Correctional Education Association–
Wisconsin Speakers’ Bureau

What goes on in Wisconsin prisons and jails to transform the lives of those incarcerated?

Research has shown that providing education programs for offenders is a cost-effective way of creating safer communities. Adult and juvenile offenders who participate in literacy programs, earn high school equivalency diplomas, complete vocational training, or participate in treatment programs are far more likely to lead productive lives and stay out of trouble after release from incarceration.

Your class or organization can learn more about these education programs from the educators who provide them!

Almost three years ago, the Correctional Education Association–Wisconsin established a Speakers’ Bureau comprised of experienced educators, librarians, administrators and other individuals working in correctional education environments to provide lectures, workshops, and guest presentations to schools, government agencies, and community organizations.

Because of the constant turnover of educators in state institutions and county jails, it has been very difficult to maintain an up-to-date list of available speakers. So, CEA-W discontinued the posting of a formal Speakers’ List on the www.ceawisconsin.org website.

This does not mean CEA-W is abandoning its commitment to provide speakers for lectures, workshops, and guest presentations at schools, government agencies, and community organizations. Instead, CEA-W will handle requests for speakers on an individual basis.

If you are a teacher, agency director, or member of a community or religious organization, you are encouraged to use the CEA-W Speakers’ Bureau to help your class, agency, or group learn more about what goes on in Wisconsin prisons and county jails to transform the lives of those incarcerated.

If you would like to arrange for a speaker, you may contact d like to arrange for a speaker for your class or organization, contact CEA-Wisconsin Vice-President Mary Stierna at mary.stierna@wisconsin.gov or 920-426-4310 ext 4165 or CEA-Wisconsin Board Member Jerry Bednarowski at jerrybednarowski@new.rr.com or 920-734-5902.

Many of the presentations are provided free of a speaker’s fee. Travel, meal, and lodging expenses may be negotiated between the speaker and the agency hosting the presentation. Some presentations may require audiovisual equipment. Many of these speakers may also be available for individual consultation.

In order to maintain the high quality of the presentations, CEA-W will request that the organization receiving the presentation complete a short evaluation form.

If you are a CEA member and would like to share your knowledge and experience by becoming a part of the CEA-W Speakers’ Bureau, contact Jerry. Your information will be kept in our database and information on your availability and topic may be included in the CEA-W newsletter.

Here is a partial list of topics which can be presented by members of the CEA-W Speakers Bureau:

      A History of Correctional Education in Wisconsin
      Correctional Education: Making a Difference
      Education Programs in Adult Institutions
      The Wisconsin Technical College System /Department of Corrections Partnership
      Vocational Programs in Wisconsin Institutions
      New Directions: A Roadmap to Prison Life & Beyond
      Education Programs in Juvenile Institutions
      Promoting Your County Jail Program
      What Your Jail Does for the Community
      Wisconsin Technical College System/Jail Partnerships
      Literacy Council/Jail Partnerships
      Wisconsin’s Incarcerated Youth Offender Academic Program
      Writing an Effective Five Paragraph GED Essay
      Dealing with Difficult Readers
      Storytelling to Promote Literacy
      Helping your Students Deal with Grief
      Bringing Life Skills to Life
      Financial Literacy
      Vocation Programs in Wisconsin Institutions
      Vocational Literacy: A Model with Results
      Conducting an Inmate Job Fair
      Re-Entry: A Bridge to Success
      Beginning a One-Stop Job Center in Your Institution
      Parenting Classes in Corrections
      Parent Support Groups
      Parent/Child Literacy Programs
      CEA-W Inmate Creativity Project
      Developing an Inmate Drama Group
      Teaching in Corrections: From College to Corrections
      Teaching in County Jails
      Being a Librarian in a Prison
      Establishing a Tutoring Program
      Games Tutors Play
      Volunteers Enhancing Institution’s Programs
      CEA Services & Membership Benefits

Learn more about our efforts to transform the lives of the incarcerated. Contact us and bring an excellent resource to your school, government agency, and community organization. We look forward to working with you.