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LR/RI produces a bulletin roughly every two weeks in order to inform area practitioners of news, events, and calls for participation and also as a forum for posing questions, issues and discussion topics. The current bulletin is posted below. To read previous bulletins, go to Bulletin Archives.October 17, 1997 Bulletin #23 Dear Colleagues, This bulletin contains a number of employment opportunities and information about sharing sessions, program updates, and coming events. Please contact LR/RI if you have information to post in the bulletin. Thanks.
Janet Isserlis ____________________________________________________________ NOTICES OCTOBER TECHNOLOGY SESSIONS CONTINUE Computer training sessions are being held on Wednesdays this month at the Swearer Center for Public Service at 25 George Street, Providence from 8:30 to 10 AM and/or from 5 to 7 PM. Please come to learn what you need to know about word processing, email or the internet. Additional times can be arranged upon request. For more information, please contact LR/RI. DISCUSSION GROUPS, SHARING SESSIONS Beginning last spring, and continuing into the fall, sharing sessions have been held for practition ers with an interest in ESOL, intergenerational learning, learning disabilities and general adult education practice. The Literacy Assistance Center in New York holds a monthly practitioners writing group, described as an "opportunity for teachers, program man agers, counselors and others to focus on their own writing, professional or personal." Practitioners are invited to meet monthly to "write, share, and give feedback in a supportive environment." Anyone? Sharing/discussion group for educators with an interest in learning disabilities Our next meeting is scheduled for Friday, October 24th at 3 PM, at the International Institute of Rhode Island, 645 Elmwood Avenue, Providence. Please join us as we continue our conversations about and explorations into access to learning about LD - both in terms of practice and policy. Sharing/discussion group for educators interested in women's issues
in adult education
SHARING SESSION - Intergenerational Literacy Meeting for intergenerational literacy practitioners will be held on Tuesday, October 21, at the International Institute of Rhode Island at 3:00 PM. Please come to share information about your programs, questions, concerns and your interest in intergenerational literacy learning around the state. The next planning meeting for the intergenerational literacy conference will be held on Tuesday, October 28, also at 3:00 PM at IIRI. Everyone is invited to participate in ongoing planning for the conference to be held in January. For information about the conference, please contact Terri Coustan at 351-4252.
The Family Writing Center at the Providence Public Library will start another cycle of programs at seven branch libraries (Knight Memorial, Washing Park, South Providence, Smith Hill, Olneyville, Mt. Pleasant and Rochambeau) this month. These classes are designed to be a first step introduction to literacy and to the resources available at libraries to adult learners and their families (ESOL or ABE). Classes are free with an open enrollment policy. Students can register the first day they attend class. For more information, please contact Louise Moulton at 455-8041 or 455-8066.
Education Workshops Sponsored by the Howard R. Swearer Center for Public Service at Brown University Fall 1997 The following workshops are free and open to the public. Lesson Planning Tuesday, October 21, 7:00 to 9:00 pm, Sayles 105, on the Main Green Teaching Basic Literacy Thursday, October 23, 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Petteruti Lounge, Faunce House on the Main Green Teaching Reading - First Steps Monday, October 27, 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Sayles 105, on the Main Green Teaching Reading - Moving On Monday, November 17, 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Sayles 105, on the Main Green
Connecting Practitioners to Research - An Introduction to NCSALL and the PDRN David Hayes presents an introduction to NCSALL and its efforts to link research and practice through the Practitioner Dissemination and Research Network (PDRN). The 60-75 minute presentation will highlight current NCSALL research, results of practitioner focus groups recently conducted in Rhode Island and seven other states on the theme of connecting research and practice, and the development and function of the PDRN/RI. A discussion on NCSALL and ways in which the PDRN can facilitate meaningful connections between practitioners and research will follow. The presentation will be offered on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 2:00 PM, and Friday, Oct. 24 at 6:00 PM at the Howard Swearer Center for Public Service at Brown University, 25 George St., Providence. Anyone wishing to attend should contact David Hayes, NCSALL Rhode Island Practitioner Leader, at (401) 331-9261 or by email at PDRN RI@aol.com for more information. (Please note the NCSALL Practitioner Dissemination and Research Network in Rhode Island's new email address. Email for David Hayes at the PDRN may now be sent to: PDRNRI@aol.com Mail sent to the old address, DHayes@ aol.com, will still be received.) EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY - Computer Instructor for Literacy Volunteers of America - East Bay Funded by a grant through June 30, 1998, this instructor will work with BR/ESL adult learners and their tutors up to 14 hours per month. Hour long classes will be given by appointment on PC terminals in the four East Bay libraries: East Providence, Barrington, Warren and Bristol, using existing software. Software includes job skills, word processing, language arts games, etc. Hourly wage of $15.00. Some evening and Saturday hours required. Send resume by November 1 to Sarah Weed, Program Chair, LVA-East Bay, George Hail Library, 530 Main Street, Warren, RI 02885 or email: lvaeastbay@aol.com EVENING ESL TUTORING COORDINATOR at Genesis Center Eight hours per week, $8.00 per hour. October - May 25, 1998 (27 paid weeks, excluding 5 vacation weeks) The Genesis Center is expanding our ESOL instructional programs to evening hours again this year. We are looking for a tutoring coordinator to recruit tutors and coordinate instructional sessions two evenings per week. QUALIFICATIONS Experience tutoring/teaching - English as a second language experience preferred; Experience working with limited English proficient adults/urban minority populations; Interest in learner centered community based education. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Help recruit tutors for evening ESOL sessions at the Genesis Center, work with volunteer coordinator to schedule tutors for evening sessions, work with Adult Programs director to provide training and support to tutors, and provide on-site supervision of program Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6 to 8 PM. Interested applicants, please contact Sally S. Gabb, Director of Adult Programs, 781-6110 before October 31.
EMPLOYMENT / VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES - Progresso Latino, Central Falls English as a Second Language Instructor: Responsibilities: Planning and conducting the daily program for a group of adult learners. Teach 10 or more hours weekly, monitor and evaluate learners; plan and conduct daily activities in a classroom setting; prepare educational materials required to implement activities in class; maintain an orderly environment conducive to optimal learning; contribute to curriculum and materials development, and maintain records and reports. English as a Second Language Instructor Assistant: Responsibilities: assist ESL instructors in class; tutor students in school related work; work closely with instructors to help students during and after class; follow-up on individual attendance and class performance of students; serve as a liaison between instructors and students. For more information about either position, please contact Carlos Gonzalez at Progress Latino, 626 Broad Street, Central Falls, RI 02863; 728-5920. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES - International Institute of Rhode Island (IIRI) Volunteers are needed for office and teaching work. Office work for citizenship/ESL program: Help with student intakes, input of student records in computer, help correct tests, photocopy, type letters, file, make telephone calls, help with events as needed, 2 to 5 hours per week, times flexible. Teaching a citizenship/ESL class of adult immigrants preparing to take the US Citizenship exam. Some experience with teaching immigrant adults preferred, will train. TIME: 9 to 11 AM, any two days of the week, from October to December 20, 1997 or February to May, 1998. Please contact Nazneen Rahman, 784-4611, IIRI, 645 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI 02907. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY - ESL Family Reading Specialist Immediate opening for an ESL teachers to provide 12-15 hours of day-time multilevel instruction in a in a Family Reading Program located in the Central Falls/Cumberland area. Some coordination responsibilities. Please call or send a resume to Susan Grislis, Literacy Volunteers of Northern RI, (401) 769-9046, fax 767-4140 or email LVNRILEARN@aol.com by October 24. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY - ESL Instructor, Worker Education Program, ILSR Instructor for ESL class in intensive worker education program. The instructor will: assess adult learners; teach 5 to 10 hours weekly, monitor and evaluate learners1 progress; participate in staff development activities; contribute to curriculum and materials development, and maintain records and reports. Qualifications: experience teaching ESL to adults, familiarity with ABE and GED instruction preferred, experience working with unions a plus. Salary: $18/hour. To apply, fax resume to Jackie Anger, (401) 463-8190; Institute for Labor Studies, 99 Bald Hill Rd, Cranston, RI 02920. The Institute for Labor Studies is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer. Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply. Office of Community Services at CCRI Lincoln is offering these evening programs:
FROM ARCHIE WILLARD ON THE NLA LISTSERV: ADULT LEARNERS COALITION "On March 27th through the 29th, 1998, six adult learners who put on the adult learner workshop last August at Illinois State University are working with a few professionals in the field of literacy to have a meeting at the Highlander Center in Tennessee to form a national adult coalition. We are asking the different states that have formed state adult student organizations to become part of this coalition of adult learners, and send a representative to this meeting at the Highlander to be a part of making deci sions to form this national organization. I would encourage other states to take a look at forming a state organization of adult learners and to become a part of this. If there are large coalitions within some states they may also contact us to sent a delegate. There is only room for 40 people at the Highlander. This is a good opportunity for us to move the adult literacy field forward. Please join or support us." For more information, please contact Archie Willard at millard@netins.net, FAX - 515-448-3480, or visitArchie's website:http://207.28.234.137/archiew.html
There has recently been an opening on the National Institute for Literacy (NIFL)'s Advisory Board. At present, the board has no learner representatives, which has been a cause of concern for many in the literacy/adult education communities. Archie Willard has expressed interest in taking on the challenge of participating in the board, and has already had support from a number of people in the community. (Archie has seen this posting, so questions about his participation on the board can be sent directly to him at millard@netins.net or to me at LR/RI.) For Archie's nomination to be considered, letters must reach President Clinton as soon as possible; within the next few weeks at the latest. In addition to stressing the importance of learner participation on the Board to Clinton, you may want to mention Archie's contributions to the field specifically. Some highlights from Archie's resume: At the age of 54, long after having graduated from high school with 4th grade reading skills, and having participated fully in community activities and leadership involvement in community service organizations, politics and city council, Archie discovered his own learning difference - dyslexia. As a result of enrolling in an adult literacy tutoring program, he improved his skills to a high school reading level. Since that time, Archie has been a tireless leader, advocate and spokesperson for and with adult learners, utilizing his skills as a public speaker, teacher trainer, outreach and recruitment worker, and motivation. He recently completed a fellowship in leadership training for adult learners with NIFL and is knowledgeable about learning disabilities, understanding teaching techniques, testing for learning disabilities, the challenges facing adult non-readers and methods non-readers use to mark illiteracy. He is currently Adult Literacy Coordinator of Iowa Central Community College, is on the Iowa Literacy Council, the Planning Committee of the Iowa Adult Literacy Congress, the Iowa Central Community College Literacy Advisory Council, and the Adult Learner Leadership Academy of America. He is active in the Orton Dyslexia Society, the Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Advisory Committee and the Iowa Program for Assistive Technology Committee. Recent honors and awards include the Learning Disabilities Association of Iowa Community Service Award, the Learning Disabilities Association of Iowa President's Award for Service and Support and the Orton Dyslexia Society, Iowa Branch, Award in Leadership. In addition, Archie has also traveled with a delegation looking at how Russia, Estonia and the Czech Republic deal with learning disabilities. Archie has launched a very useful website (http://207.28.234.137/archiew.html ), including information about learning disabilities, his own story and those of others. For a more complete look at Archie's résumé, please contact LR/RI. I encourage you to support Archie's candidacy for the NIFL Board; his is a voice that speaks from experience with and for many of the adult learners for and with whom we do our work.
REGIONAL CONFERENCES (For information on the following, please contact LR/RI.)
LITERACY WORKS! Sharing Resources - Building Connections: Burlington, VT. Pre-conference workshop on Learning Disabilities and Family Literacy 11/16; and 11/17 - general workshops. Deadline for 11/16 registration($55/day; $95/2 days): October 16; full conference, November 3. Voter Education, Registration and Action (VERA) Institute: COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION: From literacy to action. December 6, Northern Essex Community College, 9:30 to 4:30. Free of charge; registration is limited to 60 on a first come - first-served basis.
from previous issues:
Reports available Welfare Reform and the Employment Prospects of AFDC Recipients and The Impact of Welfare Reform on AFDC Recipients in Los Angeles County: Limited Skills Mean Limited Employment Opportunities are two timely reports available at no charge from the Milken Institute for Job and Capital Formation. To receive a copy of the reports, please contact Alec R. Levenson, Ph.D, Milken Institute (http://www.mijcf.org),1250 Fourth Street, Second Floor Santa Monica, CA 90401 Telephone: (310) 998-2646 Fax: (310) 998-2626/998-2627, email: levenson@mijcf.org
Workshops available - During the past few years I've worked with a team of women from around Canada, through the Canadian Congress for Learning Opportunities for Women, on Making Connections: Literacy and EAL Curriculum from a Feminist Perspective. The curriculum was developed for learners in basic education and English language programs. A series of workshops have been developed and are available to anyone in the area with an interest in learning more about incorporating the curriculum and its approaches into their own work. Please contact me (Janet) at LR/RI for more information and/or to schedule a workshop. Information about the curriculum is also available online at http://www.nald.ca/canorg/cclow/EAL.HTM. While the cost of the curriculum document itself is $20, there is no charge for the workshops.
For the teacher sharing session on Thursday, July 10, these brief articles were reviewed: Cross-Cultural Issues in Adult ESL Literacy Classrooms, (http://www.cal.org/ncle/digests/CROSS_CULTURAL.HTML) Race and Gender in Adult Education, http://coe.ohio-state.edu/cete/ericacve/docs/race-gen.htm and Adult Eduction: Social Change or Status Quo? http://coe.ohio-state.edu/cete/ericacve/docs/dig176.htm You can link to the articles at the URLs above, or contact LR/RI for hardcopies.
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