Hurricane Relief

If you’ve been affected by a recent hurricane, you’re not alone. The Educate & Elevate Foundation has relief funds available to support adult learners during this difficult time. We understand the challenges you may be facing and want to help lighten the load. Please visit educateandelevatefoundation.org to learn more and apply for the SOS Fund. We’re with you every step of the way.

Award Nominations are Open

Outstanding Adult Learner of the Year

Every year, COABE selects an adult education student or alumni to receive the Outstanding Adult Learner of the Year Award. This prestigious award honors the hard work and dedication of one adult learner. In addition to a press release and COABE celebrity status, the winner will get a free trip to Dallas, TX for the 2025 COABE National Conference and a $2,000 check. Could the 2025 winner be you? Encourage your program to nominate you for the award!

Learn about the last two award winners here:

Samuel Gabaldon, 2024 Winner

Mallory Balch, 2023 Winner

Outstanding Teacher of the Year

We all have that one teacher who not only helped us learn but helped us persist when things were challenging. They encouraged us, connected with us, and made a lasting impact on our lives. COABE wants to honor one adult education teacher who has made that impact. The Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award provides national recognition, a free trip to the 2025 COABE National Conference, and a $2,000 check. Nominate your teacher today to let them know just how amazing they are!

Visit the COABE National Awards page for more information and to submit a nomination.

Programs Succeed When Learners Lead Grant

Have you ever had ideas about how to improve your learning program? Now’s your chance! The Programs Succeed When Learners Lead Grant is designed to help learners like you partner with your program to make a real impact. By working together, you can design and lead projects that make your experience better, from creating new activities to strengthening support for other students.

Your voice and ideas matter. Don’t miss this opportunity to team up with your program and apply for funding that can turn your vision into reality! Talk with your instructor or program staff today about getting involved.

Learn more: Programs Succeed When Learners Lead

Save the Date for the COABE 2025 Conference

The COABE Learner Summit returns in 2025 as part of the National Conference! Join us in Dallas, Texas on March 31, 2025 for the Learner Summit and stay through April 2nd for the full conference experience. While we hope that you can make it to Dallas to join us, a virtual option will also be available. As an adult learner, you can register for free! That is a $600+ value. 

Many learners can find funding to attend the conference through their adult education state association or their program. If you need help looking for funding through your state, contact Erin at erinvobornik@coabe.org. She can help you locate your state association contact, craft an email to your program, or search for other funding opportunities. The time to plan for the conference is now.

Want to attend but cannot afford the travel and hotel? Watch your email for information from COABE about scholarship opportunities to help you get to Dallas!

Spotlight on Success

Marissa Benfield was denied the right to an education and cut off from the world. She was finally able to attend high school, but her parents did not make it easy for her to get there. Marissa was getting straight A's, but was not allowed to pass the semester due to how many days she had missed, so she never went back. Eventually Marissa found an adult education program and has changed her life. Read her story.

Every month, the COABE Compass will spotlight the success story of an adult learner. If you want to submit your success story, complete this form. View more success stories on the Educate and Elevate site.

Sign the Educate & Elevate America Pledge

Every year, COABE advocates for increased funding for adult education. Without a unified voice, legislators do not understand what adult education is and the impact that it has on people, families, and communities. We want to show Congress that people support adult education and believe that it makes a difference. That is why we launched an innovative Educate & Elevate America Pledge!

Help us get to 1 millions signers in 2 easy steps:

1. Sign the pledge!
2. Share the pledge on social media and by email with everyone you know!

Google Scholars

The multi-year partnership between COABE and Google resulted in an award for 500 Google Career Certificates in six high-growth fields that lead to a median wage of $76,000 per year. Throughout the program, Google Scholars are able to access guidance from an experienced mentor and adult education teacher. We congratulate our certificate completers from September 2024 below. 

Project Management

• Janiel Mayhew (MA)
• Randall Correa (MA)
• Diana Yuh (PA)

AI Essentials

• Christiane Unruh (KS)
• John Taldone (IL)
• Kim Olson (SD)
• Joey Lehrman (LA)
• Hassan Maleki (TX)
• Jen Brown (ME)
• Martisa Brown (VA)
• Rebecca Guerry (SC)
• Jennifer Gagliardi (CA)

Thanks to the partnership between COABE and Google, you can continue to access Applied Digital Skills for free. Learn more and start strengthening your digital skills today!

COABE’s Advocast Podcast

Have you listened to COABE’s Advocast podcast? In each episode, co-hosts, Erin and Sara, talk to a guest about how they are working to change the field of adult education. Each episode also includes a special adult learner guest star who shares their story of how adult education has impacted their life. Learn more here and listen on your favorite podcast platform.