Last year I was privileged to become part of Arkansas' NextStep Literacy Lab project. The project is a statewide process to enhance Literacy in Arkansas. I found it to be an amazing workshop. I have always loved to read but I found myself reading young adult books and they were AMAZING.
As I started thinking about literacy efforts at my school and again I was privileged to be a Career and Technical Teacher in the realm of Literacy. I became enthralled with it and decided to get a second masters degree in Literacy K-12. I have completed 12 hours so far in this program and it has been the greatest learning experience I have ever had in my life.
I find everywhere I go I look for literacy. Last week I was at the doctor's office getting a check-up. The office was updating records and everyone needed to fill out new patient forms. I filled out my Mother's form (which I am used to these days). One young woman they called to the window replied to the receptionist, "I can't read this, I need someone to help me fill this out." The receptionist replied, "Is there someone at home that can do this for you and you can bring it back tomorrow." I was playing games on my Blackberry but inside I felt my heart melting. Someone in this day and time that couldn't read. This woman wasn't an elderly woman. She returned to her seat where she was sitting with her daughter. She mentioned several times that she couldn't fill out the form.
I finally got up and walked to the lady, explained I was a teacher and asked if I could fill the form out for her. She was grateful and we completed the form. She had everything written on a piece of paper. She couldn't even recite her own address. She had to pretend she was dialing the phone to give me a contact number. She was 39 years old....What became even sadder was her daughter who had just finished the fifth grade couldn't complete the form or even partially either. She shared with me that she didn't read "good" either. I explained to her and the mother to go to Wal-Mart and buy a "Junie B" book. I felt that would be a good place for her to start. I asked her to read to her mother and with her mother. I also explained that with reading came knowledge.
My heart still broke as I went on to my appointment. I keep thinking what 39 year old doesn't know how to do anything buy sign her name. What to me was even sadder was the daughter going into the 6th grade was a struggling reader and would probably end up the same way unless some major interventions are done.
As I contemplate this situation, I reflect on a major grant for upgrading literacy and libraries awarded to several schools in my state. The money is mostly going to be used in elementary schools. According to Vacca, 60% of our adolescents in America can't read. And these are the people that hold our future.
HELLLLOOOOO!!!!! Any politicians out there! I can read, you can read, but what about a 39 year old woman that cannot even help her child with her school work. And chances are that child will fall through the cracks just like her mother.
If educators can take just one student to the world of literacy it would be worth it all....But if we can put funds into middle and high school literacy we can help create those productive citizens that become successful for life.
About Me
- Ms. Owers
- Blytheville, Arkansas
- I am a 45 year old Career and Technical teacher that is currently completing the requirements for a second masters degree. I wish to get a MS in Literacy K-12. I originally was going to try for National Board Certification but I felt I would have more opportunity to help students in Literacy. I love teaching more than any profession I have ever tried. My students are like chocolates....most of them sweet but all are unique.
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2 comments:
To kearn that most funding is allocated at the elementary level was very concerning indeed. I remember reading the article by Vacca and thinking....."what about the students that are in ms and hs?" Where's the assistance for them?" While we certainly want to build a strong foundation for our elementary students we cannot leave those students who are already in the middle and high school levels without assistance. These are our citizens of tomorrow.....parents of tomorrow, and we need to do all we can to assist them in becoming life long learners, and productive members in our society as well.
Wow...you really got me going here!
:)
ML
Hi Janice, I was very interested reading your post about Arkansas' NextStep Literacy Lab project, and how the format compares to our course work. I absolutely agree with you - the interaction and support and content of the courses I have taken thus far have been tremendous. I really did not know what to expect walking into an on-line program. I will admit that even I was a little doubtful about the value of what I would take away in terms of truly enhancing and improving my teaching. Sadly, many of my own colleagues and even family members have let it be known that they don't hold on-line learning in high esteem. However, I am sold on UNE and the on-line Masters program. I love being able to go to class when the time is right for me. I'm often up working and commenting either late at night or at dawn. I have learned so much, especially from the thoughtful and insightful interaction with educators all over the world from all walks of life. I hate sitting in all day workshops listening to someone pontificate on their subject of expertise no matter how knowledgeable they appear to be. Keep writing, Janice, you're ideas are clearly stated and your comments always make me look at things from a different angle. True learning and collegiality comes from stepping out of ourselves and looking through another lens. Let me know if you can read my blog - Karen used a different email than the UNE one, so I just went back and entered that one to my readers list.
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