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Student Testimonials
“I would like to tell you now my life has changed. When I first started the literacy coalition, I didn’t think I would be going very far at all. Well it’s changed my thinking altogether, thanks to my tutor, and the people at the literacy coalition. I feel more sure of myself and I really look forward to going to class. I’m interested in science, which I didn’t do good at in grade school. I quit school in the sixth grade. I went for my GED practice test. I passed reading and science. I failed the other three. With everybody encouraging I know I’ll pass them too. My husband tells me I’ll never pass my GED because I’m too dumb. I don’t listen to him. I don’t let him or anything else stand in my way. I’ve got some wonderful people rooting for me and encouraging me. They are always telling me I can do it. I believe I can. Thank you Mary, and everyone at the literacy coalition. If it wasn’t for all of you I wouldn’t be where I’m at now. All of you are wonderful people. I know I can do it with your help.
Thank you everyone for changing my life.” I.P.
“Hi
My
name is L.T. I want to share something with you about my reading skills. At one time my reading skill was so bad that I didn’t want anyone to know. A friend told me about the literacy coalition and told me that they have tutors that would work with you one on one. So I said to myself that is just what I need. So we called them and they said come on down. We will work with you and get you going. My goal is to learn to read well. It may take time but I want to learn. It has changed my life a lot because my reading has gotten a lot better. I am reading things I never thought I could. But I still have a long way to go. My tutor really works hard to help me. She takes time with me. So my story is if you’re having a problem with reading do what I am, doing something about it. Don’t just think about it.
Sincerely yours”, L.T.
“I came after my company closed down because I needed more schooling to get a new job. I found a new job working for the county. Now I’m five years into the job, and I have a second job working for a small village.
I keep coming here because I keep on learning, and because I like the teachers and people who help me out.
Here are some of the things I have learned.
Positive Experiences:
- I enjoyed writing about my past history.
- I like going on field trips.
Goals attained:
- I got a new job.
- I can do cursive writing now.
- I can write checks.
- I use the dictionary more frequently.
Ways My Life Has Changed:
- I can do things better now than before.
- I had to depend on my wife for reading and writing, now I can do more for myself.
- Reading signs and labels helps me with my work.”
G.B.
“I came to the CCLC in the Spring of 2001 with the goal of obtaining my GED. Although I had attended high school, I dropped out after the 11th grade. I needed a math tutor because I tested at the 6th grade math skills level. I was matched with a volunteer tutor and worked twice a week for a year. I took the official practice test in the summer of 2002 and passed all sections except the writing section. I took the practice test again and passed not only the writing section but the entire test! I took the official GED test in July of 2002. In August I found out I had passed. Now that I have my GED, I hope to start college in the winter.” M.H.
“I am a mom with three children and I joined the family Teaching and Learning Center (Family TLC) in the Spring of 2000. I dropped out of high school eight years ago and was interested in obtaining my GED. I started in the Family TLC program and also began GED classes. I enjoyed the weekly Family TLC program because my children were learning to read better. I was also encouraged by the staff to continue my GED studies, and I was learning good parenting skills. I attended GED classes full time for six months before I was able to take the GED test in June of 2002. I took the test and passed! I now have gained full-time employment and am looking to continue my education. I am still attending the weekly Family TLC program to continue to learn new things.” S.D.
“I came to the literacy center in October of 2000. I had moved here with my husband from China. I was expecting our first child in December. I spoke very little English. I was matched with a tutor to work on my English. I then had my son so I took a break. My son was about 6 months old when I returned and I started attending English classes as well as work one on one with a tutor. I am now attending the Family English class every Tuesday with my son who is 2. Now I can carry on conversations with people, whereas before I was not able to speak with anyone in English unless my husband could translate. I also can now go to the store all by myself. I have been able to meet many different people from all over the world in my English classes and we have become friends.” L.H.
“All my life I have hid my dyslexia and was very ashamed of it. I thought I would never find the help I needed. I remember the doctor at my kindergarten eye examination. I will never forget the look on his face as tried to figure out if I had a problem with my eyes or just could not read the eye chart. You see, when you have dyslexia the E’s get turned around and it’s hard to read a simple eye chart.
In the first grade I was tested for dyslexia. Since it is inherited and my father could not read or write it was no surprise I was diagnosed with it also. In elementary and middle school I was put in learning disability classes. Unfortunately, the classes did not focus on phonics, which is the key in helping someone with L.D., and I fell further behind. I resented the label “learning disability” and refused to be in the L.D. classes in high school, so I was put in the general education classes. I was terrified of being called on to read out loud or write on the chalkboard. I hid and did what I could to get by.
The only thing that saved me in school was sports. I was a decent runner and they were something I could look forward to.
Graduation was a difficult time and my future seemed limited because I was not able to read and write well. I was so good at hiding my dyslexia not to many people knew and just assumed I was going to college.
After high school I worked every minimum wage job in town and partied way far too much on the weekends. My parents were getting tired of my life style. I was going nowhere fast. They sat me down and told me, “You need a skill”! Since they didn’t what else to do with me they dropped me off at beauty school kicking and screaming. To this day I have no idea how I passed my state board examination but I did.
I became a hair stylist mainly because it was a career I was able to handle, I was good at it and felt comfortable with the public. I worked for twelve years as a stylist, married a wonderful man and had two beautiful children. I fooled myself into thinking I had it all but I was wrong.
I did the hardest thing I’ve done in my life I walked into the Literacy Resource Center. They first tested my reading skills. I was surprised and pleased to learn that I had an 8th grade reading level and tested out of the reading program. However, my spelling was at a 2nd grade level. The center matched me with an excellent tutor who has helped me so much. In one year my spelling score has raised two whole levels.
I feel my life has taken on a new direction. I no longer style hair instead I coach 7yh grade girls basketball and I love it! I feel it is my calling. In the off-season I stay home with my children, which I think, is the greatest job in the world.
I want to thank all the people at the Literacy Resource Center for giving me the help I desperately needed. The center does make a difference in the lives of people. I have learned that dyslexia will always be a part of me but it is not who I am. I will never again hide from the fear of being dyslexic.” L.H.
The preceding testimonies are typical of adult students who are taking advantage of the opportunity to improve their literacy skills at the CCLC. Success comes to those who commit to their own learning, keep tutoring appointments, do their homework and decide to make a change in their lives.
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