Using technology to navigate change: Coaching in action at Almaguin Adult Learning Centre

Where can an AlphaPlus technology coach take your adult literacy program? For Randie Doornink, what started as a way to get answers to her Google Workspace questions turned into a systems upgrade that transformed collaboration, communication and the sustainability of her organization.

Randie is the interim executive director at Almaguin Adult Learning Centre (AALC). The Centre provides adult literacy upgrading and training across the Almaguin Highlands, with satellite offices in Powassan, South River and Burk’s Falls, serving a total of 17 small communities. Like other adult literacy programs, AALC had adopted many new technologies in recent years, but by late 2024, Randie was grappling with the need for a more co-ordinated approach.

From Google Workspace questions to a coaching partnership

“We had a strong, ongoing relationship with AlphaPlus for years and often engaged with their research, training, information resources and advice,” explains Randie. “So when an opportunity for technology coaching came up, I requested help with Google Workspace, which we’d had for several years without using it to its full potential.”

Randie connected with Monika Jankowska-Pacyna, one of two AlphaPlus technology coaches. 

“I started by answering Randie’s specific questions about how to use tools in Google Workspace. Then we started considering ideas for integrating it into their operations and programming. One challenge that emerged was inconsistent use,” says Monika. “Multiple team members were using Google Classroom, but just a few were using Calendar, Forms or Drive. Zoom, rather than Meet, was their primary video meeting platform, and no one was using Chat to stay connected across the sites.”

Using technology to support succession and stability

As Monika and Randie began to tackle these daily tool issues, a larger question arose. After a series of senior staffing changes, new hires, as well as the staff team doubling in a very short time, how could technology support the team during rapid growth and leadership changes? Operations manager Anne Walsh joined the coaching conversation as it shifted to ways technology could help with consistency, stability, succession and contingency planning.

“Winging it was no longer sustainable. For example, we have many documents and forms that are frequently updated, and with the growth of our team, saving copies on individual hard drives had become quite the challenge,” explains Randie. “Not only did Monika help us through the major project of organizing our Google Drive and helping our instructors use it more effectively, she also researched and curated useful resources — everything from templates for role descriptions to succession planning documents.” 

Bringing the whole team on board

After several months of working as a trio via Zoom, Randie and Anne invited Monika to provide Google Workspace in-person training for the full team. A professional development gathering they were planning was a golden opportunity to introduce new tools and empower the staff to feel included in building for the future together.

In late summer 2025, Monika joined the team’s training days in South River. She provided a structured Google Workspace training and also created a “sandbox” experience filled with opportunities to experiment, troubleshoot and learn.

“Providing in-person support for the full team allowed me to make deeper connections, understand, and guide individual members,” says Monika. “I strongly believe in the mantra of ‘Tell me and I will forget, show me and I may remember, involve me and I will understand.’ They weren’t only seeing a presentation. They were testing, asking questions and discussing options, and I think it worked.”

According to Randie and Anne, it did. The team left the experience having built knowledge and confidence and having levelled competencies.

The impact: Confidence, efficiency and sustainability

“It’s only a few months later, and we’re already experiencing the benefits of having everyone on the same platform. Now, we’re all using Google Chat, Drive and a shared Calendar,” says Randie. “These changes have improved internal efficiency and clarity, which in turn means learners experience more consistent programs, better communication and smoother transitions into school or work environments that use similar tools.”

Coaching the AALC team benefited Monika as well. “We learn from every program we work with, building knowledge that we can take with us to the next group. This team is small but very mighty, working across a large geographical area. Joining them in person gave me an insight into the program setup and the specific needs and realities of working within more remote communities, in a way I would not have been able to via Zoom alone.”

For Anne, the highlight of working with an AlphaPlus coach was driving progress and inspiring a culture shift towards organizational excellence. “Our experience with Monika gave us a boost of excitement and a feeling of possibility that will continue to colour how we move forward, improving our systems and ultimately continuing to succeed in having an impact in the community.”

Are you ready to work with a technology coach?

For Randie and the AALC team, coaching began with a few Google Workspace questions and grew into a broader shift toward efficiency, confidence and organizational sustainability. What might working with a technology coach do for you?

Our tech coaches Monika and Guylaine Vinet (who works in English and French) are ready to work with a new group of individuals and organizations. And remember: our coaching is free for adult literacy programs in Ontario!

Learn more about what you can gain from working with a technology coach, then email either monika@alphaplus.ca or guylaine@alphaplus.ca to get started.