Alabama Association For Public Continuing And Adult Education

Congratulations to Mrs. Paula Thompson!

The ALAPCAE Board congratulates Mrs. Paula Thompson, an ACCS Adult Education Specialist, on her retirement! Her dedication, service, and talent have revolutionized and transformed adult education services in the State of Alabama. From guiding the High School Option Diploma (HSDO) program to strengthening family enrichment, Mrs. Thompson has served as a beacon of comfort, hope, and knowledge. The adult education administrators, faculty, and staff in Alabama are forever indebted to Mrs. Thompson’s guidance and support. On behalf of the aforesaid educators, the ALAPCAE Board applauds Mrs. Thompson for a remarkable career and wishes her well!

The ALAPCAE Board congratulating Mrs. Paula Thompson (center) on her retirement!

The Flame of Knowledge of Adult Education

ALAPCAE enables educators to realize their self-efficacy in transforming adult education in Alabama and beyond. Our commitment to revolutionizing and empowering adult learners is unparalleled, as we champion such educational maxims as maintaining and disseminating the epistemological dimensions of our collective understanding. Each year, we pen professional advocacy and achieve success at our annual summer conference by reaffirming our steadfastness to adult learners in Alabama and further afield. By joining our non-profit organization, you will receive networking opportunities, professional development, and andragogical resources.

Commit Oneself

“60 Years of Learning: A Diamond Celebration”

highlights from the 2025 ALAPCAE SUMMER CONFERENCE

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The Transformation of Adult Education in Alabama

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State Support

Gov. Ivey signing HB266 accompanied by ACCS Communications and Public Relations Coordinator for Adult Education, Letrice Ware; Vice Chancellor of Adult Education and Correctional Education, David Walters; and Alabama House Representative Matt Woods.
Gov. Ivey signing HB266 accompanied by ACCS Communications and Public Relations Coordinator for Adult Education, Letrice Ware; Vice Chancellor of Adult Education and Correctional Education, David Walters; and Alabama House Representative Matt Woods.
Gov. Ivey signing HB266 accompanied by ACCS Communications and Public Relations Coordinator for Adult Education, Letrice Ware; Vice Chancellor of Adult Education and Correctional Education, David Walters; and Alabama House Representative Matt Woods.
Gov. Ivey signing HB266 accompanied by ACCS Communications and Public Relations Coordinator for Adult Education, Letrice Ware; Vice Chancellor of Adult Education and Correctional Education, David Walters; and Alabama House Representative Matt Woods.

the REACH Act: Reviving Aspirations

The Restoring Educational Advancement of Completing High School (REACH) Act was signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey on June 1, 2025, formally codifying the High School Diploma Option (HSDO) program into Alabama Law, ensuring it remains a viable nontraditional pathway to graduation for eligible individuals.

National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week Proclamation: A Renewed Commitment

National Adult Education Literacy originated in 2009 when the National Coalition for Literacy (NCL) worked with then-Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO), then-Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) to create a Congressionally-recognized designation that would pinpoint the importance of adult education and family literacy. Since its inception, the NCL has sponsored National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week every September, while working with congressional members in the Senate and House of Representatives to have the week permanently recognized through resolutions.

Gov. Kay Ivey annually renews her commitment to adult education and family literacy by raising awareness to its multifaceted aims and purposes in September. During this yearly event, adult education administrators, policymakers, practitioners, scholars, and students highlight the indelible impact of adult education by attending family literacy events, sharing success stories, and volunteering at local non-profit literacy organizations.

Gov. Ivey's Proclamation of National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week.
Gov. Ivey's Proclamation of National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week.
David Walters, Executive Director of Adult Education, accepts the Proclamation on behalf of the adult educators, students, and staff in Alabama from Alyssa Turner, Press Assistant, from Gov. Ivey’s office.
David Walters, Executive Director of Adult Education, accepts the Proclamation on behalf of the adult educators, students, and staff in Alabama from Alyssa Turner, Press Assistant, from Gov. Ivey’s office.

Larissa Benz

District 5 Representative
Ingram State Technical

Larissa Benz is ISTC Adult Education Coordinator for Southern Region. Prior to this position, she worked as an ESL instructor at Auburn University at Montgomery and an Adult Education Coordinator at Southern Union State Community College. There, Benz developed a Career Pathways certification course in Medical Terminology and a Career Pathway certification course for translators and interpreters to meet the needs of the community in medical and legal fields. 
 
Larissa grew up in Ukraine when it was still a part of the Soviet Union. That allowed her to live in different places and travel to countries across EuroAsian continent. Growing up, she was fascinated by various cultures and the diversity. Larissa possesses Master’s degree in Linguistics. The degree opened the doors for her to teach foreign languages and be an interpreter for the UN and European Council conferences, translator for government agencies, non-profit organizations and ministries. 
 
Larissa Benz served as a lecturing professor at Tavria University of Management and Commerce and got her Master’s in Business from there. She also taught at the Crimea University of Pedagogy and Engineering, got accepted to the PhD program and did the research for her thesis there.
 
Benz and her son came to the U.S. in 2001 and worked with several ministries which served children and their families from underserved areas. She created projects and programs for cultural exchange and educational purposes. 
 
She is certified by the British Council to teach Business English and to translate legal documents. In 2022, Ms. Benz earned a certificate in leadership from LEAD University. Languages, art and hiking are her hobbies. 
 
Alabama became Larissa’s promise land and she has embraced the southern culture as her own even though she is still learning its beautiful idiosyncrasies. 

Marsha LeMacks

District 7 Representative
Wallace Dothan

Marsha S. LeMacks is a professional educator with 20+ years of teaching experience.  She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education from Southern Wesleyan University in South Carolina.  She is also a 2025 graduate of the ACCS Instructional Leadership Academy.  Marsha is currently a full-time adult education instructor at Wallace Community College in Dothan, Alabama, and she previously served as the  2024-2025 ALAPCAE  District 7 Representative.