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SPECIAL EVENTS RECAP COUNTY UPDATES ON THE FRONT LINES LITERACY SUPPORTERS
The Literacy Council’s ESOL Educator Conference for Volunteer-Based Programs By: Theresa Sterling, Helpline Services Manager/ ESOL Specialist The inaugural English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Educator Conference for Volunteer-Based Programs will be October 30th at The Junior League of Birmingham. The conference targets small organizations and individual volunteer tutors who serve English language learners in Central Alabama. The event focuses on bringing together the myriad research and pedagogic talent present in Birmingham to increase knowledge of ESOL best teaching practices across programs in order to maintain high quality instruction for English language learners (ELLs) in our community. The ESOL Educator Conference provides professional development opportunities for program staff and volunteers working for providers that often do not participate in national, regional or state Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) conferences. The targeted participants have historically struggled with finding funds for larger-scale professional development opportunities such as annual TESOL conferences. The national TESOL conference is normally out of state, and the state and regional conferences are usually within driving distance but fill two days. For smaller programs or individuals, registration fees, travel and hotel expenses are often barriers to attending and engaging in valuable professional development, a key to program improvement and sustainment. Because 75% of ESOL providers in The Literacy Council’s service area are community based organizations, faith-based programs, small non-profit agencies, or individual volunteer tutors not affiliated with programs, there is a definite need to provide this group of educators with valuable professional development equal to that available to educators from formal, system-bound, or governmentsupported programs. The Literacy Council plans to make the ESOL Educator Conference for VolunteerBased Programs an annual professional development aligned with its mission of strengthening and supporting organizations and individuals providing literacy services in Central Alabama.
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THE LITERACY COUNCIL | A Partner In Reading
LiteracyMatters Matters A PUBLICATION OF THE LITERACY
COUNCIL | SUMMER 2009 | VOLUME 18 | ISSUE 6
Never Too Late
At Age 42, Program Beneficiary Prepares to Give Back to the Community By: Debra DesVignes, Marketing & Events Manager
Gabriella and Deanette Adelmann. Photo courtesy of Joy Wright Photography.
Deanette Adelmann felt something missing in her life since she dropped out of high school more than two decades ago. “You just don’t feel complete without it,” she says, referring to a high school diploma. Adelmann left high school in the tenth grade after getting involved with the wrong crowd. At 27, she had her first child and worked a series of odd jobs to help support her family. Eventually becoming a stay-at-home mom, she felt no special sense of urgency to acquire her diploma. But recently, the economic downturn has resulted in less work hours for her husband, and her son is now in the tenth grade – the point at which Adelmann abandoned her own education. Adelmann says she decided to set a good example and invest in herself and her family by obtaining her General Educational Diploma (GED). In April of 2009, Adelmann enrolled in GED classes at Jeff State in Pell City. There she met Sara Beth Blair, an adult education instructor and a board member of The Literacy Council’s St. Clair County chapter. “Working with Deanette was a pleasure, as she was selfmotivated and diligent,” Blair says. “In class, she set an example of what it takes to get your GED, especially [for] the younger students, who
are often easily distracted.” “Someone needs to believe you can do it, even if you don’t,” Blair says about the determination required to absorb all the knowledge gained in high school without the traditional support, discipline, and insistence of parents and teachers. “Few can survive on minimum wage, and to get a job with good pay and benefits, education is a must,” Blair says. Because Adelmann passed all of her practice tests in class, she was eligible for The Literacy Council’s Jackie Wuska Hurt GED Scholarship. The scholarships are vital to many students who struggle to raise the $50 registration fee. After two months of hard work, Adelmann took the GED and passed all subjects the first time. In the fall, Deanette will start college courses with a goal of becoming a nurse. “With today’s economy, you need to prepare for the future. I’m 42 and starting college,” she says, smiling at the thought. For more information about The Literacy Council Jackie Wuska Hurt GED Scholarship Program contact The Literacy Council at 205-326-1925 or 1-800-448-7323 or log onto www.literacy-council.org.
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