Robert Brown, Blue Gargoyle Adult Learning Program, Chicago
Robert was able to reach his longtime goal to start his own home
cleaning business by improving his basic skills. In addition to
being able to read street signs better, make a shopping list,
read to his grandchildren, he is better able to draw up proposals
and contracts for his business. He is also able to communicate
better with his children because he uses words more easily. Even
with a very busy schedule, Robert has a nearly perfect attendance
record at Blue Gargoyle’s evening classes. He is a very
dedicated student.
Ethel Davis, Southwestern Illinois College, Belleville
After enrolling in Even Start classes, Ethel worked at home with
a tutor and passed the GED test two weeks before delivery of her
fifth baby. Ethel set an example for her children studying at
the kitchen table side by side with her daughter. She became
involved with her children at school and volunteered to be the
Brownie leader and Cub Scout leader for her children’s troops.
After attaining her GED, Ethel went on to nurse assistant
training and has become certified to work fulltime in a nursing
home on the Alzheimer’s wing. The special challenges of this job
have been met with professionalism and rewarded with salary
increases. Ethel has set new goals. She wants to go back to
school to be a physical therapist or become a registered nurse.
She is a wonderful role model to other families in the Even Start
program.
Daniel Gaspar, Waukegan Public Library, Waukegan
Daniel is very focused on his learning goals. He has improved
his reading skills, can write checks and not have his wife check
them, has registered to vote and is making the arrangements for
food and entertainment for the LVA New Readers for Life
conference. He has even written a letter to Secretary White
suggesting improvements for the parking stickers for the
disabled. He once told another student that the literacy program
was "family" and they’re here for you if you need any support.
Daniel is a very giving person and wants to give back to the
community that has helped him so much. Daniel’s tutor, Teta
Minuzzo, is also a Spotlight on Service winner. Congratulations
to both of you!
Blandina Hermez, Albany Park Community Center, Chicago
Blandina emigrated from Syria in 1993. She attended classes at
Albany Park Community Center to learn to read, write, speak and
understand English. This has enabled her to achieve important
objectives such as being promoted to the position of inspector at
her job and receiving a pay raise. She has also obtained her
driver’s license, becoming the only driver in her family and
improving their quality of life. All of her hard work has been
recently rewarded by obtaining her U.S. citizenship. Blandina
talks to other Assyrians in the area convincing many to come to
school and becoming an advocate for their needs.
Elisa, Veronica and Maribel Jaramillo, Chicago Commons Employment
and Training Center, Chicago
Since starting classes at Chicago Commons, Elisa has learned to
read, write, speak and understand English. She can communicate
with her daughter’s teacher, ask the doctor questions and better
communicate with her oldest daughter. Elisa volunteers two hours
per week at the Head Start program where Maribel attends and has
gained valuable childcare provider skills. She also volunteered
2-3 afternoons for two weeks in the infant room at Chicago
Commons. Elisa performed her duties extremely well and
communicated only in English. She reads books to her daughters
and takes them to the library several times a week. Veronica is
in elementary school doing very well and also learning to read.
The family is learning how to use the computer they won in a
contest after reading over 200 books together.
Michelle Jefferson, Westside Employment Education Center, Chicago
Michelle began classes at Westside Employment Education Center to
obtain her GED. She is now able to read better to her children
and help her older daughter with her school work. Michelle’s
studious example not only motivates her children but also her
younger sister whom she now tutors and who is more determined
than ever to complete her high school education. Because of
childcare needs, Michelle must take two buses and one train to
get to class in the evening and walk home through dangerous
neighborhoods. She also has a health condition that sometimes
keeps her from class. Despite all that is working against her,
Michelle perseveres. Her long term goal is to become a nurse so
she can help other people.
Melzina and Travon Johnson, Blue Gargoyle Adult Learning/Family
Learning Project, Chicago
Melzina and Travon attend the Blue Gargoyle Family Learning
Project. Melzina attends seminars in parenting skills as well as
reading/writing, math and computer classes. Spare time is spent
in the nursery reading to the pre-schoolers, singing and doing
craft projects together. Because her daughter is deaf, Melzina
lobbied her alderman and received a street sign to warn drivers
that a deaf child lives there. Melzina’s reading has greatly
improved and she made a promise to herself that she will always
keep reading. "Reading is knowledge and it never ends." Both
students are doing great.
Yolanda Sanchez and Jose Reyes, Chicago Commons Employment and
Training Center, Chicago
Yolanda and Jose have both made tremendous progress since they
started with Chicago Commons Employment and Training Center.
Yolanda has learned to speak, read and write in English. She can
go to the doctor, take public transportation, and understand
prescriptions without help from her husband. Knowing the English
language has helped her get a job where she had been
volunteering. She has read over 800 books to her son. The
library is their second home. The impact on Jose has been
tremendous. He speaks both English and Spanish now which enables
him to interact very well with other children. Yolanda also won
a computer last year for reading over 300 books to Jose. In
fact, Jose won’t go to sleep at night without having a book read
to him.
Hong Tran, Robinson Public Library, Robinson
Hong came to America from Cambodia primarily speaking Chinese.
Since signing up for instruction at Robinson Public Library, he
was able to pass the written driver’s test in English. Learning
the "American" way is important to Hong and he is now able to
have his own apartment, do his own shopping and can understand co-
workers and customers better. In spite of his busy six day work
week, he finds time to learn a new language which is just one
hurdle for a newcomer. Hong visits the Robinson Public Library
often to check out books or movies to help with learning English
and life in America. Hong’s tutor, Michele Nash, is also a
Spotlight on Service winner. Congratulations to both of you!
Irene Tyler, Urbana Adult Education Center, Urbana
Irene has 10 children, 30 grandchildren and 43 great
grandchildren. Just a few years ago, Irene decided to attend
classes at Urbana Adult Education Center. Her goal was to get
her high school diploma since she had to quit school at a young
age and go to work. In addition to her classes, she participates
in a family literacy evening program and brings three of her
great grandchildren with her. Irene’s attitude toward learning
and people are excellent role models for her extensive family and
those attending class with her. No matter how challenging a goal
may be she never ceases trying. Irene is looking forward to
obtaining a better job now that she will have her high school
diploma. Irene proves again that it is never too late to strive
to reach one’s personal goals and that education is a lifelong
endeavor.
FY2000 SPOTLIGHT ON SERVICE WINNERS
MAY 19, 2000
Jane Carey, Oakton Community College, Skokie
After attending a workshop on tutoring, Jane observed classes to
see which level she would like to work with. While at the
beginning level class, the placement aid brought in eight new
students who couldn’t answer the question "What is your name?"
The teacher asked if she would take these eight students
somewhere and work with them. From then on she was hooked. Jane
continued with these eight students but has had many more since
then. What a thrill for her to see people from six or seven
countries, of all ages and colors, working and laughing together
and being eager to learn about each other’s country. The
similarities are far greater than the differences.
Peg Fletcher, McHenry County College, Crystal Lake
Peg has taught math for 33 years at the grade school as well as
high school level. After reading a bulletin from McHenry County
College asking for math tutors, she volunteered. Math is one of
the components of the GED and disliked by many students. Peg has
a gift that makes math understandable to students at all levels.
After a few sessions with Peg, many students were able to pass
the math course and earn their GED. One of her success stories
is helping a young man with math who was going to quit the
program because he felt he couldn’t pass the math test. After
working with him for a couple of months, he took the math test
and passed it. He passed all the requirements and received his
diploma. Then he went on and took college classes. Now he is an
aide to a state representative.
Shalini Gupta, Indo-American Center, Chicago
Teaching English as a second language at Indo-American Center
gives Shalini the opportunity to combine her desire to continue
teaching English with her goal of giving back to the East Asian
community. Her students range in age from early 20’s to late
60’s. She helps her students become more self-sufficient and
feel more at home in this country. By learning to read English,
they can pick up the paper and learn more about current events.
By learning to write, they can fill out their medical history
form at the doctor’s office. By learning to speak English, they
can converse with their grandchildren, answer the phone or go to
the grocery store on their own. Shalini finds it truly
gratifying to know she is a part of their learning.
Kathleen Harrold, Oakton Community College, Skokie
Kathleen helps students from all cultures learn English and their
stories give her a window to the world. Kathleen has tutored all
levels of students from the beginning to the advanced. She
develops lessons to meet her students’ individual needs. She
finds information her students need on her own time, gives them
strategies for solving their own problems and does an exceptional
job preparing students for job interviews and subsequent
employment. She acquaints her students with American customs and
culture. Kathleen also serves as a mentor to new tutors by
offering them insights on materials, instructional strategies and
learning styles. New tutors feel more comfortable in class and
are more self-assured about their ability to make a contribution
after talking to Kathleen.
Barbara Lawyer, Spoon River College, Macomb
Barbara enjoys helping students of all ages and backgrounds. She
works with students in English as a second language classes, who
have a developmental disability or those working on their GED.
Barbara feels that all of her students are capable of success.
One of her students was blind and wanted to take GED classes.
Barbara read GED books to the student as she taped them. She
also took GED books home to put them on tape for her student.
After a few months, the student took the GED and not only passed
but also achieved the highest score. In addition to volunteering
as a tutor, Barbara is a Literacy Council member and always
willing to help at area fundraisers and festivals.
Jim Lock, Southwestern Illinois College, Belleville
After retiring from the federal government, Jim wanted something
interesting and worthwhile to do so he volunteered as a tutor.
Jim understands the isolation a student feels when they come to
the United States unable to speak or write the language. In his
job, Jim traveled to countries where he did not know the language
or culture. The rewards are many as a tutor. Jim has seen the
pride and joy on a GED graduate’s face; a student improve in
reading to the point of reading for pleasure; another student who
felt she couldn’t learn math quickly proceed so fast he could
barely stay ahead of her. Jim also helps with Tutor Training
sessions where his enthusiasm for tutoring comes through and
encourages prospective tutors.
Teta Minuzzo, Waukegan Public Library, Waukegan
Besides being involved with the literacy program in Lake County
since 1983, she has most recently become a volunteer tutor to
share her love of reading and skills as a teacher. The students
take the first step to enter the program and she is committed to
helping them succeed and become confident in their abilities to
learn. One of the most rewarding experiences for her was to see
a young man share his love for his new bride by reading a poem at
their wedding ceremony. This was after being in the program for
just six months. To have the support of family and friends means
so much to adult learners. Now this student has a new baby
daughter which makes learning to read and write better an even
more important goal. It is inspiring to see students face their
many challenges and keep coming back, day after day, ready and
willing to continue their efforts to become better readers.
Michele Nash, Robinson Public Library, Robinson
Newly retired, Michele signed up when the local literacy program
advertised training sessions for volunteers. Michele was matched
with Hong Tran who came to this country as an adult and spoke
Chinese and French. Michele knew French and they found a common
ground. Hong’s primary goal was to obtain a drivers license.
Michele selected lessons that would reduce the language barrier
while simultaneously build on Hong’s goal. After getting his
drivers license, Michele helped Hong with his other needs by
accompanying him to doctors’ offices, banks, stores, restaurants,
etc. In essence, these were one-on-one field trips. Michele’s
most prized piece of mail was a postcard that Hong mailed her
from Vietnam. He wrote in proper English, spelling all the words
correctly.
Wolfgang Roth, Evanston Township High School, Evanston
As a retiree who as spent periods of his professional life in
Asia and Europe, the time he volunteers allows him to re-live
good memories. Wolfgang understands the needs of the students
who attend classes since English was his second language, too.
He relates well to students whether they are from Thailand and
worked on a rice paddy or a Chinese chemical engineer who
profoundly misses her child who is still in China. Wolfgang
helps his students understand and appreciate both the language we
speak and the lives we live. Even when his class load is high,
he willingly takes on a new student. He wants to give them all a
chance to speak the language they are trying so hard to master.
Karin Sconzert, Blue Gargoyle Adult Tutoring Program, Chicago
As a former middle school teacher, teaching adults as a volunteer
tutor seemed like a perfect fit for her. Her current student
never went to school and never learned to read as a child. Once
he retired, he took on the challenge of returning to school to
learn to read and write. He wants to be able to read to his
grandchildren. Karin works with him to help him reach his goals
and is inspired by his determination and spirit. She has come to
understand what people mean when they say that you get more than
you give when you volunteer.
