you join in saying thank-you to Myron and congratulations on his retirement. We all hope that Myron his lovely wife Jane will have many, many years of fun and adventure ahead.

Our efforts around advocacy for programs will need to remain strong in the coming year as measures to address the federal deficit begin to be formulated. We must be vigilant in educating legislators and the public on the benefits of what we do, on all levels—from literacy to higher continuing education—to the quality of life, the economy, and the strength of the workforce here in Pennsylvania. In the tumble of daily life, please take the time when a legislative alert goes out to make that call, send those letters, and activate student leadership. We need to continue the lifelong learning of our legislators by keeping them informed of the important work we do for our learners. (See Legislative Update below for more ideas.)

Finally, the organization will continue to be strong with the leadership of the Board of Directors and incoming President Bob McNeill. The strongest component of a membership organization is, of course, its membership. Your participation is important and I would encourage anyone interested in getting involved to contact either your regional representative or me. Happy New Year!

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by Bob McNeill, Delaware Valley College, PAACE First Vice-President/Conference Program Chair

Bob McNeill introduces higher ed award winners at the 2004 PAACE Midwinter Conference.

Our Honorary Chair is Turkey Hill Dairy in recognition of the wonderful ongoing work they are doing with Family Literacy and Literacy in the Workplace. Look for the workshop presented by Cheryl Hiester and Pattie Strayer on Thursday morning to learn more about the great work being accomplished for Turkey Hill employees.

Our conference officially opens on Wednesday afternoon with the Legislative Luncheon. This is a great opportunity to meet our legislators as they honor the outstanding students in adult basic literacy and continuing higher education. You are invited to listen to the success stories of these award recipients immediately after the luncheon. For those of you who are tutors of literacy or involved in corrections education, there are division meetings at 4:15, as well as several interesting workshops for you to attend.

The Marketplace, a favorite of past attendees, opens at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the Exhibition Hall of the Hershey Lodge. This attraction will remain open during the conference to provide you the opportunity to visit and chat with the many vendors that are there to provide you with information on their products. (For information on the Marketplace, contact Mary Kay Peterson for vendors, at mkpeterson@chesco.com, or Helen Guisler for agencies, at hguisler@tiu11.org.)

Later, several PAACE Divisions will participate in Ice Cream Socials designed for those from across Pennsylvania to meet and share ideas with their peers in ABSE, ESL, and Workforce Development. And of course Wednesday is capped with the ever popular PDC Reception.

After the PAACE Board Meeting on Thursday morning, our Keynote Speaker, Mr. William Draves of the Learning Resources Network, will talk with us about the changes in adult education that have taken place and are likely to take place. Bill is the President of LERN, the leading organization in lifelong and online learning.

After the keynote address, you are invited to participate in over 100 workshops that will be offered through the remainder of the conference.

The PAACE Annual Meeting and Luncheon takes place at noon on Thursday. This has always been a great opportunity to find out what PAACE has been up to in the past year, and what the plans are for the coming year. You will also have the opportunity to be introduced to the outstanding ABLE practitioners. In addition to the workshops following the luncheon, there will be an ABLE Honor Roll session. The board of the Continuing Education Association of Pennsylvania will meet at 2 PM.

After the workshops wrap up for the day, you are invited to attend the Newcomers and Past Presidents Reception at 6 PM. Come share your positive experiences with new PAACE members and have a chance to meet those who have dedicated their time to make PAACE what it is today. This reception is followed immediately by the outstanding annual Conference Banquet, during which our Honorary Chair will be recognized and we will honor the outstanding adult student of the CEA/PA. Following the banquet, you are invited to the CEA/PA Hospitality reception or remain in the banquet room for dancing and a good time.

Finally, the conference concludes on Friday with the continuation of workshop presentations and Program Division Luncheons.

Let me see … Did I miss anything? Of course, I did! There is so much in which to participate, so much to learn, and such great camaraderie that it is just not possible to do this great conference justice in this space.

You will just have to register for the conference to experience why this conference is the premier conference for all adult educators in The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Register online easily at www.paacesite.org. Keep up with the sessions and schedule there too.

Come learn, share, and change the face of adult education in the future!

All the best in 2005!

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Make a New Year’s resolution: Educate your legislators
by JoAnn Weinberger, Center for Literacy, PAACE Legislative Committee Chair

What is adult basic and literacy education? Do your legislators (and their aides) know the answer? Do they know that it includes basic literacy through GED and secondary school diploma? Family literacy? English as a second language? Workforce education? Foundation skills? Distance learning? Do they know how important their funding is? Do they know the needs in their district?

Now is the time to make a New Year’s Resolution to inform your legislators about what you do and why your learners come to your program!

Each of you has the possibility of educating five legislators and/or their aides: At the federal level, Pennsylvania has two senators, Senator Arlen Specter and Senator Rick Santorum, and Congressional representatives, one for each district. In addition, at the state level, you have one senator and one representative.

• Step One: Choose one or more of your legislators to educate. If you receive only federal ABLE funding, choose from the senators and your Congressman/woman. If you receive only state funding, choose from your state senator and representative. If you receive funding from both sources, you have your choice of five individuals.
  
  
• Step Two: Decide what you want your legislator education program to include. Possibilities include written descriptions of your program, letters from learners and tutors, invitations to visit classes, and/or an invitation to be a keynote speaker at a special event, and visit to his or her legislative office. Note: This educational program of legislators should include a thank-you for past funding.
  
  
• Step Three: Develop a timeline for this education program—the activities included can extend over a several month or year timeframe.
  
  
• Step Four: START the education program.
  
  
• Step Five: Use the PAACE members e-mail list to share what your plans are so that networking can occur on what is happening across the Commonwealth.

Until our legislators know the importance of what we do for their constituency, this educational program is the most critical thing we can do. You cannot ask for additional funds until your legislators know what their funding is “buying” and what the need is.

Do you have questions? Please e-mail me at weinberger@centerforliteracy.org. I will be happy to work with you on developing and carrying out this educational program.

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Family Literacy
Good things are happening here …
by Ruth Love-Schooley, Lycoming County Library System, Family Literacy Division Director

Hedda Sharapan

So much is happening at the Midwinter Conference that you’ll have to see it to believe it. You are planning to attend, aren’t you? Hedda Sharapan will be presenting a workshop titled “From Lullabies and Lap songs to Literacy,” a fun and practical workshop that will present a sound child development approach to the three areas of emergent literacy: language, print, and writing. Hedda is the Associate Director of Public Relations at Family Communications, Inc., the company that produced Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for over three decades.

David Newell, a.k.a. Mr. McFeely

And if that is not enough, David Newell will be appearing as Mr. McFeely in the Marketplace during the grand opening Wednesday evening.

Mr. McFeely will be available to talk with you and autograph pictures. Thanks to Commonwealth Libraries and WITF for their support on this endeavor. In conjunction, PAACE is sponsoring a Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Sweater Drive. To participate, bring a new or slightly used sweater to the Family Literacy display. Sweaters will be distributed to those who need them through the United Way of Pennsylvania. Everyone is encouraged to participate, not just Division members.

Also, if you would like your program's photo to be a part of the Family Literacy display please send it to Rose Gioia-Fine electronically at gioiafine@comcast.net or by mail to her at 308 Third Street Monongahela, PA 15063. The deadline for photos is January 15, 2005.

Last but not least, three programs will be recognized as award winners of the first annual Goodling Family Literacy Best Practice Awards. This presentation will take place at the Division Luncheon on Friday. If you have any questions about Family Literacy Division happenings, please don’t hesitate to call me at (570) 321-0200 or Susan Mansuetti at (724) 773-7810. I look forward to seeing you in February.

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Continuing Higher Education (CHE)
Conference offering more than ever for higher ed
by Mary Anne Varacalli, Delaware County Community College

As your Higher Ed representative on the PAACE board, I am urging all Continuing Higher Education Division members of PAACE and members of CEA/PA to pay particular attention to the information that you will be receiving about the PAACE Midwinter Conference that is scheduled for February, 9, 10, and 11, 2005. Excellent workshops that have been designed specifically for higher ed members and the keynote speaker, who will be of particular interest to you.

Keynote speaker Bill Draves

The keynote speaker this year will be Bill Draves, President of LERN, the Learning Resource Network. LERN is the leading international association in lifelong learning programming, offering information and resources to providers of lifelong learning programs, with more that 5,000 members in 12 countries.

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It was a cold winter’s afternoon in February 1998 that the CEA/PA Board of Directors voted to join forces and partner with the Pennsylvania Association for Adult Continuing Education (PAACE).

The partnership was initially discussed with two key players. Dr. David Dentler was the president of PAACE and Dr. Jan Orris was the president of CEA/PA. The two were brought together by Dr. Evelyn Mayer, Assistant Commissioner, Office of Postsecondary and Higher Education for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (now retired). After a number of meetings, there was consensus among the three that this would be good for all concerned.

The next step was for the boards of PAACE and CEA/PA to consider this proposal for a partnership. Each board met numerous times before an agreement was determined. The partnership, which was announced at the 1998 Midwinter Conference in Hershey, essentially made CEA/PA the Continuing Higher Education Division of PAACE.

The benefits have been good for both parties. For PAACE, there is now an active CHE division. For CEA/PA, there is access to the benefits of a larger organization: a large annual conference, a larger membership, and access to an active political and legislative effort.

Six years later, the partnership is stronger. There are shared costs, such as the keynote speaker for the annual conference. Conference registrations have increased. Education in Pennsylvania is stronger because of this partnership.

Visit CEA/PA's website at www.ceapa.org.

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Meet our Board candidates

Ballots are in the mail for the 2005-06 PAACE slate of officers. You may vote for the person nominated for each position or write in a candidate of your choice. Ballots must be returned to Linda Herr by January 15, 2005. Below are the candidates' brief biographies.

President: Robert McNeill is the Director of Continuing Education for Delaware Valley College in Doylestown and has been active in Adult and Continuing Education for over 25 years. He is a firm believer in the necessity of adult and continuing education at every level. He has been the PAACE co-chair for the Outstanding Adult Student in Higher Education Award for several years, and was the Continuing Higher Education Committee Chair for three years. He was the president of the Continuing Education Association of Pennsylvania in 1999. Bob also teaches adult students at the graduate and undergraduate levels in Business and Computer Science. He is a National Councilor for Alpha Sigma Lambda, the National Honor Society for Adult Students, and was chosen by students to be honored with the Continuing Education Award presented by the local chapter of this association. In addition to his work with adult students, Bob also serves his church community by coaching a CYO soccer team, and is the regional soccer commissioner for this league. He holds an MBA from St. Joseph’s University where he also earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Management in 1977. All of Bob’s post-secondary education was as a non-traditional student. Bob looks forward to doing what he can to promote and further the ideals of PAACE for the benefit of its members.

1^st Vice President: Debbie Hrach has spent the past 22 years in education as both a teacher and an administrator. She has taught at the middle and high school levels as well as in the community college and adult education arenas. She has an MA in English and holds teaching certifications in English and math. Debbie has 18 years of experience as a trainer, is certified as a supervision tutor trainer for ProLiteracy Worldwide, and was a part of a team assigned to review LLA’s national accreditation standards for volunteer literacy programs. She is currently 2^nd Vice President of PAACE and previously served on the board of directors for Tutors of Literacy in the Commonwealth. Debbie is a trainer for the Northwest Professional Development Center and is also the Supervisor of Instructional Programs at Stairways behavioral Health in Erie, PA.

2^nd Vice President: Chuck Klinger has worked for the Tuscarora Intermediate Unit #11 since November 2000. He is currently the South-Central Professional Development Center coordinator and also serves as lead trainer for GED trainings. Prior to working in adult education, Chuck spent six years working in the mental health field and four years working as a teacher. He earned a Master’s Degree in Adult and Organizational Development from Temple University.

Secretary: Karen E. Warner has worked in the Adult Education Program at Lincoln Intermediate Unit #12 for the past 33 years. She currently is the GED Test Center Chief Examiner and Program Assistant to the Supervisor of Special Projects. In addition to her work with LIU 12, Karen is a Water Safety Instructor and First Aid/CPR instructor at the YWCA of York. Karen has served as Registration Chair/Co-Chair for 19 years for the PAACE Midwinter Conference and was the 1995 recipient of the PAACE service award. She also serves on the South-Central Professional Development Center Advisory Committee. Karen graduated from York College of Pennsylvania in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, attending as a non-traditional student.

Treasurer: Frank Nardone is the Director of Federal and State Programs at Luzerne IU #18. Frank has designed and implemented programs, such as adult literacy program at the County Correctional Facility and HUD Homeless Initiative; directed school-based dropout prevention programs; coordinated special needs transportation; and worked with academic enrichment centers – Project M.O.M. and Alternative Center. He is currently PAACE Treasurer, President of the Pennsylvania Association of Transportation Directors, and a board member of the Workforce Investment Board.

Central Regional Representative: Ruth Love-Schooley is the Coordinator of The Learning Center’s Family Literacy Program in Lycoming and Sullivan Counties. Ruth is active in the state as a Family Literacy Technical Assistant and serves her agency as a tutor trainer. Ruth graduated from Lycoming College with bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Women’s Studies. She has served the PAACE organization as Family Literacy Division Co-Chair for over three years.

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Darrell Boyd
Elaine Buckley
Carolyn Gravely-Moss
Jae Hively
Karen Milheim
Linda Rigler
Susan Staub
Nathaniel Williams
Ellen Yoder

Life members

Bokhyae Koh
Frank Palo
Kathy Pavel
Tim Shenk

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40th Annual PAACE Midwinter Conference on Adult Education

The Changing Face of Adult Education

Hershey Convention Center
February 9-11, 2005

Register online at paacesite.org

Click here to follow conference news.

The American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE), “the nation's premiere adult education organization dedicated to being the leading source in the field of adult learning,” will hold its 2005 national convention in Pittsburgh, PA, Sunday, November 6, 2005, through Saturday, November 12, 2005. AAACE is looking for people to take leadership in planning and running this conference, as well as for volunteers to handle a vast variety of tasks both in preparation for and during the convention.

Is this the leadership opportunity for which you have been looking? Can you suggest others throughout the Commonwealth who would welcome such an opportunity? You will be able both to get involved with colleagues around the country and to demonstrate the wealth of talent that resides in Pennsylvania and among the PAACE membership.

If you are interested and/or if you can provide names, ideas, suggestions, etc., please contact:

Amy D. Rose
Professor, Department of Counseling, Adult and Higher Education
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115
Phone: (815) 753-9373
E-mail: arose@niu.edu

For those who like to print out PAACE News, you now have the option of printing directly from your browser or downloading a PDF file of each issue.

Download the current issue of PAACE News as PDF file here.

Whatever your interest in adult education may be, the LINCS conference calendar has something for you--actually, LOTS of things for you. Check out this thorough list of conferences and events related to adult education, technology, and affiliated topics at: www.nifl.gov/cgi-bin/Calendar/calendar_world.cgi

If you are a PAACE member and are not subscribed to the members e-mail list, you may use the simple sign-up process by going to www.paacesite.org, clicking on the link on the main page for the PAACE lists, and following the link for the members@paacesite.org list. Subscribers also may follow the link to change subscription information. Currently, Technology Committee chair Scot Mentzer is moderating the list but is still looking for assistance. List moderation is aimed at eliminating spam e-mail. Only subscribers may post to the list.

PAACE members are encouraged to be on the e-mail list in order to receive announcements and late-breaking legislative news.

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PAACE has an e-mail address. Write to paace@paacesite.org for general inquiries and information. Joan Leopold, PAACE executive director, will answer your questions or direct your e-mail to the appropriate person.

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