“Excellent student, highly motivated, and a self-starter” are words AACLC tutor Susann Felton enthusiastically uses to describe her student LaToya Saunders.
LaToya had to take one break in her work and also held three jobs to pay the rent and get ahead, but she persevered. We are proud to share that LaToya successfully completed the NEDP program in September of this year and earned her high school diploma! LaToya’s graduation ceremony was held at AACC on October 17, 2018.
You will want to grab your calendar and check out our upcoming tutor workshops and new ESL conversation class! If interested in any of these opportunities, be sure to set your calendar and RSVP.
Be sure to read about LaToya and Mulku, two of our inspirational students. These stories remind us of the value of our free reading, writing, math and English instruction for low-income, interested Anne Arundel County adults and why we do what we do.
Kind regards,
Lisa Vernon, Executive Director
Anne Arundel County Literacy Council
301-523-6750 (cell)
director@aaclc.org
Thanks to our incredible sponsors Koons Toyota of Annapolis, Sandy Spring Bank of Annapolis, Deale Quality Automotive, and our walkers nearly $9,000 was raised from this year’s walkathon!
A tremendous thanks also goes out to the following businesses for donating snacks and prizes for the walkers and dogs: Franklin Toys, Potbelly Sandwich Works, Dunkin Donuts, Weis Supermarket, Family Veterinary Clinic in Gambrills, and Debby Turner’s homemade dog biscuits.
Meet Gwendolyn Brown. Gwen has been working with AACLC for a few months now. When Gwen was sixteen, back in the day when there was a simple written driving test, she went as part of a class to the MVA and passed and received her license.
Fast forward several years. Gwen inadvertently let her license expire for over a year. When this happens in Maryland you need to start over in the process and take a new computerized test as well as the driving part. Gwen did not have the confidence in her reading level to feel comfortable taking the test. Things have been difficult since then and it took over ten years for her to finally build up the courage to ask for help.
Gwen and her tutor Mary Anne Stoner began studying for the exam. They sometimes met for classes at the MVA so Gwen would feel more comfortable in that environment. Gwen not only passed her test but bought a new car. The smile on her face says it all. Gwen is continuing to do well in reading and writing. She was able to accept a promotion at her job which requires her to be able to drive and instruct a crew.
Gwen keeps telling her tutor, “ I’m getting my life back”. Gwen’s new goal is to become more proficient in her reading and writing skills so she can really enjoy books. She would like to go to some author talks and eventually join a book club. Congratulations to Gwen on her many achievements!
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Hau Le immigrated from Vietnam two years ago and puts in long hours as a nail technician, often working seven days a week. She speaks Vietnamese, Japanese, and English and is a responsible and dedicated young woman, working hard to accomplish her dream of applying for jobs in the business field here in the United States. She has already made great progress since starting weekly tutoring sessions in June with tutor Suzy Donahue, including earning her driver license to operate a scooter so she can get to her job in downtown Annapolis.
Suzy’s tutoring sessions with Hau Le focuses on improving her conversational English, pronunciation, and grammar. Hau is also interested in currents events so they read and discuss news articles to improve her reading comprehension skills. In addition, Hau has learned how to navigate her healthcare website, make doctor appointments on the phone, and request bilingual assistance to speak with her health care providers.
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“Lois is a delight to tutor. She is very eager to learn and does her homework diligently. I have to persuade her not to go ahead to the next assignment, as we review words with which she has had difficulty by having her write them as I read them and then creating sentences with them.”
“I feel that the main accomplishment in the few months we have had together is her newfound joy in reading. She told me that she had read a total of two books in forty years. She now has a library card and has read two since we started and is on her third book.”
tutor Diana Campe
Lois wrote:
“It is an honor for me to have Mrs. Diana Campe as a tutor. She is one of the most patient and understanding counselors I’ve met. Mrs. Diana is always looking for different ways of teaching each time we meet. In that aspect, she helps to keep learning exciting. She also tries to make sure I achieve the lessons we’re working on before we proceed to the next chapter. When difficulties arise—and believe me they do—she explains what I need to do, but she doesn’t do the work for me. That I have to figure out for myself and that’s what I like. It’s called a challenge and that is what this program is all about.”
“I thank God for my husband who helped me sign up for this program. I thank the sponsors and everyone else who helped this program get started. I don’t know about anyone else, but this program has been and is a blessing to me. Thank you so much for all you do.”
Lois Lawrence
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“Excellent student, highly motivated, and a self-starter” are words AACLC tutor Susann Felton enthusiastically uses to describe her student LaToya Saunders.
LaToya was hired for a state government position and had just completed her probationary time when a review of her file indicated she did not have the minimum educational level. When she applied for the position she had asked if her certificate from a business school met the qualifications and the Human Resources department had said yes.
Unfortunately, that was not the case. She was given unpaid leave and told to produce a GED or High School diploma. LaToya contacted AACLC in September 2017 and was matched with tutor Susann Felton. Susann then connected LaToya with the National External Diploma Program (NEDP) while also continuing to tutor her.
LaToya had to take one break in her work and also held three jobs to pay the rent and get ahead, but she persevered. We are proud to share that LaToya successfully completed the NEDP program in September of this year and has earned her high school diploma! LaToya’s graduation ceremony will be at AACC in the Pascal Center for the Performing Arts on October 17, 2018.
