Please bring your ideas, questions, and tutor resources to share with others during this informal round table discussion. Delicious snacks are included.
Lisa Vernon, Executive Director
Lisa Vernon, Executive Director
Last year 216 adults and out-of-school youth received free literacy and math tutoring. As student coordinator, I support these students from when they first contact the Literacy Council through when they accomplish their personal literacy goals and exit the program.
A few of the student goals achieved this spring:
“I have been waiting for this recognition all of my life.”
The first thing you notice about Johnny George is the warmth of his smile and how very easy it is to strike up a conversation with him. After serving in the army during the Vietnam era and completing a successful 37-year career with Baltimore Gas and Electric, Johnny could well have rested on his laurels during his retirement. Instead, he’s seized the opportunity to sharpen his literacy skills by working with Anne Arundel County Literacy Council tutor Ray Davis.
Because Johnny left his North Carolina high school before graduation to join the army, he never received a diploma. Yet his quick intelligence enabled him to learn how to handle big equipment while he was in the service. He then went on to work with various trucking companies before spending most of his career at BGE.
Yet all the while Johnny yearned to finish his education and earn a GED. With some encouragement from Pauline, his wife of 40 years, Johnny reached out to the Literacy Council and was matched with his tutor Ray. After two years of working together, Ray was so impressed by Johnny’s progress in improving his reading and writing skills that he searched the internet and found a uniquely meaningful way to honor his pupil. His online hunt revealed that an honorary diploma program existed for veterans–and that Johnny qualified.
When Johnny eventually received this honorary high school diploma he was thrilled: “I had been waiting for this [recognition] all my life!” But now he’s set himself a new goal. Like so many of us, Johnny’s eager to polish his technology skills and has turned to Ray to help him master such computer tasks as emailing and word processing.
Thirty six new tutors were trained in April and are now ready to be matched with students. What a great looking tutor class! Please give them a warm welcome. A BIG “Thank you” goes out to Jill Mischo – tutor training coordinator, Anita Ewing – tutor coordinator, as well as trainers Sarah Gardner, Phil Tawes, Suzy Ochs, Emily Clements, Christine Harrison, Bonnie Wright, Joanne Dement, Perinaaz Gandhi, Lynette Delprete, and Al Odierno for an excellent training.
A Follow On training workshop for both new and current tutors is scheduled for May 21 from 9:00 am – noon in the Founders Room at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church in Severna Park.
Volunteers and students, make sure to reserve seats for both you and your family for our 2016 Appreciation Dinner on May 19th. We will have lively entertainment, a delicious buffet, and an inspiring program that you won’t want to miss! RSVPs are requested by May 9th.
Best regards,
Lisa Vernon, Executive Director
Anne Arundel County Literacy Council
301-523-6750 (cell)
Lisa Vernon, Executive Director
February was a very productive month for the Literacy Council. Activities included tutor/student recruitment at the North County, Crofton, and Brooklyn Park libraries; a well attended math workshop led by Larry Smith: February 22/March 8 tutor-training preparations for our class of 36 new tutors, including the completion of student assessments for their tutor/student matches; and the fine-tuning of our new AACLC database as well as the initial training for data entry. A tremendous thanks goes out to the team of volunteers who made this progress possible through their hard work, time, and talents.
Warmest Regards,
Lisa Vernon
410-269-4419 (office)
410-798-0408 (home)
Executive Board member Tom Vernon
Tom Vernon exemplifies the incredible Literacy Council volunteers who share their time, talents, and funds in support of our tutors and students throughout the year.
Tom’s behind-the-scenes work has contributed greatly to the success of the Council. He has enthusiastically served as Coorespondence Secretary on the Literacy Council Executive Board for the past three and a half years.
Tom is also the first to arrive and the last to leave for every event, conscientiously working to ensure that things run smoothly. In addition, he gives critical help throughout the year by generously sharing his skills and talents to meet any technical need that arises. It is volunteers like Tom who help us to successfully expand our free literacy program in Anne Arundel County.
