Tutors Perinaaz Gandhi and Susann Felton
Perinaaz Gandhi and Susann Felton are two remarkable women who exemplify the talent and dedication of our Literacy Council volunteer tutors. Perinaaz is a PhD scientist and Susann is a recently retired MBA executive. They both enrolled in our Fall 2014 tutor training, then began tutoring for the Council in January 2015 as part of our out-of-school Youth Health Works program.
The 19 youth in this program were seeking their GED’s, which required reading, writing, math, social studies and science instruction from the 35 tutors who volunteered for this project. Both Perinaaz and Susann poured themselves into helping these youth, volunteering for up to 4 afternoons a week from January through June.
Since last June they have each tutored students of all ages, volunteering wherever there is a need. In July they began team tutoring an out-of-school youth seeking his GED, with Perinaaz teaching science and Susann teaching math. They collaborate on their tutoring sessions through case notes and weekly conference calls to assure that their lessons are mutually supportive, and even substitute for each other when conflicts arise to maintain continuity.
Team tutoring is one example of how our extraordinary tutors and the Literacy Council are meeting the literacy needs for Anne Arundel County out-of-school youth and adults.
Front row, left to right: Laurel Clark, Anita Ewing, Barbara Farrell
Back row, left to right: Jill Mischo, Barbara Stern, Lisa Houser, Michele Kenlon, Anne Haas, Jo-Anne Foster, Lisa Vernon
Our first mini tutor training for teachers was held on January 7, 2016. What an incredible group of new tutors! A big “Thank you!” goes out to Jill Mischo, our Tutor Training Coordinator, and Anita Ewing, our Tutor Coordinator, for their dedication and hard work in refining and expanding our volunteer tutor training program.
Christine Harrison, AACLC Database Administrator
Christine Harrison, our Database Administrator, has made significant improvements in communication and support for our tutors and students this past year, while also improving the reporting of tutor hours and goals tracking. Results to share for 2015:
Student achievements – which represent significant progress on the part of the student, and may serve as incremental steps toward achieving high level goals – were tracked for the first time this year.
Student achievements reported by tutors in 2015 include:enhanced comprehension, improved conversational skills and increased self-confidence; the ability to read newspapers, mail and signage; reading for pleasure and reading to others; the ability to sign documents in cursive; the ability to communicate competently with teachers and public officials; the receipt of recognition for improved performance at work (including monetary recognition); and many, many others.
We can also report some very significant achievements from our student-tutor matches during 2015:
2 students obtained a driver’s license
11 students improved scores on standardized tests
We look forward with confidence that our students will achieve even greater successes in 2016. As Robert Browning stated “…the best is yet to be…”
From left to right: Assessor Coordinator Emily Clements, Student Coordinator JoAnn Cook, and Assessor Trainer Judy Smallwood
Date: Saturday, February 6, 2016
Time: 12 noon to 3:00 pm
Location: Eastport-Annapolis Neck Library
269 Hillsmere Drive, Annapolis (near Quiet Waters Park)
This training is for both new and current assessors. If you plan to attend, please RSVP Emily Clements at emm.gillespie@gmail.com.
Great opportunity! Our next 2 day tutor training is scheduled for March 26 & April 6 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church in Severna Park, and will include both Basic Literacy and English Language Learner instruction.
We have a class size limit of 35. If you, or someone you know, would be interested in attending this training, please email Anita Ewing at ewing400@gmail.com, or call 410-269-4419 as soon as possible to reserve a seat.
Lisa Vernon, Executive Director
Happy New Year to all our wonderful supports, volunteers, and community!
You will want to grab your calendar! Our next literacy tutor training is scheduled for March 26 and April 9 from 9:00-4:00 pm at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church in Severna Park. If you have a love for reading, are a life-long learner, and want to make a positive difference in another person’s life and in your community, this training is for you. CLICK HERE for more information on this tutor training.
There will also be an assessor training on February 6 from noon to 3:00 pm at the Eastport-Annapolis Neck library. This training is appropriate for both new and current assessors. CLICK HERE for more information about the Assessor Training.
RSVPs are required for both trainings.
Best regards,
Lisa Vernon, Executive Director
Anne Arundel County Literacy Council
301-523-6750 (cell)
This site has an incredible collection of free teacher resources, including help for reading comprehension, ESOL, spelling, vocabulary, language experience, and tips for adult literacy tutors. Please check it out!
Jill Mischo
Jill Mischo – educator, tutor, assessor, and trainer for the Literacy Council since 2013, has been selected to be our new Tutor Trainer Coordinator. Jill will oversee our training program and tutor workshops.
Emily Clements
Emily Clements, who has been a Literacy Council assessor and tutor since 2013, has been selected as our Assessment Coordinator. Emily will make arrangements for student assessments and will assist JoAnn Cook, our Student Coordinator, with assessor trainings.
Megan Jackson, AACLC Treasurer
Megan Jackson has been our Executive Board Treasurer since 2010, and a Literacy Council volunteer since 2004. Her outstanding character and excellent accounting skills have been critical to our success as an organization, and we are very fortunate to have her on our Literacy Council team.
Megan brings a wealth of accounting experience to her duties as Literacy Council Treasurer, including twenty plus years of experience providing financial management and professional accounting support to a national non-profit organization in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
