Sharon Bonney began her career with COABE as a part-time administrator in 2009, moving up in the organization as she showed an unparalleled commitment to the field of adult education. Sharon has helped advance the organization on a number of fronts, including managing efforts to move it from a 1,300 member group in 2009 to 40,000 active members in 2022. Read bio >

Jody Angelone has served in Adult Education for over 25 years and is currently the Staff Training & Development Coordinator for the Ohio Professional Development Network, at The Ohio State University. She has worked as a reading specialist, instructor, coordinator and program director in the context of Correctional Education, ABLE/GED, Workplace Education, Volunteer Literacy, Vocational Evaluation & Assessment and Professional Development. Read bio >

Regina is a product of Adult Education and has dedicated over 30 years to a career in education. Like many in the field, she started as a part-time teacher working and living on the Tohono O’odham Nation teaching High School English. It was then that she began teaching night time GED classes part time in a village meeting house. She moved on to teach full time in the Pima County Jail for 8 years while also teaching as adjunct faculty at the State Prison. Her work has always been grounded by “a teacher’s heart”.  Read bio >

Shaketta D. Thomas is currently the school assessment coordinator for the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC). Ms. Thomas completed her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Virginia State University, a master’s in adult education from Regent University, and is presently pursuing a Ph.D. in educational psychology, also at Regent University. Read bio >

An educator for over 20 years, Kristin Hempel has been a passionate adult education administrator and advocate in CT for the past 7 years. Previously, she was an elementary principal in NY and a teacher and high school administrator in RI. Read Bio >

Michael’s combined experience includes 7 years with CPS as a high school teacher and an additional 20 years as an adult education teacher and administrator. He taught 5 subjects in ABE/GED® instruction, all levels of ESL, and was an administrator at Adult Education Community Center.   Read bio >

Stephenie Rittberger, adult education coordinator for the Career Learning Center of the Black Hills, has been with adult education as a division of Black Hills Special Services Cooperative for twenty years. Her experience in adult education has been a varied and enriching experience. Mrs. Rittberger began by teaching in two rural sites.  Read bio >

Heidi Silver-Pacuilla joined the Virginia Department of Education as the Adult Education Coordinator within the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education in May 2017 and has been deeply involved in the cross-agency implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act in Virginia. She serves on steering committees for several cross-agency grants and task forces including the Accessibility Task Force, the Sector Strategy and Career Pathways Academy, and the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services’ Career Pathways grant.   Read bio >

Shaketta D. Thomas is currently the school assessment coordinator for the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC). Ms. Thomas completed her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Virginia State University, a master’s in adult education from Regent University, and is presently pursuing a Ph.D. in educational psychology, also at Regent University. Read bio >

John Werner is the executive director of Sequoias Adult Education Consortium, which serves ten school districts and one community college and has a total adult education student population of just under 10,000 students in the southern region of California’s Central Valley. John is also the California Adult Education Administrators Association (CAEAA) state president and the California Council for Adult Education (CCAE) Central Section past president.  Read bio >

Shaketta D. Thomas is currently the school assessment coordinator for the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC). Ms. Thomas completed her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Virginia State University, a master’s in adult education from Regent University, and is presently pursuing a Ph.D. in educational psychology, also at Regent University. Read bio >

Don has been an adult educator since 1992 and currently serves associate professor of education specializing in adult education, professional development, curriculum and instruction, and leadership at the Regent University School of Education (SOE).   Read bio >

Stephenie Rittberger, adult education coordinator for the Career Learning Center of the Black Hills, has been with adult education as a division of Black Hills Special Services Cooperative for twenty years. Her experience in adult education has been a varied and enriching experience. Mrs. Rittberger began by teaching in two rural sites.  Read bio >

Connie Rivera facilitates opportunities for adult learners and their teachers that enable them to learn in new environments, discover connections, and develop greater understanding of the subject matter.  Connie is proud to have served as president of the Adult Numeracy Network and as the Numeracy Strand Partner to COABE during her presidency.  Read bio >

Dr. Renae Harrison was selected as historian for the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE) in 2020. She began her journey with COABE in the early 2000’s when she received a scholarship from the organization. Her experience on the COABE board includes a term as a regional representative, a member of various committees, president-elect, president, and past president. She served on the board from 2006-2015. Read bio >

Michael’s combined experience includes 7 years with CPS as a high school teacher and an additional 20 years as an adult education teacher and administrator. He taught 5 subjects in ABE/GED® instruction, all levels of ESL, and was an administrator at Adult Education Community Center. Read bio >