Connect with Adult Ed: the NMAEA Podcast

Episode 41 - Finding Your Voice: Inside the Adult Education Student Ambassador Training

In this episode, Jamie talks with student ambassadors Karem Lamas Leon and Lydia Portillo. Together, they explore the transformative impact of New Mexico's adult education student ambassador training and program. Karem and Lydia share their journey of stepping into advocacy in their fifties and detail how the intensive three-day training builds deep personal confidence, refines storytelling skills, and turns a cohort of students into a supportive family. From presenting personal narratives in small groups to traveling to Washington, D.C. for "Flood the Hill" to advocate for federal funding with legislative staffers, the conversation highlights how every individual voice acts as a vital rock in the strong wall of adult education advocacy. The episode wraps up with information about and an invitation to join the upcoming February 2027 training in Albuquerque. If you have a student who might be interested in becoming an ambassador, please share this episode with them!

Episode 40 - Flooding Capitol Hill: The Unstoppable Voice of the Adult Learner

In this special on-the-road episode, Jamie sits down with seven adult learner leaders and a higher education partner late on a Thursday night in Washington, D.C.. Gathering during “Flood the Hill Days” and National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, the group reflects on their impactful meetings with federal legislative staffers. The advocates share emotional highlights and "aha moments" from their journey, detailing their efforts to secure a federal funding increase to $810 million and gain co-sponsors for the Adult Education Works Act. From adult learner Arthur Sandoval’s inspiring panel speech to the pride of realizing New Mexico is now a nationally recognized leader in adult education, this episode captures the transformative power of personal storytelling and the collective resilience of a deeply connected advocacy family.

Episode Re-Release - Professional Learning Book Club Roundtable

The Propel team experimented with a different professional learning modality, the professional learning book club. Learn how we adapted to the format, what challenged us, and what we gained from the experience. Use our Professional Learning Book Club start template to kick off a PL book club in your organization.

Resource Links

Professional Learning Book Club Start Template