For the Love of Literacy Conference 2026 | Free Online Event – Jan 24 | [Register Now →]
For the Love of Literacy Conference 2026 | Free Online Event – Jan 24 | [Register Now →]
At the Literacy Centre of Expertise, our mission is to serve as a collaborative hub and trusted resource, empowering EAL (English as an Additional Language) literacy service providers across Calgary, Alberta, and beyond. We foster partnerships and share best practices to support students and instructors, creating a consistent, client-centered approach to literacy that enhances learning outcomes and drives positive change in our communities.
We create innovative, culturally inclusive tools for EAL literacy instruction, including Indigenous Readers, 40 phonics stories with workbooks, an interactive handwriting tool, and PBLA-compliant modules for all literacy levels.
We serve as a hub for EAL literacy educators, offering practical tools and curated content. Through partnerships with literacy specialists and active social media engagement, we amplify effective strategies. Each year, we host the national “For the Love of Literacy” Conference, connecting educators and advocates across Canada.
We provide customized workshops, ongoing consultation for adult literacy programs, and monthly “Let’s Talk About” sessions (co-hosted with ATEAL). These sessions feature expert-led discussions and open dialogue, fostering a collaborative national community of EAL literacy practitioners.
If you would like to book a PD session, request support, or if you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us!
The Literacy Centre of Expertise team received the prestigious 2024 Carolyn Dieleman Award from ATEAL. This award recognizes their impactful contributions to innovative and high-quality language and ESL literacy programs in Alberta, acknowledging their dedication to both learners and educators through their innovative resources.
From their website: “The Council of the Federation Literacy Award recognizes outstanding achievement, innovative practice and excellence in literacy. The awards are presented annually, in each province and territory, to recognize the excellence of educators, volunteers, learners, community organizations and businesses in many areas, including family, Indigenous, health, workplace and community literacy.”
John Vasquez joined the Literacy Center of Expertise at TIES in January 2023, bringing with him over two decades of rich experience in the education sector. Originally from Colombia and a resident of Canada for the past seven years, John serves as a Curriculum Developer and LINC instructor. His extensive background spans elementary, secondary, and university-level teaching, as well as school administration. In the past five years, he has focused on Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC), with a particular emphasis on creating relevant, engaging and accessible material to support literacy students. As the newest member of our creative team, John’s knowledge and commitment to literacy education make him a valuable asset to TIES.
Contact: johnvasquez@immigrant-education.ca
Jeremy Wilson is the Curriculum & Project Developer at the Literacy Centre of Expertise at TIES, where he designs and shares level-appropriate, multi-modal literacy resources tailored to the needs of adult learners. With a background as a Curriculum Developer, Instructional Designer, and LINC Literacy Instructor, Jeremy brings a deep commitment to instructional clarity and learner-friendly design. His work supports educators across Canada through conference presentations, professional development sessions, and the annual TIES Love of Literacy Conference.
Jeremy’s teaching emphasizes explicit instruction and strategies that manage cognitive load—practices shaped by years of experience working with diverse newcomer learners at various language levels. He draws continual inspiration from the resilience and dedication of literacy learners, fueling his passion for responsive, effective adult EAL education.
Contact: jeremywilson@immigrant-education.ca
Donna Clarke leads the Literacy Centre of Expertise at TIES with a steadfast commitment to supporting literacy learners. With over 15 years of experience working with adults learning to read and write for the first time, Donna understands the unique challenges literacy learners face and advocates for more research and specialized training to better meet their needs.
She is proud to be part of a team dedicated to creating high-quality, ready-to-use classroom materials that address the needs of learners with limited or interrupted formal education. Donna’s dedication to this work was recognized with the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, underscoring the impact of her efforts and the team’s achievements.
For Donna, literacy is more than a skill, it’s a bridge to community, confidence, and opportunity. Her work is fueled by a tenacity to create lasting change and inspire others to build a supportive, nationwide community for literacy instructors and learners.
Contact: donnaclarke@immigrant-education.ca
Kerry
Jana Ciobanu is the Senior Manager of LINC at TIES, where she has held various positions since 2008. In her current role, she oversees the activities of the Literacy Centre of Expertise, manages the entire Language Department (LINC and ESL) and oversees the Care for Newcomer Children Program as well.
Jana has been instrumental in establishing the Literacy Centre of Expertise, where she is responsible for strategic planning and comprehensive reporting to the funder. Her commitment to the Centre’s growth is evident in her efforts to support both instructors and students enhancing the overall educational experience.
Contact: janaciobanu@immigrant-education.ca
