President-Elect Candidates
Denise Orand
Denise Orand
I am writing to express my interest in the current opening for TALAE President. I have extensive experience as an Administrator, Agency Collaborator, Instructor, and Program Developer. I am experienced in developing curriculum, delivering trainings and presentations, mentoring programs and employees, entering and analyzing data, and piloting new projects. I have developed programs and trainings for a large number of employers, colleges, and workforce boards including the City of Houston, Harris County, Workforce Solutions Golden Crescent, Workforce Solutions Coastal Bend, the Tarrant County Workforce Board, the Texas Workforce Commission, Educational Service Centers 2 and 6, Texas A & M, Lone Star College, and many others. I am currently the Director of Adult Education Grants for San Jacinto College. I have worked as a state approved trainer and training developer for Texas A & M since 2013 and have developed and delivered training for employees for over 15 years. I hold a master’s degree in Curriculum Instruction and completed a two-year National Program Improvement certification program designed for Adult Education Administrators.
I am considered a state subject matter expert in language acquisition, distance learning, integrating technology, skilled immigrant integration, and contextualizing instruction and have served on several state level committees, workgroups, and/or boards. I currently serve as the Treasurer for the Texas Association for Literacy and Adult Education (TALAE) and am the Registration Chair for their annual state conference. I served on the state committee to revise the Adult Content Standards for the state over a period of 2 years and have developed trainings on strategic partnerships to enhance workforce skills, integrate technology, monitor data for program improvement, and contextualize instruction. Within school districts I have worked in Even Start, English Language Civics, Adult Education and Literacy, Title I and Title III programs extensively since 2001. I have experience writing and submitting successful grant proposals, developing grant funded programs, and monitoring and reporting on grant compliance while overseeing programs. In my current role I continue to collaborate with school districts, CBOs, employers, and other colleges within the areas of our North, South, and Central campuses to provide Adult Education services within the community districtwide. I have coordinated speakers and resources for our programs, arranged family and program activities, marketed and recruited for our programs, and conducted and coordinated testing and registration for all students. I have also developed curriculum and professional development for our faculty and staff members. Adult Education is my career and one that I am passionate about. I continue to participate in all aspects of the field and believe that a position as President in the TALAE Organization would allow me to utilize my current skills and experience to continue moving the organization forward.
I am considered a state subject matter expert in language acquisition, distance learning, integrating technology, skilled immigrant integration, and contextualizing instruction and have served on several state level committees, workgroups, and/or boards. I currently serve as the Treasurer for the Texas Association for Literacy and Adult Education (TALAE) and am the Registration Chair for their annual state conference. I served on the state committee to revise the Adult Content Standards for the state over a period of 2 years and have developed trainings on strategic partnerships to enhance workforce skills, integrate technology, monitor data for program improvement, and contextualize instruction. Within school districts I have worked in Even Start, English Language Civics, Adult Education and Literacy, Title I and Title III programs extensively since 2001. I have experience writing and submitting successful grant proposals, developing grant funded programs, and monitoring and reporting on grant compliance while overseeing programs. In my current role I continue to collaborate with school districts, CBOs, employers, and other colleges within the areas of our North, South, and Central campuses to provide Adult Education services within the community districtwide. I have coordinated speakers and resources for our programs, arranged family and program activities, marketed and recruited for our programs, and conducted and coordinated testing and registration for all students. I have also developed curriculum and professional development for our faculty and staff members. Adult Education is my career and one that I am passionate about. I continue to participate in all aspects of the field and believe that a position as President in the TALAE Organization would allow me to utilize my current skills and experience to continue moving the organization forward.
Delia Watley
There are several reasons why I feel I am qualified to lead as President Elect for TALAE. I first have experience serving on the Executive Board of TALAE for nearly 3 years. I have been able to share in responsibilities needed to effectively organize programs on a state level. As well as serving on the TALAE Executive Board, I also serve as the Manager of adult literacy programs for the Irving Independent School District. I have been a leader on throughout different spectrums of our school district serving on committees that allowed me to work with many partners. Collaboration and partnership development are my strengths because I understand that without working with partners, nothing extraordinary can happen. I value partnerships and have the skills and fortitude to work with all types of personalities in all types of situations. This is probably one of the most important requirements of the President Elect. As well as receiving awards for innovation and creativity over the years with the Independent School District, I have been able to pull organizations and businesses together to accomplish tasks in a timely and effective manner. I was just recently selected to serve as the facilitator of our Dallas county wide work group of educators and professionals formed to streamline services and provide as an informational resource across Dallas county. I am meant to serve and would be honored to continue to serve on the TALAE Executive Board for many years to come.