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They didn’t just teach. They believed. ❤️

During 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸, this is what impact looks like.

Luis Carlos Nunes went from ESL learner… to teacher… to now being recognized with the COABE Adult Education Social Media Influencer Award.

But he didn’t get there alone.

He had educators who showed up for him.
Who encouraged him.
Who never gave up on him.

In his words:
“Adult education gave me more than skills—it gave me people who believed in me.”

Those people:

✨ Brian Long – International Language Institute
✨ Colleen Pelczar – Notre Dame Education Center
✨ Alisa Povenmire – Notre Dame Education Center
✨ Erin Paszko – Community Action Adult Education

This is what great educators do.

They change lives far beyond the classroom.

💬 Tag a teacher who made a difference in your life
❤️ Or drop a heart to celebrate educators everywhere

#TeacherAppreciationWeek #AdultEdMatters #StudentSuccess @morenonunes @ndec_boston

When a leader pauses to recognize an educator… you know the impact is real. ❤️

During 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸, we’re celebrating Markell Kyles and the difference he’s making at @The Pivot Path.

As shared by Ashley Johnson, former learner now founder of The Pivot Path helping others:
“𝑀𝑟. 𝐾𝑦𝑙𝑒𝑠 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑎 𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔… 𝐻𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑠 ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑝𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑠𝑒, 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠.”

That kind of impact goes beyond teaching.

It’s felt in the classroom.
Seen in the students.
And recognized by the leaders building these programs.

That’s what great educators do.

💬 Tag a teacher who is making a difference
❤️ Drop a heart to celebrate educators like Mr. Kyles
#TeacherAppreciationWeek #AdultEdMatters #AdultEducation

This is what it looks like when education changes lives.

Today, on National Teacher Appreciation Day, COABE honors Bonnie Shaw of @Des Moines Area Community College as our Outstanding Teacher of the Year.

Bonnie’s impact goes far beyond the classroom.

She ensures her students’ basic needs are met—organizing winter clothing and food drives so they can keep showing up.
She elevates their voices—bringing their cultures and lived experiences into her instruction.
She expands opportunity—helping launch a CNA IET program that creates direct pathways to careers.

This is the reality of adult education.
It’s not just teaching content—it’s removing barriers, building confidence, and creating real economic mobility.

Bonnie represents the very best of this work—and the thousands of adult educators across the country doing this every single day.

Today, we celebrate her—and every adult education teacher changing what’s possible.

👉 Join us in recognizing Bonnie and the educators who are transforming lives every day.

#FundFutures #FundAdultEd

You’re one person away from not giving up.

For @qiana72774 , that person was her teacher.

After failing her GED math test twice, she was at a breaking point.

But Champale Butler stepped in—stayed with her, worked one-on-one, created study packets, and made sure she was ready.

Third try… she passed. GED earned. Life changed.

That’s what adult education is.

Teachers who don’t give up.

Learners who keep going.

To every learner—keep showing up.

To every teacher—thank you for being the reason they do.

👇 Tag your teacher. Tag your student. Say thank you.

#FundFutures #FundAdultEd @oicofokc

coabehq Big things are happening—and they include
YOU. 🔥

During National Apprenticeship Week, adult education
programs across the country showed how learners are
building real skills and stepping into real careers.

That means:
✔ Earning your diploma
✔ Learning skills that employers need
✔ Getting into apprenticeships
✔ Moving toward a better-paying future

This is how people change their lives.

COABE brought learners, educators, and leaders
together to highlight these pathways and show what’s
possible when opportunity meets effort.

📸 See the energy, the people, and the impact.

Now we want to hear from you:

What did YOU do this week to move closer to your
goals?

No step is too small.

Your future is still being built. Keep going.

#AdultEducation #Apprenticeships #CareerGoals
#KeepGoing #Motivation #SecondChance
#FutureReady #FundFutures

They said he couldn’t sit still.
Now he’s a certified electrician speaking in
Washington, DC.

Read that again.

Kendric Marshall dropped out by ninth grade and
could have believed that was the end of his story.

It wasn’t.

Adult education at @oicofokc gave him a second
chance. He earned his diploma, built new skills, found
a path in the trades, and created a future he’s proud
of.

Now he’s using his voice to inspire others and show
what is possible. This past fall at COABE's Flood the
Hill advocacy event, he encouraged others to speak up
and share how adult education changes lives. He did
to a room full of legislatures 👀

So if you feel behind…
If school did not go how you hoped…
If life got in the way…

Your story is not over.

Your comeback can start now.

Save this for motivation and send it to someone who
needs it today.

#AdultEducation #SecondChance #StudentSuccess
#CareerGoals #Motivation #KeepGoing
#Apprenticeship #FundFutures U.S. Department of Labor

Your future could change faster than you think. 🚀

Meet Luis Duran.

Luis started an adult education autobody apprenticeship with skills, determination, and the mindset to keep learning. That mindset changed everything.

He gained real hands-on experience working on paving equipment, police cars, and fire trucks. The kind of experience that builds confidence, opens doors, and leads to careers.

After 50 years in the industry, a leader described Luis as someone who never stopped learning and always asked questions.

That is how success grows.

You do not need to have everything figured out today.
You just need to start.

Adult education and apprenticeships can help you build skills, earn while you learn, and create the future you want.

Save this as a reminder. Share it with someone who needs motivation today.

#NationalApprenticeshipWeek #AdultEducation #Apprenticeship #CareerGoals #EarnAndLearn #FutureReady #opportunitystartshere
@irvingisd @cityofeuless

Your next step could change your whole family’s future. ✨

Meet Tania.

She wanted a better life and found her path through adult education. She studied cosmetology, discovered her passion, and became employed.

Then she did something bigger.

She competed in @SkillsUSA, won a Gold Medal, and advanced to the national championships. 🏅

Her success inspired her son Eduardo.

He joined robotics, competed in SkillsUSA, and won a Gold Medal too. 🏅

That is how opportunity grows.
One step becomes two.
One dream becomes a legacy.

Your goals matter.
Your growth matters.
Someone may be watching you become the example they need.

Start now. Keep going.

Save this for motivation. Share with someone building their future.

#NationalApprenticeshipWeek #AdultEducation #SkillsUSA #CareerGoals #FutureReady #OpportunityStartsHere @lausdadulted @usdol

𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗰𝗸.

Meet Khalid McDaniel.

Khalid wanted more than a job that left him unfulfilled. He wanted purpose, growth, and a future he could be proud of.

He chose a new path in energy and utilities. But first, he had to pass the CAST entrance exam and strengthen his math skills.

So he did what successful people do.
He looked for help.
He stayed consistent.
He kept going.

With support from free test prep classes through Beyond Literacy, Khalid passed the exam with excellence, secured a full-time job, and is now pursuing the PECO apprenticeship program.

“I was so happy and proud for not giving up.”

Read that again.

You do not need to know every step today.
You do not need to be perfect today.
You just need to start.

One class. One skill. One opportunity can change everything.

#NationalApprenticeshipWeek #AdultEducation #Apprenticeship #CareerGrowth #Opportunity #FutureReady #KeepGoing @beyondliteracyphilly @usdol

National Apprenticeship Week starts NOW 🚀

Looking for a better job, higher pay, or a new career path? This week is for YOU.

Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn, gain real skills, and open doors to careers in fields like healthcare, construction, manufacturing, technology, and more. Adult education programs can help you build the reading, math, English, digital, and workplace skills to get started and succeed.

Your next opportunity could start with one step today.

COABE has resources, events, and tools waiting for you all week. Visit the COABE website and look under Apprenticeship Week to explore what’s available.

👉 Follow your goals
👉 Believe bigger for yourself
👉 Start where you are

Your future is still being written.

#NationalApprenticeshipWeek #Apprenticeship #AdultEducation #CareerGoals #EarnAndLearn #WorkforceDevelopment #FutureReady #OpportunityStartsHere

🚨 Opportunity is growing. Are you ready?

More employer and adult education partnerships are forming across the country, creating new pathways for learners to build skills, gain confidence, and move into better jobs with real future potential.

That means opportunities like:
✨ English classes connected to work
✨ Digital skills training
✨ Financial literacy
✨ Career advancement pathways
✨ Support from employers who want to invest in you

The future workforce is not somewhere else. It is YOU.

Be on the lookout for programs like these in your area and do not be afraid to step forward when opportunity knocks. One class, one skill, one connection can change everything.

🎧 Want inspiration? Hear how one partnership is changing lives. Find the link in our bio Linktree under Podcasts.

#AdultEducation #CareerGrowth #WorkforceDevelopment #Upskilling #Reskilling #NewOpportunities #FutureOfWork #LearnerSuccess

🚨 Your future is being shaped right now.

Big decisions about adult education are happening across the country—and they can impact opportunities for learners like you.

The April edition of COABE’s Public Policy Pulse includes:
✨ New opportunities
✨ Funding updates
✨ Success stories
✨ Apprenticeship pathways
✨ What’s next for adult education

Why does this matter?
Because stronger support for adult education can mean:
✔ More classes
✔ More career pathways
✔ More resources
✔ More chances to reach your goals

Your journey matters.
Your dreams matter.
Your voice matters.

💬 What goal are you working toward right now? Tell us below.

#AdultEducation #CareerGoals #NewOpportunities #FutureReady #Growth #FundFutures #FundAdultEd

Your English can open doors. 🚪✨

12% of the U.S. workforce needs English language instruction—and you are not alone.

So many hardworking adults have the talent, experience, and potential to do more, earn more, and grow more. Sometimes the next step starts with stronger English.

With English skills, you can:
✨ Apply for better jobs
✨ Earn more money
✨ Feel more confident
✨ Communicate at work
✨ Help your family
✨ Reach new goals

Your journey does not have to be perfect. It just has to start.

💬 What door do you want English to open for you? Tell us below.

Tag someone who needs this reminder today.

#AdultEducation #LearnEnglish #ESL #CareerGoals #NewOpportunities #LevelUp #GrowthMindset #BetterJobs

Your next opportunity could start with one decision: invest in yourself.

Adult education can help you build the skills employers are looking for—without putting your life on hold.

Whether you want to:
✨ Get a better job
✨ Earn more money
✨ Improve your English
✨ Learn new technology
✨ Finish your diploma
✨ Start a new career

Adult education was built for real life—flexible options for adults balancing work, family, and everything else.

Your goals are possible. Your next chapter is waiting.

💬 What goal are you working toward right now? Drop it in the comments.

Tag someone who needs this reminder today.

#AdultEducation #CareerGoals #LevelUp #NewCareer #GED #ESL #Upskill #CareerGrowth

We’re still feeling it… and maybe you are too.
The energy.
The joy.
The hope.
The feeling that anything is possible when people come together with purpose.
That was #COABE2026.
Since the conference ended, your messages, thank yous, and reflections have kept coming and every one of them has meant so much. To know you felt inspired, seen, empowered, and recharged means everything to us.
Because this was never just an event. It was proof. Proof that adult learners belong in every room. Proof that educators change lives every day. Proof that when this community comes together, the impact is impossible to ignore.
So carry this feeling with you. Into your next class. Your next goal. Your next challenge. Your next win. Let it remind you how powerful you are and how much is still possible.
And yes… we are already building #COABE2027 in New Orleans. Great things take time and this community is worth every moment of it.
Thank you for showing up.
Thank you for sharing your light.
Thank you for being part of something bigger than all of us.
The momentum is real.
The future is bright.
And we are just getting started.

Adult education is changing—and how we measure it needs to change too. 💙

Right now, the way programs are reported doesn’t always show the full impact or all the learners being served.

That means the real value of adult education isn’t always fully seen.

Here’s what needs to improve:

✔️ Updating how progress is measured
✔️ Recognizing more ways learners succeed
✔️ Making sure all graduates count
✔️ Supporting programs that connect to real jobs

🚨 And at a time when funding is at risk, it’s more important than ever that people understand how powerful adult education really is.

Your journey matters. Your progress matters.

When more people see that impact, it helps protect opportunities for you and others.

💙 Keep sharing your story. Keep showing what’s possible.

#FundFutures #FundAdultEd

#COABE2026 may be over—but your voice still matters. 💙

The energy doesn’t stop here.

🚨 Right now, adult education funding is at risk—and sharing your story can make a difference.

We’ve made it easy to take part:

📲 Check out our Advocacy April calendar in our Advocacy highlights
👉 Quick, simple actions
👉 Easy ways to speak up
👉 Just a few minutes

You don’t have to do everything—just do something.

Share a post.
Repost.
Tell your story.

When more people see how adult education changes lives, it helps protect these opportunities for you and others.

We’re in this together. 💙

#FundFutures #FundAdultEd #AdvocacyApril

🎉 Her name popped up. Her future opened up.

At the 𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵, Ursula won a @chromebook during the Wheel of Names spin, generously donated by connect.able 💻

This was more than luck. It was perfect timing.

Ursula shared that she desperately needed a device. She had been using a borrowed school Chromebook, and now that she only has one GED test to go and will be starting college, she has to give it back.

Now she’s stepping into college with the technology she needs to succeed.

Thank you to Megan Linzy-Johnson for attending the 𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵 and presenting this powerful gift.

Moments like this change lives. ❤️

#COABE2026 #StudentSuccess #AdultEducation #CollegeBound #ChangingLives

🏁 Not a bad way to spend the evening at #COABE2026.

Attendees took in the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum for a night of history, fun, and unforgettable memories. We toured the famous track, kissed the bricks, and finished the night the Indy way… with a drink of milk. 🥛

A huge highlight was meeting @conordaly22 Daly, Indiana native and IndyCar fan favorite. What a moment.

And even better, students who stayed in town after the summit got to be part of this special experience too. 💙

This is what COABE is all about—learning, connection, celebration, and moments you never forget.

#COABE2026 #AdultEdWorks #Indianapolis #ConferenceLife #Networking #StudentLeadership

@nascar @indycar

🎥 Ending the day strong 💪

Lucien Blackwell from @neighborworks
brought the energy, the knowledge, and the motivation as he shared with learners how to set yourself up for financial success.

Even at the end of a long day, he kept the room engaged, answered questions, covered real-life money topics, and helped learners set goals for a stronger future.

Because financial success isn’t just about money—it’s about confidence, choices, and opportunity. 💙

Thank you to our partner Neighborhood Works for helping empower learners with tools that matter.

#COABE2026 #FundFutures #FundAdultEd

🎤 Social Media Influencer Award 💙

Congratulations to Luiz Carlos Nunes @morenonunes.

Luiz shows us that advocacy can happen anywhere.

He couldn’t make it to #COABE2026 in Indy—but he still joined in through our Social Wall and stayed part of the movement. We were also proud to celebrate his recognition this morning at the Students as Leaders Summit.

He uses LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to share his story and speak up for adult education.

He was one of the first learners to send a video to legislators. He meets with representatives. He joins events. He keeps showing up.

Most importantly, he reminds everyone that adult education changed his life—and can change other lives too.

Real voice. Real impact. Real advocacy.

👏 Congratulations, Luiz!

#FundFutures #FundAdultEd #SocialMediaInfluencer #coabe226

🚨 The #COABE2026 Social Wall is LIVE through Thursday. Are you on it yet? 👀

We had a few early glitches, but things look good now 🙌

Even better... we’re already seeing posts from people who are not in Indy and we LOVE it. 🌎💥

You do not have to be at the conference to be part of the experience.

📸 3 Easy Ways to Join:

1️⃣ Post on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok using #COABE2026 or #FundAdultEd for a chance to be featured.

2️⃣ Use the Photo Booth onsite and add fun frames + backgrounds 🎉

3️⃣ Quick SnapUp
Upload photos or videos directly to the wall with no social media needed. Link in bio / story.

👏 You can also react to posts and cheer others on.

⏳ Posts are reviewed before appearing, so please be patient. Vendor and sponsor posts are not included this year.

📍In Indy? Capture the moment.
🌎 At home? Join the movement.
🔥 Let’s light up the wall with adult education pride.

#FundAdultEd #coabe2026

😭 Sometimes the most powerful advocacy tool in the room is a box of tissues.

At the Student as Leaders Summit, learner stories do more than move hearts. They open eyes, shift perspectives, and remind everyone why adult education matters.

When learners speak, people listen. When people listen, change happens. And when change happens, funding follows.

Never underestimate the power of a story told by the person who lived it. #COABE2026 #FundAdultEd #FundFutures

✨ VIP energy. Big smiles. Bright futures. ✨

Tonight’s VIP event hosted by EnGen brought together adult learners who continue to show what determination, talent, and possibility look like.

These photos capture more than a fun night out. They capture courage, connection, and the power of investing in your future. 💫

Adult learners belong in every room where opportunity is happening and tonight they owned it. 👏

Drop a 💙 in the comments to celebrate them.

#StudentsAsLeaders #COABE2026 #VIP

🎯 Think you can’t speak to lawmakers? You can.

At #COABE2026, we showed how everyday people can advocate for adult education and make their voices heard. This 3-minute video breaks it down in a real, simple, and even fun way.

💡 One fact says it all:
Just $16 is spent per adult learner compared to about $16,000 per student in K-12.

Yes... adult education funding is about the price of a Chick-fil-A combo meal. 🍟

This video shows:
✨ What happens in these meetings
✨ How to answer questions
✨ How to stay confident
✨ How to make your story matter

You do not need to be an expert.
You do not need a fancy title.
You just need your voice and your experience.

Your story can create change. 💥

#COABE2026 #FundAdultEd

🎉 Want to be part of the action at #COABE2026? Volunteer with us.

It’s not all work… honestly, it’s mostly fun. 😄 Meet amazing people, be part of the energy, help create a great experience, and make memories along the way.

From welcoming attendees to helping behind the scenes, every helping hand makes a difference.

⏰ It’s not too late to jump in.
🙌 Want to help? Just ask.

📸 And don’t forget to post your conference moments using #COABE2026 or #FundAdultEd for a chance to be featured on our Taggbox Social Wall.

See you in Indy. #COABE2026

Education changes everything, especially when it comes to jobs & your future. 💙

🚨 And right now, programs like adult education are at risk.

The FY27 budget proposal once again calls for eliminating funding—that’s why your voice matters.

The truth is:

📉 Without a high school credential, it’s harder to find a job
📉 With more education, job opportunities grow

And it doesn’t stop there.

💰 People with a diploma or equivalent earn more on average.

That’s real impact. That’s real opportunity.

Every step you take in your education leads to:
✔️ More job opportunities
✔️ Higher earnings
✔️ A stronger future

This is your journey—and it matters.

If you believe in adult education, share this and help others see the impact. 💙

#FundFutures #FundAdultEd

The skills gap is real—but so is your potential. 💙

🚨 And right now, programs that help build those skills are at risk.

The FY27 budget proposal once again calls for eliminating federal adult education funding. That’s why your voice matters.

Millions of adults are ready to work—but just need the right support:

➡️ Help finishing a diploma
➡️ Stronger English skills
➡️ Better reading or math skills
➡️ Training for today’s jobs

At the same time, employers are looking for workers with these exact skills.

That’s where adult education comes in.

👉 It helps you build confidence
👉 It prepares you for real jobs
👉 It opens doors to new opportunities

This is about your future.

And your voice can help protect these opportunities for you—and for others.

#FundFutures #FundAdultEd

Adult education changes lives—including yours. 💙

🚨 And right now, that opportunity is at risk.

The FY27 budget proposal once again calls for eliminating federal adult education funding. That’s why your voice matters more than ever.

When adults don’t have access to education, the impact is real:
📉 Fewer job opportunities
📉 More financial stress
📉 Fewer opportunities for families

But education changes everything.

It opens doors.
It builds confidence.
It creates a better future—not just for you, but for your family too.

And here’s something powerful:
👉 A parent’s education can shape a child’s success.

That’s how lives change. That’s how futures change.

This is your story. Your voice matters.

#FundFutures #FundAdultEd

Not sure what to post? That’s okay—we’ve got you. 💙

COABE created easy social media resources to help you speak up for adult education:

👉 Ideas of what to say
👉 Ready-to-use posts
👉 Simple tips to get started

You don’t have to be an expert. You just have to use your voice.

📲 You can find everything in our Advocacy April calendar under our Advocacy highlights.

Your story matters. Your voice matters.

And when we speak up together, people listen.

#FundFutures #FundAdultEd

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COABE’s mission is to lead, equip, and empower the field of adult education, inspiring transformative growth in every adult to achieve their full potential. We exist to provide leadership, communication, professional development, and advocacy for adult education and literacy practitioners to advance quality services for all adult learners. COABE represents the field of 82,000 adult educators and provides a variety of services, including professional development through annual, state-of-the-art national conferences, more than 40 webinars annually, and a peer reviewed journal. [ SUBSCRIBE HERE ]

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Join us in this crucial effort to Educate & Elevate America. Take the pledge today and help us reach our goal of 1 million signatures!

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