2009 Adult Education Conference Focuses on Literacy and Employability of Adult Learners 4th Annual Event Draws Hundreds of Educators, Reaching Out ? Changing Lives

Contact: Mario L. Morrow 517-373-9280

Agency: Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

April 27, 2009 - The 2009 Michigan Adult Education and Training Conference kicked off today at the Ann Arbor Marriott Eagle Crest Conference Resort in Ypsilanti. Participants will learn and share best practices to help ensure that adult learners improve literacy, succeed in postsecondary education, and obtain employment.

"Lifelong learning is directly tied to economic prosperity," said Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth Director Stanley "Skip" Pruss. "We must ensure that adult learners experience greater success in the new economy through improved skills and that no worker will be left behind."

"Reaching Out - Changing Lives" is the theme of the conference which reflects the unique role and purpose of adult education in Michigan. More than 500 adult education administrators, teachers, counselors, literacy council volunteers, and workforce developers will attend the conference and training sessions, which concludes on Thursday. The annual event is presented by the Office of Adult Learning in the Division of Lifelong Learning, Bureau of Workforce Transformation, located in the Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth.

The conference features outstanding speakers from the Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth, including Andy Levin, deputy director; Liza Estlund Olson, director of the Bureau of Workforce Transformation; and Janet Howard, deputy director of the Bureau of Workforce Transformation.

A highlight of the conference will be the presentation of distinguished service awards. These prestigious awards recognize the exemplary contribution of an administrator, teacher, support staff member, literacy council tutor, advocate, partnership, or the best practice of adult, community, or literacy education in the state of Michigan.

The recipients of the 2009 Distinguished Service Awards are: 

Administrator of the Year -- Christina Luckey-Nelson, Coordinator of Adult Education, Traverse Bay Area ISD, Northwest Michigan Works!

Teacher of the Year - Connie Samoluk, GED Teacher, Southgate Adult and Community Education, Southgate

Support Staff Member -- Scott Goodwin, Family Literacy Coordinator, Goodwill Industries, Kalamazoo

Support Staff Member - Kimberly Burch Darling, Program Coordinator, Dominican Literacy Center, Detroit

Best Practice - Education and Training Connection, Midland and Saginaw

Lifetime Achievement Award - Irene Sinclair, Teacher in Charge, Detroit Public Schools, Adult Education, Detroit

Advocate for Adult Education Award - John Almstadt, Director, Oakland County Michigan Works! Workforce Development Division, Waterford

"We congratulate these award winners for their outstanding achievements and for making an immeasurable difference in the lives of adult learners throughout Michigan," said Pruss.

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm proclaimed the week of April 27, 2009, as Adult Education Week in Michigan. This weeklong observance showcases the important work of all who are involved in adult education and its importance in preparing all of Michigan's workers for a highly competitive, ever-changing economy.

The Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG) is investing in Michigan's future by preparing for the new energy economy, helping to create the jobs of today and tomorrow, ensuring that our children and adults have the skills these jobs demand, making Michigan a better place to do business, and training and placing those who need jobs now.

Read more releases from the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth