Connect with Adult Ed: The NMAEA Podcast

Lightbulb Moment: Teaching Science Literacy in the Adult Ed Classroom

In this episode, Nadia and Jamie sit down and talk to Nina Bar-Giora, IET instructor at Taos Education & Career Center and Propel consultant. We talk science literacy, the Science HSE exam, trying to balance exciting subject matter with what students need, and favorite science resources and instructional methods. We had a great time talking and learning from Nina. We hope you enjoy listening!*Nadia said Rousseau was a philosopher-scientist, but meant Descartes!*Intro & outro music: Energetic Hip-hop by Skilsel Free for use under the Pixabay Content License

On the streets at MPAEA/NMAEA 2025

Nadia is out on the streets at the Mountain Plains Adult Education Association conference. Participants share their reflections and hopes for the conference. Nadia and Jamie wrap up with their experiences and thoughts.

My Adult Ed Career: Two Adult Ed Practitioners Reflect on Their Personal and Professional Journeys

Just like every adult learner's story is different, so is the story of every adult education practitioner. In this episode, Nadia and Jamie get real! They share how they got into adult ed and discuss their challenges, successes, and deep appreciation for the field. they also talk about networking, career strategies, and professional learning.

Connection, Activities, Hobbies, and Recharging: How We Celebrate Breaks

In this episode, Nadia and Jamie read submissions from the field on how practitioners celebrate breaks. We discuss different ways in which we spend time with loved ones, enjoy various activities, invest in hobbies, travel, and other ways we reconnect and recharge. We appreciate everyone who sent in their suggestions and questions and hope everyone has a restful and enjoyable holiday break!

Reflections & Existential Musings: The Necessity of Breaks

In this bonus episode, Nadia and Jamie focus on one particular listener response in which we ponder the crucial need for breaks and how working conditions affect how we take breaks as a field. It’s a rich discussion that we hope you enjoy.

Let Them Struggle a Bit: Math Best Practices in the Adult Ed Classroom Part 2

Math. Test Anxiety. These two terms seem synonymous when it comes to the high school equivalency exams. Thankfully, neither of these needs to be crippling, and we found a practitioner who turns mistakes into opportunities and math into an art. Join Nadia and Jamie, along with special guest Michael Carriere of UNM-Valencia’s Next Steps Adult Education Program, in this engaging and enlightening episode of "Connect with Adult Ed.” Michael shares valuable strategies for alleviating math anxiety, fostering a supportive classroom environment, and encouraging students to embrace the learning process. Together, we delve into the challenges of teaching math, particularly addressing math anxiety among students and applications to real-life scenarios. Discover new perspectives on math instruction that can transform the way adult educators approach teaching and students engage with math.

Let Them Struggle a Bit: Math Best Practices in the Adult Ed Classroom Part 1

Math. Test Anxiety. These two terms seem synonymous when it comes to the high school equivalency exams. Thankfully, neither of these needs to be crippling, and we found a practitioner who turns mistakes into opportunities and math into an art. Join Nadia and Jamie, along with special guest Michael Carriere of UNM-Valencia’s Next Steps Adult Education Program, in this engaging and enlightening episode of "Connect with Adult Ed.” Michael shares valuable strategies for alleviating math anxiety, fostering a supportive classroom environment, and encouraging students to embrace the learning process. Together, we delve into the challenges of teaching math, particularly addressing math anxiety among students and applications to real-life scenarios. Discover new perspectives on math instruction that can transform the way adult educators approach teaching and students engage with math.

Serving All Students Test Accommodations for the GED and HiSET Part 2

Adult education students have a wide range of abilities and needs, especially when it comes to taking a high-stakes test like the GED or HiSET. Both test publishers have systems in place to provide accommodations to students with learning, physical, and mental differences and disabilities. Navigating these systems can be very challenging for practitioners. Thankfully, Katya Backhaus from the state office has the answers and the desire to support practitioners and students! Join Nadia and Jamie as they interview Katya, asking her questions that were provided by practitioners regarding testing accommodations. We guarantee you will come away with this episode with new information and tools to help your students succeed!

Serving All Students Test Accommodations for the GED and HiSET Part 1

Adult education students have a wide range of abilities and needs, especially when it comes to taking a high-stakes test like the GED or HiSET. Both test publishers have systems in place to provide accommodations to students with learning, physical, and mental differences and disabilities. Navigating these systems can be very challenging for practitioners. Thankfully, Katya Backhaus from the state office has the answers and the desire to support practitioners and students! Join Nadia and Jamie as they interview Katya, asking her questions that were provided by practitioners regarding testing accommodations. We guarantee you will come away with this episode with new information and tools to help your students succeed!

Serving Neurodiverse Students Part 2

In this episode, Nadia and Jamie sit down with Dené Shelton from NMHED and Julie Wright from Catholic Charities and answer questions from you, our listeners, on how to handle challenging situations when serving neurodiverse students. Dené’s policy background, coupled with Julie’s executive functioning and teaching experience, make a strong foundation of knowledge and skills for tackling the big questions. We discuss classroom accommodations and how to address program policies on serving students. If you are working on how to make your program more accessible for neurodiverse students and don’t know where to start, this is it!