Matthew Gallagher Joins Our Staff
In March, Matthew Gallagher, Literacy Council tutor and trainer, joined our staff as an ESL Student Coordinator.
Matt grew up in the suburbs of Washington, DC, where he lives today. He graduated from Iona College in New Rochelle, New York.
Matt taught in schools in New York and Washington, DC, before starting work with the American Red Cross, during which he worked at the national, regional, and local offices. He also did earthquake relief in the former Soviet Republic of Armenia for five months. While at the Red Cross, Matt was an instructor in various health and disaster preparation courses.
In 2001, Matt returned to Maryland. He earned his Master’s Certificate in Government Contracting from George Washington University and has worked as a contracting officer for various government departments, including the Library of Congress.
Matt has been an ESL instructor at St. Mary’s Church in Annapolis since 2018. He started with the AACLC in 2024 as an ESL tutor and is very happy to be a part of such a wonderful organization.
Welcome, Matthew!
Literacy Council Appreciation Dinner
Thursday, May 1, 6 – 8 pm
Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, Severna Park
A celebratory gathering and buffet dinner for tutors and their students.
Please RSVP by April 18.
FREE for students, tutors & guests
The Literacy Council’s volunteer body includes people living in the county and outside it, married couples, neighbors, former colleagues, retirees, and working men and women.
Our volunteers are:
- tutors who helped students pass the citizenship test, get a driver’s license, register to vote, read to their children, earn a high school diploma, sign up for a library card and use it, get a better job, pass the ASVAB test to enter the U.S. military, and much more.
- a team of people who welcome, assess, and assist students receiving our services.
- people who train and coordinate with our tutors.
- the great folks who manage everything from student progress tracking to reporting, governance, and resources.
- and people who help out at events like our book fair.
Volunteers come to Literacy Council work in various ways, but they all have one thing in common: a desire to make a difference in someone’s life in the communities where we live.
“We cannot measure our impact in numbers — we can only measure it a life at a time.” — Isabel Allende
Thank you for volunteering!
For easy access to ProLiteracy training and instructional webinars, visit ProLiteracy’s YouTube Channel, where you can watch at your convenience. The YouTube Channel is searchable and offers videos on all subject areas…
- Using phonics to improve reading and engagement regardless of student reading level.
- Developing vocabulary: effective strategies for adult English learners.
- How to write a great GED extended response.
- Landing the job: preparing learners for applying and interviewing.
- And much more!
Happy Women’s History Month! Did you know? The Literacy Council was first started in 1977 when six women in Glen Burnie realized there was a need for local adult literacy tutoring.
Today, the majority of our volunteers are women. The same is true of our students.
In March, please take a moment to think about and celebrate everything women do at the Literacy Council and in our communities and beyond to make the world a better place for all.
Facebook Group for Tutors is Active
The Literacy Council has started a Facebook Group for AACLC Tutors to share ideas, resources, and solutions.
The group is titled “AACLC Tutors.” Tutors are invited to search for it on Facebook and ask to join. The group is moderated by AACLC staff and volunteers. This is a private group, and there are ground rules about privacy and courtesy. For more information, look us up on Facebook.
The Literacy Council will continue its informational, public Facebook page at facebook.com/AACLC.
