High school graduate Jessica with her tutors, John and Ruth, are pictured left to right above.
Anne Arundel Community College hosted its first high school graduation ceremony since 2019 on October 27. Three of our students walked the stage that evening and received their diplomas. A cheering group of Literacy Council tutors and staff joined in the moving celebration. The students and families were thrilled!
Jessica Whitehead was among the Literacy Council students honored at the ceremony. “I am very grateful to the Literacy Council and especially to my tutors, Ruth Hartcorn and John Wetzel, for their guidance in helping me complete the NEDP program and receive my high school diploma,” she recently said. “I am thankful to my NEDP counselor Susan Peters. This is a dream come true both for me and my family.”
Five Literacy Council students have earned their high school diplomas so far this calendar year through the GED or the NEDP (National External Diploma Program). Congratulations to all of them, and much gratitude to their wonderful tutors!
AACLC student and high school graduate Rosalyn, with some of her Literacy Council tutors
Literacy Council students, tutors, and staff recently celebrated local adult high school diploma graduates at an Anne Arundel Community College ceremony. It was a meaningful, joyous occasion for all involved. We’re sharing some photos in this month’s
Success Stories.
#GivingTuesday is November 29! If you haven’t submitted your AACLC membership donation yet and would like to, this is a great opportunity. You can donate on the
AACLC website or by check.
Thank you for being part of the Literacy Council team of volunteers and supporters — we are thankful for all you do.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Jane Seiss, Executive Director
Anne Arundel County Literacy Council
P.S. We are always accepting new students. Find out more about our programs on our website or inquire at 410-269-4419.
November 29, 2022
This year, please remember
the Anne Arundel County Literacy Council
on #GIVINGTUESDAY.
If you haven’t submitted your AACLC Membership donation and would like to, this is a great opportunity.
You can give through
OR
by check.
mail to: AACLC, P.O. Box 1303, Edgewater, MD 21037
Pictured left to right above are Diana and Beverley.
This feature was submitted by AACLC Tutor Diana Dinsick.
Well before the COVID lockdown, Glen Burnie resident Beverley Morris, now aged 70, took a courageous step. Having spoken only Jamaican patois for most of her life, she vowed to work on improving her English and reading skills. That’s when she and volunteer ESL tutor Diana Dinsick began regular meetings at the Glen Burnie Library. The duo was making progress — and then COVID struck. Tutoring sessions ground to a halt when local libraries restricted visitation. Come warm weather, though, Beverley and Diana found a solution. They set up soccer chairs in a grassy area behind the Glen Burnie library and made their own classroom. And when the library again opened to the public, Beverley was thrilled to resume a full schedule.
“I’m hungry for it,” she offers by way of explanation.
“Beverley is a trooper,” says Diana. “What I respect most about her is her thirst for education. She studies on her own and watches the news to keep informed on current affairs.”
Beverley has already learned new skills. She can text her loved ones and feels better equipped to handle everyday challenges such as medical appointments. And sometimes she surprises herself. Two years ago, upon becoming a new great-grandmother, Beverley decided she wanted to be able to read to her great-grandson. And at a recent tutoring session, Beverley picked up a children’s book. She read it aloud with very little assistance. After which, she looked up at Diana, a bemused expression on her face. “I’m reading!” she said.
On October 15, we will host a Tutor Training Workshop for new tutors interested in working with literacy, ESL, math, and high school equivalency students. The session will happen at Woods Church in Severna Park from 8:30 am until about 3 pm. Space is limited, please email Jane to inquire about attending.
See more previews on INSTAGRAM.
For more information on this year’s Book Fair on September 24, 2022, CLICK HERE.
The Literacy Council is grateful to receive a Community Support Grant to help fund our work. For more information about Community Support Grants in Anne Arundel County, visit the County’s website.
Trained tutors are invited to join us for an ESL tutoring workshop on Zoom, August 27 at 10:30 am. The purpose of this workshop is to introduce tutors to working with someone whose native language is other than English. The workshop will cover getting started with a beginning-level English speaker, using the Step Forward curriculum, and other ESL resources and guidance. To sign up, please contact Wendy Wellington, Tutor Coordinator, or Jane Seiss, Director.
On October 15, we will host a Tutor Training Workshop for new tutors interested in working with literacy, ESL, math, and high school equivalency students. The session will happen at Woods Church in Severna Park from 8:30 am until about 3 pm. Space is limited, please email Jane to inquire about attending.
