Workshop Presenters

LAC Staff

Cynthia Bell
Cynthia Bell is the Numeracy and Workforce Specialist at the Literacy Assistance Center, where she facilitates workshops for adult basic education (ABE) and high school equivalency (HSE) instructors on standards-based numeracy instruction, as well as on integrating academic and workforce skills. When she’s not leading trainings, Cynthia is providing customized coaching to instructors on curriculum design and the best practices of teaching and learning mathematics. 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 Instructional Technology and Communications and the New York City Support and Technical Assistance Center (STAC) Manager for NYSED at the Literacy Assistance Center. She is also an Ed Tech Adviser for the Ed Tech Center at World Ed and a Google Applied Digital Skills trainer for COABE. Her experience as an ESOL teacher, program director, and national trainer have given her a deep understanding of the challenges around technology in instruction and have helped shape her particular focus on integrating technology into the adult education classroom via mobile devices and Chromebooks.

Lizelena Iglesias
Lizelena Iglesias is 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 Professional Development Associate at the Literacy Assistance Center. In addition to leading ESOL workshops 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. Will received his MA in TESOL from the SIT Graduate Institute in 2011, and has worked in teacher education since 2015. He started teaching ESOL at community organizations in 2008.

Elke Stappert
Elke Stappert is an ESOL Professional Development Associate at the Literacy Assistance Center, where she facilitates workshops and mentors TESLA participants. Elke has been involved with ESOL and ABE for over 10 years as a program hub manager and teacher. She has an M.A. from NYU in Liberal Studies and CELTA Certificates for  both Teaching English and German. Elke has presented workshops at numerous conferences locally, nationally and internationally. She is co-chair of TESOL.org's Video Professional Learning Network and of NYS TESOL's Adult Education SIG. What else? She loves cats and music.

Judy Trupin
Judy Trupin is the ESOL Specialist and TESLA Certificate Program Director at the Literacy Assistance Center, where she leads curriculum development projects, conducts workshops on research-based strategies for teaching ESOL, and directs and co-facilitates the LAC’s TESLA course. Judy has been an ESOL adult educator for more than 25 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 co-author of chapters in two publications: New Ways in Teaching Adults and New Ways in Teaching Content-Based Instruction.

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.

Guest Facilitators
​Juan C. Castellanos is the Associate Program Director, New York Region at Facing History and Ourselves, Inc. His responsibilities have included co-facilitating professional development, presentations, consulting with teachers on curriculum design, supporting district school work, and collaborating with partner institutions, such as universities and museums. 
Gabriela Hernandez is a Program Associate at the NYC Facing History and Ourselves office. She works with schools in Manhattan, the Bronx, and northern New Jersey to support educators implement Facing History curriculum and teaching strategies. She also provides educators with learning opportunities like facilitated workshops and seminars. 
Katherine Leo is a program associate at Facing History and Ourselves, primarily working with schools in the five boroughs of NYC. In her current position, Katie supports educators as they create supportive academic environments where students learn to make ethical decisions with courage and conviction. Prior to joining the staff of Facing History, Katie served as a high school teacher for 11 years, where she taught classes on nonviolence, current events and the Civil Rights Movement.