Literacy News
DAVID SHYLOSKI HELPS LVA LEARNERS TO REALLY SEE THE PAGE
by Literacy Volunteers and Advocates on 11/26/12David Shyloski compares a lack of literacy skills to "a form of blindness."
People are forced, often unwillingly, to be in the dark.
But every Monday through Wednesday, David serves as the literacy instructor and program assistant for the first and second level Adult Basic Education classes that are held at Wardman Court. He works closely with Leitha Wilson, the lead instructor/administrator for LVA.
David says the good thing is that given the commitment of LVA instructor and tutors, "It's like teaching folks to see for the first time."
David hopes to help open up more eyes to the important work that LVA does in DC teaching people about reading, mathematics, and critical thinking once the video he has been working on is completed next month.
Ms. Wilson credits David with possessing energy, good classroom manners, and adeptness with learning technologies. All are significant assets for LVA this year. "David relates well to students and they respond to him as well," notes Ms. Wilson.
David comes to LVA from Greensboro, North Carolina where he completed his college studies. He finds that many people in DC lack the necessary literacy skills needed to make it in a bottom line society.
Due to the precedence companies now place on advanced skills, LVA learners find it increasingly difficult to be hired. Not surprisingly, David finds, many learners "may not feel that they have a voice."
Not only does LVA seek to boost the literacy levels of its learners, another important part of its mission is to advocate on behalf of the less literate citizenry of DC to the power brokers of the city.
David asserts: LVA learners pretty much "have no other place else to go" to obtain help in raising their literacy skills. "But we do not have the resources to accommodate the people that we'd like. We have a waiting list."
Meredith Osborne Joins LVA
by Literacy Volunteers and Advocates on 09/21/12"Literacy impacts every aspect of life,: insists LVA's new instructor, Meredith Osborne, who will be teaching reading classes at Wardman Court this fall.
Meredith asserts that being able to read and write matters whether you are taking the Metro, cooking a new recipe, or filling out a job application. She knows from experience the difficulties many people have in being able to read well.
Growing up, Meredith had difficulty reading. She remembers spending hours being tutored and wondering why something that came easily to many of her classmates was so difficult for her.
"But I aways loved stories," recalls Meredith. "That made me determined to learn. I was aware of the worlds that could be unlocked through reading."
Now, thanks to her perseverance, Meredith is a much better reader, so much so that she can now teach others how to overcome their own difficulties. She says her work with LVA is a learning experience in itself.
"People learn in many different ways. I have been trying to accommodate that," explains Meredith.
Meredith has a passion for education. After graduating from Ohio Wesleyan University, she spent time working as a preschool and after-school teacher. That experience sparked her interest in education which was furthered by an internship at the Supreme Court of the United States working under the curator. She led tours and conducted courtroom lectures.
Later, she worked as a museum educator at the Children's Museum in Cleveland. Now, Meredith is studying for a Master's of Arts in the Museum Education Program at George Washington University. That has led her to LVA where learners and staff alike feel fortunate to have her apply her knowledge and understanding of reading difficulties to help learners to fulfill their true potential.
HUFFINGTON POST CREDITS LVA's ROLE IN COMBATTING ILLITERACY IN DC
by Literacy Volunteers and Advocates on 08/06/12A recent Huffington Post article credits LVA for helping DC residents to overcome illiteracy and to lead more productive lives.
The article, Literacy Volunteers and Advocates Helps Battle Illiteracy In DC byEliza LaJoie, explains how LVA volunteers are helping 200 DC residents to learn how to read and write and to perform basic math better.
Special mention is made of Ms. Cheryl Pryor, our office and intake manager, and long-time instructor and tutor Scott Stafford.
Ms. Pryor is credited with providing a "sympathetic presence" that helps individuals hesitant about starting with LVA to feel more at ease about tackling their difficulties in performing basic skills.
Mr. Stafford has been a popular instructor and tutor with LVA and is currently conducting computer classes at Wardman Court on Monday nights and at LVA on Wednesday nights.
The Huffington Post article is a tribute to the hard work of LVA staff, learners, tutors, and instructors.
If anything, Ms. LaJoie's article is a reminder that more people should know about the vital work LVA performs and that they can help too. Feel free to share the article through Facebook and Twitter and please tell your family and friends about the article too. If you know someone who has trouble with basic reading, writing or math, then please let them know that LVA can help.
LVA is doing lots to help DC residents to overcome illiteracy. But in a city in which 20% of its residents lack basic literacy skills, much more work remains to be done. LVA is ready and willing to help more DC residents to improve their skills. The more people help us, the more people we can help.
