Workshop Presenters

Cynthia Bell
Cynthia Bell is the Director of Workforce Development & Numeracy Services at the Literacy Assistance Center, where she oversees workforce projects and initiatives, develops and facilitates workshops for adult basic education (ABE) and high school equivalency (HSE) instructors on standards-based numeracy instruction, as well as on blending academic and workforce skills. When she is not leading and developing trainings, Cynthia is providing customized coaching to instructors on integrated curriculum design, blending workforce and academic instruction, and the best practices of teaching and learning mathematics. In 2016, she co-authored the teacher resource book Teaching Adults: A HiSET Exam Resource Book. Cynthia has presented at international, national, state, and regional conferences, and is an active board member of the Adult Numeracy Network (ANN), an affiliate delegate of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), and a national LINCS numeracy trainer.

Nell Eckersley
Nell Eckersley is the Director of the New York City Support and Technical Assistance Center (STAC) for state funded adult education programs and the Instructional Technology Specialist at the Literacy Assistance Center. She is also an Ed Tech Adviser for the Ed Tech Center at World Ed and has worked nationally as the Technology and Learning moderator and trainer for LINCS and as a Google Applied Digital Skills trainer for COABE.  Her particular areas of interest are strengthening digital literacy skills for adult education practitioners and students, integrating technology into the adult education classroom via mobile devices, and digital inclusion for all.

Lizelena Iglesias
Lizelena Iglesias is the Director of Adult Literacy Professional Development Services and the ABE and HSE Specialist at the Literacy Assistance Center. She joined the LAC in 2015 with over eight years of experience designing and teaching HSE courses, and leading professional development for HSE teachers in a community-based organization. Currently, Lizelena provides training and sustained coaching for adult and youth educators in best practices in literacy and science instruction, and in the integration of science, social studies and literacy instruction with occupational content and skills. Additionally, Lizelena developed the science module of the LAC Academy High School Equivalency course; has developed science curricula for the Queens Public Library TASC Transition Curriculum project; and has conducted numerous trainings on the Spanish HSE and the Spanish TABE tests. Lizelena is a member of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and the International Literacy Association.

Be Jensen
Be Jensen is the Coordinator of Professional Development Services and the Assessment Specialist at the Literacy Assistance Center. Be joined the staff of the LAC in 2007 with 13 years of experience as an ESOL instructor and 10 years of experience as a program director of a community-based adult education program. Be provides training and coaching on standardized test administration and has been responsible for the design and implementation of LAC professional development on a wide range of leadership, instructional, and programmatic topics. Be is a Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL)-certified BEST Plus Trainer, a NYSED-trained trainer on the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE), and an NYU-Certified Executive and Organizational Coach.

William Linn
William Linn is the ESOL Specialist and Coordinator of ESOL Certificate Programs at the Literacy Assistance Center. In addition to leading ESOL professional development and curriculum design projects, he is one of the two facilitators of the LAC’s Teaching English as a Second Language to Adults (TESLA) course and the Foundations of Adult Education course. William received his MA in TESOL from the SIT Graduate Institute in 2011, where he also taught English Applied Linguistics. He started teaching ESOL at community organizations in 2008 and has worked in teacher education since 2015.

Raju Srinivasan
Raju Srinivasan is the Adult Education Professional Development Associate at the Literacy Assistance Center. Raj began working as a student mentor at the New York Public Library in 2011 and joined the staff of the LAC in 2016 as an ASISTS program associate, where he spent over three years facilitating data management trainings and technical support. In his current role, Raj provides professional development and coaching to teachers centered on the integration of workforce readiness and academic skills. He received his MA in TESOL from CUNY Hunter College. ​ 

Sierra Stoneman-Bell
Sierra Stoneman-Bell is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Literacy Assistance Center, where she leads the Literacy & Justice Initiative to advance adult literacy education as part of a broader vision for racial, social, and economic justice. Sierra joined the LAC in 2016 to lead the Investing in Quality project, bringing her experience in education, youth development, workforce connections, and community organizing and advocacy. Before this, Sierra directed the adult education and workforce programs at Make the Road New York as part of a larger strategy to build the power of working class and immigrant communities. She has also led advocacy campaigns for public investment in adult education and youth services and worked to directly support first generation college students and out-of-school youth. She is excited to collaborate with educators and organizers to center social justice themes in the classroom. 

Kate Tornese
Kate Tornese is the Associate Director of ASISTS and Data Services at the Literacy Assistance Center.  ASISTS (Adult Student Information System & Technological Support) is the data system required for agencies granted Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Adult Literacy Education (ALE), and Employment Preparation & Education (EPE) contracts by NYSED.  Kate conducts all ASISTS Trainings in the NYC Region as well as the other 6 NYSED Regions of New York State in partnership with the Regional Adult Education Network (RAEN). 

Judy Trupin
Judy Trupin, Senior ESOL Fellow, was previously the director of ESOL certificate programs at the Literacy Assistance Center. She continues to work with the LAC, sharing her expertise on curriculum development and research-based strategies for teaching ESOL. Judy has been an ESOL adult educator for nearly 30  years, and has worked as a teacher, curriculum developer, trainer, and administrator. She has taught all levels of ESOL from basic literacy through advanced.  Judy is a nationally certified trainer for the BEST Plus assessment, holds New York State K-12 ESOL certification and an M.S. in Teaching ESOL, and is a certified yoga instructor.

Ira Yankwitt
Ira Yankwitt is the Executive Director of the Literacy Assistance Center. Ira began his career in adult literacy education in 1993. He has taught high school equivalency, managed a community-based adult literacy program, and spent many years training teachers and program administrators. Ira served as the Director of the New York City Regional Adult Education Network from 2004 through 2007. From 2007-2012, Ira oversaw curriculum, instruction, and professional development for the NYC Department of Education’s Office of Adult and Continuing Education. He has served in his current position since December 2012.