About the Board
The Literacy Coalition of Colorado (LCC), a resource for non-profit adult education providers across Colorado, is looking for additional board members. LCC aims to increase the availability of adult education in Colorado, be it high school equivalency (GED or HiSET), English as a Second Language, or early adult literacy for the 100,000-plus USA-born Colorado adults who read below a 4th-grade level.
Currently, the LCC map of class locations is where adult learners find classes and volunteers find tutoring opportunities. For over twenty years, LCC workshops have provided high-quality, low-cost professional development for volunteer tutors and adult education teachers.
Serving on our working board is a good fit for self-starters who can: tell our story to business and community partners (writers and marketing professionals); increase our visibility via technology (website and social media know-how); broaden our leadership for sustaining the organization (business operations and management expertise); and maintain our fiscal integrity (CPA/accountant). Board members contribute 10 – 15 hours a month.
Board Members
Karin Bates
Karin has worked with the ESOL population since 1990. She is currently active with immigrant and refugee adult students. Working with adult learners with limited or interrupted formal education is one of her most rewarding experiences. Karin works as a TESOL Specialist for Intercambio Uniting Communities.
Shawn Colleary
Shawn comes to LCC after serving 42 years working in both public and private K-12 school settings. He held several roles focusing on the growth and development of adult learners. Shawn has a passion for literacy as a cornerstone for a well functioning democratic society. Currently, Shawn works as an Educational Consultant concentrating on Leadership Mentoring and Teacher Evaluation/Efficacy.
Kristen Dabney
Kristen brings experience in digital accessibility and libraries. They are passionate about the LCC’s mission, and see supporting literacy as a way of caring for their community. They currently work as a digital accessibility specialist.
Chelsea Henkel
Chelsea brings experience in literacy, nonprofit leadership, and program evaluation to the LCC Board. With a passion for education and community development, she has been involved in adult literacy efforts since 2007. In various roles, Chelsea gained insights into the challenges facing adult learners and programs and has seen the importance of literacy in empowering individuals to thrive in their communities. She is glad to support organizations advancing adult education in her home state of Colorado.
Kate Liosis
Kate is passionate about giving back to the community. She knows firsthand how important education is as neither of her parents graduated from high school. Her professional experience spans several roles within technology. Kate works for FirstBank, a community-oriented business with a focus on volunteerism and non-profit support. She currently serves as Secretary for the LCC board.
Marion Martin
Marion has focused her career on English learner education, serving as an ESL teacher, adjunct professor, and ELD consultant. Her work with multilingual students of all ages has reinforced her belief that strong literacy skills are the foundation of both academic achievement and lifelong opportunity.
Tyler Sytsma
Tyler has a background in finance and relationship management. In his professional life, he has seen how literacy-related issued have serious and direct impact on an individual’s employability. He appreciates the ways that the LCC improves quality of and access to adult education in our state. Tyler is currently an officer at MidFirst Bank.
Betsy Winchester
Betsy would like to see adult education providers in Colorado be more connected with each other and with related organizations such as refugee resettlement groups. She brings to the board a depth of knowledge about citizenship preparation, having taught in that area for several years, as well as in ESL and ESL Literacy. Betsy has her Master’s Degree in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education.
Interested in Board Membership?
If you are curious about joining the board, please apply to join us and we will get back to you soon! If you have any questions after applying please email lcc@literacycolorado.org. We can answer questions about Board Membership as well.
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