ESOL Instructor

Grace Conkey

Grace Conkey is an ESOL Instructor at Adult Literacy Plus of Southwest Arizona (ALPS),
where she supports adult learners in developing essential English language skills for everyday
communication, employment, and community involvement. Grace creates engaging lessons
tailored to meet the diverse needs of her students, helping them strengthen their reading, writing,
listening, and speaking skills through interactive activities, real-world applications, and online
learning tools.
Grace brings a well-rounded background in both education and customer service to her role. In
addition to her work in adult education, she serves as a teacher for Yuma Elementary School
District, where she collaborates with educators to develop individualized learning plans and
provide targeted instruction to help students achieve their academic goals. Her experience
working in fast-paced customer service environments, such as McDonald’s, has strengthened her
communication skills, adaptability, and ability to create positive experiences for those she serves.
Grace holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Special Education from Grand
Canyon University and is bilingual in English and Spanish. She is passionate about creating
supportive, inclusive classrooms where adult learners feel empowered to improve their language
skills and reach their personal and professional goals.

ESOL Instructor

Maria Johnson

Maria Johnson serves as an ESOL Instructor at Adult Literacy Plus of Southwest Arizona, bringing decades of experience in adult education, language acquisition, and literacy instruction.
She is passionate about helping adult learners strengthen their English skills to advance their education, careers, and overall quality of life. Maria provides standards-aligned instruction guided by assessment data, ensuring students receive targeted support that leads to measurable academic growth.

Throughout her career, Maria has taught ESL, GED preparation, citizenship, and literacy courses to diverse populations, including migrant and seasonal farmworkers, at-risk youth, and adults
seeking new opportunities. She has served in public schools, charter schools, correctional education settings, community-based organizations, and adult education programs. Her work reflects a strong commitment to student retention, accurate assessment practices, educational
counseling, and compliance with state and federal program requirements.

Maria holds a Bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University and a Master of Education degree from the University of Phoenix. She is fully bilingual in English and Spanish and holds multiple professional credentials, including Adult Education Certification, TABE/Class E testing certification, SEI endorsement, and a valid Fingerprint Clearance Card. Her dedication to lifelong learning, leadership, and student advocacy continues to make a meaningful impact on the adult learners she serves.

San Luis Library Literacy Coordinator

Raul Uriarte

Raul Uriarte is an ESOL Instructor at the San Luis Library District Branch, where he supports adult learners as they begin their English language journey. He helps students develop essential communication skills needed for the workplace,  government processes, and everyday
interactions. His classes follow adult education standards and emphasize practical communication, interactive lessons, and real-life scenarios that build confidence and fluency.

Raul holds a master’s degree in educational management from the Sonoran Institute of Public Administration in Mexico and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the State University of Sonora in Mexico. He has over five years of university-level teaching experience and more than ten years of experience training adults to participate in civic activities related to federal elections. He is known for his empathy, warm demeanor, and dedication to continuous improvement.

Raul is passionate about personal growth and takes pride in helping students reach their educational
and professional goals.

ESOL Lead Instructor

Renee Mendoza

Renee Mendoza is an ESOL Instructor at Adult Literacy Plus of Southwest Arizona (ALPS),
where he supports adult learners in building the English skills needed for career advancement
and daily life. His lessons focus on practical communication, workplace preparation, and career
readiness, helping students develop resumes, practice interview skills, and improve professional
interactions.
With a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health Science from Grand Canyon University and an
associate’s degree from Arizona Western College, Renee brings a strong background in student
support, emotional reassurance, and goal-setting. Prior to ALPS, he worked in healthcare,
providing patient care and administrative support, which strengthened his ability to build trust
and guide individuals through meaningful progress.
Renee is passionate about creating a welcoming classroom environment where students feel
confident, capable, and motivated to achieve their personal and professional goals.

MAT Lead Instructor

Amanda De La Torre

Amanda De La Torre is a highly skilled mathematics instructor at Adult Literacy Plus of
Southwest Arizona (ALPS). She holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Arizona State
University, where she graduated summa cum laude with a 3.98 GPA and earned Dean’s List
honors for seven semesters.
At ALPS, Amanda teaches Adult Basic Education (ABE) math courses, creating effective,
standards-aligned lessons designed to build student confidence and mastery in mathematics. She
is dedicated to fostering a supportive classroom environment that motivates adult learners and
helps them achieve their academic and career goals. Amanda incorporates digital assessment
tools like Nearpod and Google Forms to monitor student progress and provide targeted
instruction.
Before joining ALPS, Amanda taught Algebra at Kofa High School, where she worked with over
100 students, covering foundational topics such as equations, inequalities, graphing, and
quadratic functions. Her experience in both secondary and adult education has strengthened her
ability to adapt her teaching strategies to meet the diverse needs of learners.
Amanda is certified in Adult Education and as a Subject Matter Expert in Mathematics for
grades 6-12. She is passionate about empowering students with the math skills they need for high
school equivalency exams, workforce readiness, and lifelong success.

ELA Lead INSTRUCTOR

Daniel Landesman

Daniel Landesman is an English Language Arts (ELA) Instructor at Adult Literacy Plus of Southwest Arizona (ALPS), where he brings a diverse background in education, vocational training, and student support services. At ALPS, Daniel focuses on helping adult learners strengthen their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills to achieve success in high school equivalency preparation, college readiness, and career advancement.

Daniel has over a decade of experience working with youth and adult learners in both classroom and case management settings. He has served as a vocational education coordinator and youth specialist, providing educational and career guidance, monitoring student progress, and collaborating with local partners to ensure students receive the support they need to meet their goals. He also has experience as a substitute teacher and vocational instructor, where he taught a variety of subjects to students of all ages and abilities.

Daniel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Theater from Occidental College and is currently completing a master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management at Arizona State University. His commitment to equitable access to education, coupled with his communication and organizational strengths, makes him a valuable addition to the ALPS instructional team.

IET Instructor

Maria Duarte

Maria Duarte serves as an Integrated Education and Training (IET) Instructor at Adult Literacy Plus of Southwest Arizona, where she has supported adult learners in the Yuma community since 2006. In her role, she delivers career-focused instruction that blends academic skills with workforce training, helping students gain industry credentials and transition successfully into employment.

Maria has extensive experience working with diverse adult populations, including English learners and individuals seeking career advancement. She is known for creating engaging, practical lessons that connect classroom learning to real-world workplace skills. She holds a master’s degree in Bilingual/Multicultural Education, a bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University, and an associate’s degree from Arizona Western College. Fluent in English and Spanish, Maria is dedicated to empowering students to achieve their professional and personal goals through education and training.

IET Lead Instructor

Adriana Felix

Adriana Felix serves as an Integrated Education and Training (IET) Instructor at Adult Literacy Plus of Southwest Arizona. In her role, she leads career-focused programs including Customer Service and Sales, Business of Retail, Supply Chain, Inventory and Logistics, and Certified Billing and Coding Specialist courses. Adriana provides instruction that blends adult education, workforce preparation, and industry-recognized training to help students gain practical skills that lead directly to employment and career advancement.

Adriana brings extensive experience in education, career development, and student support. Prior to stepping into her IET role, she worked in literacy programming, career readiness, higher education coordination, and vocational rehabilitation services. Her background in workforce development and case management allows her to understand the unique barriers adult learners face and to provide structured, goal-oriented instruction that supports both academic and employment outcomes.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Services from the University of Phoenix and is deeply committed to helping students build confidence, earn industry credentials, and transition successfully into the workforce. Adriana is passionate about creating clear pathways from education to career, ensuring that every student she serves has the tools and support needed to
succeed.

Data Entry & Assessment Proctor

Amanda Gonzalez

Amanda Gonzalez is the Data Entry & Assessment Proctor at Adult Literacy Plus of Southwest Arizona (ALPS), where she provides essential support in managing student assessment sessions and ensuring the accurate handling of program data. She plays a key role in maintaining testing integrity, assisting with scheduling, and preparing materials needed for in-person and digital assessments.
Amanda brings strong skills in data management, customer service, and administrative support. She previously interned at ALPS as an Administrative Assistant, where she helped schedule student registrations, maintained attendance records, and provided tech support to students and instructional staff. Her recent experience in data entry at Bose Corporation further strengthened her skills in accurate reporting, inventory tracking, and time-sensitive data processing.
She is currently pursuing an Associate of Applied Science in Computer Information Systems at Arizona Western College. Amanda is detail-oriented, bilingual, and committed to maintaining data security and confidentiality while supporting the academic success of ALPS students.

Administrative Assistant I

Janneth Melendrez

Janneth Melendrez is the Administrative Assistant at Adult Literacy Plus of Southwest Arizona
(ALPS), where she plays a key role in ensuring the smooth daily operations of the program.
Bilingual in English and Spanish, Janneth provides vital support to both staff and students
through her expertise in office management, scheduling, and customer service.
Janneth originally joined ALPS as a WIOA WEX Office Aide, where she assisted with
administrative duties, data management, and client services. In her current role, she manages
calendars, organizes documentation, supports inventory control, and helps coordinate meetings
and events. Her strong communication and organizational skills contribute to a welcoming and
efficient environment for the ALPS team and the community they serve.
In addition to her work at ALPS, Janneth volunteers as an Office Assistant and Teacher at Agua
Viva Church, supporting classroom setup, instructional material preparation, and administrative
tasks. Her dedication to service, both professionally and in the community, reflects her
commitment to helping others succeed.
Janneth is a graduate of PPEP Tech High School and has completed coursework in English,
math, and career development at Arizona Western College. With a talent for multitasking,
problem-solving, and maintaining confidentiality, she is a valued part of the ALPS team, helping
to keep operations running smoothly and ensuring students receive the support they need.

Administrative Assistant IV

Anna Estrada

Anna Estrada is the Data and Assessment Coordinator at Adult Literacy Plus of Southwest Arizona (ALPS), where she manages student records, oversees testing processes, and ensures accurate program reporting. With over a decade of experience at ALPS, Anna plays a key role in tracking student attendance, monitoring academic progress, and organizing assessment schedules, both on-site and remotely, all while maintaining the highest standards of privacy and accuracy.
Prior to her current role, Anna served as both Administrative Assistant I and II, where she led daily office operations, supported staff and students, managed registration procedures, and coordinated with community partners. Her strong background in office management, technology systems, and student services has made her an essential part of the ALPS team.
Anna is highly trained in secure student data handling, protecting sensitive information, administering standardized academic tests, and managing online learning platforms for student success. She is currently pursuing an associate’s degree in business administration and occupational office management from Arizona Western College.
Anna is committed to helping students succeed by providing the critical behind-the-scenes support needed to keep the program running smoothly and effectively.Anna is a member of the Arizona Association for Lifelong Learning (AALL), Commission on
Adult Basic Education (COABE), American Society of Administrative Professionals (ASAP),
and International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP).

College & Career Advisor

Araceli Molina

Araceli Molina is the College and Career Navigator at Adult Literacy Plus of Southwest
Arizona (ALPS), where she supports adult learners in achieving their academic and career goals.
Araceli works closely with students to develop personalized education and career plans, track
progress, and provide guidance on college readiness, job placement, and workforce
certifications. She also serves as a liaison between ALPS and community partners, connecting
students to local resources and opportunities through education and career fairs.
Before joining ALPS, Araceli worked as a reading tutor, helping students build literacy skills
through personalized instruction and online learning platforms. Her experience in education,
combined with her strong background in customer service and public relations, allows her to
provide compassionate, effective support to diverse learners.
Araceli holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from San Diego State University and an
associate’s degree in liberal studies from Imperial Valley College. Passionate about student
success, she is committed to helping individuals overcome barriers and create meaningful
pathways to education and employment.

Program Director

Jesse Figueroa

Jesse Figueroa is the Program Director of Adult Literacy Plus of Southwest Arizona (ALPS),
bringing over 22 years of experience in adult education and workforce development. Under his
leadership, ALPS has become the top-performing adult education program in Arizona for four
consecutive years. Jesse is a Certified Manager of Program Improvement (CMPI) and is
recognized for transforming underperforming programs into high-achieving models through
strategic planning, data-driven decision-making, and innovative curriculum design.
Throughout his career, Jesse has successfully secured over $2 million in grants, expanded
community partnerships, and implemented impactful workforce development initiatives aligned
with Arizona Teacher Standards. His vision has led to the creation of award-winning career and
technical education programs and the expansion of outreach through new in-kind locations to
serve more learners across the region.
Jesse holds a Master of Education in Human Relations and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary
Education from Northern Arizona University, along with an Associate of Arts in Elementary
Education from Arizona Western College. He is certified in Adult Education, Elementary
Education (K-8), and Structured English Immersion (K-12).
Jesse is committed to advancing adult education on a local and statewide level through his active
involvement with the Yuma County Workforce Development Board, the Educational Opportunity
Center Charter High School, and the Yuma County Family & Community Resource Center Task
Force. His work continues to focus on empowering adult learners to reach their educational and
career goals through high-quality instruction, professional development, and strong community
collaborations.