Submit Your Proposal for the IAACE Conference!

Step Up to the Plate: Submit Your Proposal for the IAACE Conference! ⚾

The Indiana Association for Adult and Continuing Education (IAACE) is excited to announce our Call for Proposals for the IAACE 2025 Conference! This year’s theme, “Hit It Out of the Park with Adult Education,” is about bringing big-league ideas, strategies, and success stories to adult education.

Are you an MVP in adult education with game-changing insights to share? We’re scouting coaches, players, and strategists—educators, administrators, life coaches, and support staff—who are ready to step up to the plate and deliver a winning presentation!

Why Step Up to the Mic?

⚾ Knock Your Expertise Out of the Park – Share your knowledge and best practices with colleagues who are eager to learn from your experience.
⚾ Become a Heavy Hitter in Your Field – Get recognized as a leader in adult education and boost your professional profile.
⚾ Help Others Swing for the Fences – Your insights could be a game-changer for adult learners, educators, and programs across the state.

What We’re Looking For:

We need all-star presentations that cover key areas of adult education. Here’s your chance to step into the lineup:

🏟 Administrative/Leadership Skills/Program Management – Amber Finnegan, Rob Moore

The Administrative Leadership & Directors strand will feature sessions designed to equip leaders, administrators, and directors with the skills needed to manage teams effectively, drive success, and navigate the challenges of leadership.

🏟 ABE Curriculum – David Shepherd, Katie Walton, Maeve Warrick

The Adult Basic Education (ABE) curriculum strand will feature engaging and informative sessions designed to support educators, administrators, and program coordinators in delivering high-quality instruction and curriculum to adult learners.  This could include TABE 13/14, Boot Camps, GED, and HISET.

🏟 Corrections/Vocational – Shawn Hughes, Mike Thombleson

The Corrections/Vocational strand will concentrate on education and vocational training within correctional settings.  These sessions could cover effective strategies for delivering educational programs for incarcerated students, resources for classrooms, and vocational training and career readiness programs.

🏟 ELL (English Language Learning)/Civics – Denise Esslinger, JuliAnn Nisevich

The ELL/Civics strand will focus on English Language Acquisition and the integration of what is civics education for English language learners. Sessions will explore effective teaching strategies, curriculum development, and resources that can include digital literacy instruction and techniques to reach the low-NRS-level learners to the advanced-NRS-level learners.

🏟 Technology/Digital Literacy/Outreach– Sheila Butler, George Jurado, Katie Walton

This conference strand will highlight innovative strategies and best practices for integrating digital literacy and technology into adult education programs while expanding outreach efforts to engage and support learners.

🏟 Workforce & Integrated Education & Training (WEI/IET) – Konnie McCollum, Roy Melton, Caroline Foster

 The Integrated Education and Training & Workforce Development strand will highlight innovative approaches to education with workforce training. Sessions will focus on strategies to bridge the gap between education and employment, preparing individuals with the skills and credentials needed to succeed in the workforce, and sharing best practices for working with employers and certification training.

🏟 Personal Development – Konnie McCollum, Caroline Foster

The Personal Development strand will empower individuals with the skills and mindset needed for continuous professional growth. Sessions could cover career advancement, leadership development, time management, and work-life balance.

🏟 Data Management and Testing Center Administration – Angie Reffo, Deb Sherwood

This strand will concentrate on best practices for managing data entry processes, InTERS, and overseeing efficient testing center operations using TABE, TABE CLAS-E, HiSET and/or GED. Sessions could cover data, compliance, security protocols, accommodations, and strategies for optimizing the best testing environments for examinees.

🏟 Department of Workforce Development (DWD): The DWD strand will feature sessions led by DWD staff, providing valuable insights into workforce initiatives, employment trends, and program updates.

How to Get in the Game

📢 Need a game plan? Contact any strand lead or IAACE staff member for guidance on shaping your proposal.
📢 Step up to the plate! Submit your proposal online at [iaace.com/callforproposals2025/].
📢 Deadline to submit: June 6th! Don’t let this opportunity slide by!

Join the Lineup & Spread the Word!

🔗 Share this call with colleagues who would make great presenters.
📣 Follow IAACE on social media for the latest conference updates.
🏆 Use the hashtag #IAACE to join the conversation and get pumped for the big event!

This is your chance to step onto the field, hit a home run, and make a lasting impact in adult education. Batter up—it’s your time to shine! ⚾🔥

Jenn Wigginton

Jenn is the IAACE Executive Director. Her passion for adult education shines through in everything she does for IAACE. You can invite her to a chat for questions anytime. Click here to book a time to chat with Jenn