Eirly and tutor Monica Hawse
Eirly, who contacted the AACLC last spring because she wanted to sharpen her literacy skills, brings a lifetime of experience to her reading sessions with her tutor Monica. Eirly is not only a mother of four and grandmother to nine; she is also a great-grandmother four times over.
Monica enjoys the personal stories and life lessons that Eirly has shared with her. From her vantage point of 74 years, Eirly knows herself well: “I am a go-getter and don’t let anything defeat me. You need to pick up what you have in life (both good and bad) and walk with it.”
Monica reports that Eirly makes continuous progress in their tutoring sessions, completing not only her assigned homework, but new lesson exercises, too. Monica is delighted by Eirly’s always-positive attitude. When Eirly reads aloud, for example, she becomes so immersed in the story’s characters that she cheers them on, exclaiming, “Bless you, Tom!” or “Don’t do that, dear … ”
In short, this tutoring pair not only respects and admires each other; they laugh a lot, too!
We are so proud of our students and their tutors for the remarkable milestones they’ve achieved this summer.
- 4 students passed the GED exam.
- 1 student qualified for entry into the National External Degree program.
- 2 students enrolled in AACC classes.
- 1 student registered to vote.
- 25 students advanced a level in their curriculum series.
- 1 student was promoted to sergeant at his security job.
- 1 student was able to read a menu and comparison shop for the first time!
- Several students obtained library cards and checked out books for their children for the first time.
- 1 student passed his driver license exam.
Student testimony:
Comment from student Johnetta Jones to her tutor Pete Schanck: “I want to thank you for your help and encouragement. Not just with math, but with everything. I have confidence in myself again and know that I can do anything I set my mind to.”
2017 Fall Tutor Training
Thirty new volunteers participated in our 2017 Fall Tutor Training. What a great tutor class! These new tutors are now being matched with students throughout the county. A tremendous “Thank you” also goes out to Tutor Training Coordinator Jill Mischo who led the training, along with trainers Anita Ewing, Dr. Perinaaz Gandhi, Susann Felton, Bob and Mary Ann Stoner, Jane Seiss, JoAnn Cook, Emily Clement, Bob Mondor and Shirley Theimer.
Tutor Follow-On Workshop
Saturday, November 4th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Our next tutor workshop will be held at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church on November 4th. Valuable tutor resources will be shared from experienced math and literacy tutors, and student challenges will be addressed. Both new and experienced tutors are encouraged to attend.
— Mark Your Calendars and Make Plans to Attend —
Alex Mann, a correspondent for The Capital Gazette Style magazine wrote a very nice article Sunday (9/24/17) about our new math tutoring program. If you haven’t read it yet, click the title:
and see why we’re so excited to get this kind of exposure.
Maryland has 1,000 adults who have passed all sections of the GED except math. Our 45 volunteer math tutors are addressing this real need by meeting these adults in coffee shops and libraries across the county to provide free, targeted math instruction so they can pass the math section and earn their GED.
If being a math tutor sounds appealing, CLICK HERE for more information.
If you know of a student needing this kind of math tutoring, CLICK HERE to refer a student.
Tutor Angelia Shields and Chenel Moore
My math student, Chenel Moore, went to Anne Arundel Community College today and registered for College Algebra. That was the goal that Chenel and I set – keeping in mind that she had to be algebra-ready to take the class and feel confident that she could do well in it.
We’ve spent hours at Glen Burnie Library and Panera Bread-Glen Burnie preparing for this moment. While we were preparing, we formed a wonderful friendship where she knows that I have her back, not just with math, but with anything. And, I told her in the very beginning that she will say math is fun when we are done, so we’re working toward that goal. We had some goal-based incentives we reached and we celebrated when we reached them. She’ll be confident and prepared. It was a huge step for her to pay that money today and have confidence in herself to register.
My heart is full because I know that we made a difference in Chenel’s life. She couldn’t afford a math tutor and college, and it’s because of AACLC that she didn’t have to choose.
~ Tutor Angela Shields
Student Jessia Fumando and tutor John Carley
Since April, John has been tutoring Jess twice a week at a local library. Despite juggling three jobs, Jess is committed to finding time for her academic studies. Although she has faced many difficulties while working towards her high school diploma, Jess stresses that “as long as you’re committed, it is possible.”
Jess’s childhood was difficult. “I grew up in foster care, in group homes, and was passed around for most of my school years” Jess explains. “My stability ended when I was thirteen, so school ended for me when I was around eleven or twelve years old.” When she became an adult, “School was not a priority” she explained. “When I was seventeen years old, I had my own apartment and I had to pay for it. Work was my priority.”
In the following years, Jess moved several times. She eventually decided to get a high school diploma, so she signed up for a virtual classroom. She passed all of her classes, received her diploma, and was told by the school that she was a high school graduate.
When Jess moved to Maryland, she started classes at a local college. However, she soon realized that the school was not giving her all of the financial aid she expected. When she discussed the problem with college administrators, she received an unexpected shock. “They said the diploma that I brought to them was not accredited. I had to go get my GED in order to receive financial aid.”
Not discouraged, Jess set about studying for her GED. She began attending group GED classes but said that the teaching style and group environment did not work well for her. It was at this point that Jess reached out to the Anne Arundel Literacy Council.
Jess has enjoyed having John as a tutor, saying he is “great” and appreciates the individual attention she gets during one-on-one tutoring. “I can say specifically ‘I’m not understanding this.'” she explains. “Then he can break it down for me in a different way so I’m able to understand.”
-Written by Trevor Stern
Tutor Sharon Jollie
Life often throws “curve balls” at us or we are faced with circumstances that lead us down a path. When that happens we are forced to make choices and navigate our paths. Maybe because I moved a lot as a child and had lived in 22 homes by the time I was 27 I felt a calling to teach and work with people to improve their situations. I don’t know exactly why I pursued education but eventually, it led me down a path of teaching math, obtaining a master’s degree in adult education, and recently volunteering as a math tutor for the Literacy Council of AA county.
My path converged with a lovely 32-year-old woman who had not been able to complete high school, had married and had three children, battled with some health issues, but made the decision to become a model for her children by working to complete the last portion of the GED test – MATH. We worked together for several weeks and she decided to take the test. She missed passing by 1 point. But, because she was a patient, capable, and a determined woman she continued to meet with me. We decided to work through the algebra and geometry sections at a slower pace and work for understanding.
The day came once again when she would take the test and this time she passed the math portion with a strong score. She had conquered. She had pushed that obstacle to the side and walked away with pride for her accomplishment. I received the text with the news and literally shouted “Wahoo!” to my living room. I was proud of what we had accomplished as a team. I miss her. We had a friendship developing, but I also know there is another person who might benefit from the program so likely our paths will diverge.
To my first student…..I am proud of you! I wish you continued success. I think you are a wonderful mother and wife and I wish you only good things on the next path you choose to follow.
-Sharon Jollie
Student Deborah Bias with her Laubach Way to Reading 3 Certificate
Each class makes a difference, as Deborah Bias, tutor Jill Mischo’s hardest working pupil, can attest. Bias went 51 years without the ability to read.
“My friend here taught me how to read and write,” Bias said with a smile as she put her arm around Mischo. “I catch the bus Mondays and Wednesdays to the Lighthouse and I met Jill there. I didn’t know what she looked like, but I saw her smile and I knew that had to be her.”
Bias started with the first Laubach book, learning words like bird and fish. In four months, Mischo guided her through that and onto the second book, and tougher vocabulary including father, skirt, and curtains. Bias uses flashcards to help memorize the terms and takes home stories that are assigned reading.
“Deborah takes the story home, and she’ll read it to her son and to herself,” Jill noted. “I’m thrilled because she works so hard. It’s a joy every session.”
-Written by Zach Sparks
Bob Laubach and Lisa Vernon
Please grab your calendars and reserve Saturday, October 7th from 8:30 – 11 a.m. for our Second Annual Literacy Council Walkathon.
“Literacy Lights the Way” is again the theme for the walkathon, which is open to all and will be held on the beautiful B & A Trail between Marley Station Mall and Jumpers Hole Road in Glen Burnie.
Free snacks, prizes, and fun for the entire family! We hope you will join us. Dress yourself, your children, and/or your leashed pets as your favorite book character to compete for prizes.
The $25 registration ($10 for Literacy Council students and free for all youth 16 years of age or younger) includes a commemorative t-shirt.
Please also take a moment to “meet” several of our tutors and students in other posts on this blog. Their passion and determination to succeed is inspirational and beautifully illustrates why we do what we do at the Literacy Council.
Kind regards,
Lisa Vernon, Executive Director
Lisa Vernon, Executive Director
Anne Arundel County Literacy Council
301-523-6750 (cell)
director@aaclc.org
2016 Literacy Lights the Way Walkathon
“Literacy Lights the Way”
5K walkathon
Saturday, October 7 from 8:30 to 11 a.m.
From left to right: Bob Stoner, Anita Ewing, Wendell Williams, and Mary Ann Stoner at the 2016 Walkathon
Free snacks! Prizes!
Leashed Pets Welcome.
The Anne Arundel County Literacy Council will hold its second annual “Literacy Lights the Way” 5K walkathon on Saturday, October 7 from 8:30 to 11 a.m. We hope you will join us! Last year’s walkathon – our first – was a great success. We want to increase the number of participants this year, which marks the 40th anniversary of the Literacy Council.
We will walk on the beautiful B&A Trail between Marley Station Mall and Jumpers Hole Road in Glen Burnie. You are encouraged to dress as your favorite book character to compete for prizes!
- $25 registration (includes a commemorative t-shirt)
- $10 registration fee for Literacy Council students and all youth 16 and under (includes t-shirt)
