Congratulations Patricia Harlan-Marks, for receiving honorable mention on...
June 5, 2012Each Tuesday morning, in the Beginning ESL class at MLC Northside, I witness the beauty of transformation. My students arrive with such hunger – to learn, to connect, to speak, to engage,...
View ArticleCongratulations, Reika Yokooka, for receiving honrable mention on your story
June 13, 2012As I tensely walked out of the teachers’ room, my heart was most likely doing 190 BPM and my legs were trembling. I turned to the narrow hallway and headed towards the door with the sign...
View ArticleThe Shakespeare Project is featured on the radio!
June 20, 2012Check it out—the Minnesota Literacy Council was just featured on WBEZ, Chicago’s public radio station! On their website, you will find two stories: one on the changes being made to the GED...
View ArticleSummer Volunteers Needed to Tutor Adult ESL Students
June 21, 2012While public schools are out for the summer, many of the adult literacy programs are still open! Volunteers are needed at several locations around Minnesota, especially since many regular...
View Article"Volunteering is a WIN-WIN Situation" by Cele Zawicky
July 6, 2012My adult students win and so do I. Every one of us has a reason why we do this. They are here because they want to be – or need to be. Mine is to help those who have a need to learn our...
View Article"Freedom is a Gift" by Julie Hodne
July 12, 2012I asked my teacher, "Where do I start?"His response was, "From the beginning." I have taken this little epiphany with me since junior high school. The huge assignment had loomed before me,...
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July Literacy Leader: Mika Okamoto
July 13, 2012After studying at the International Education Center for two years, Mika Okamoto took on a new challenge: tutoring English to others. She has been volunteering for two and a half years now...
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August Literacy Leader: Norma Van Sickle
August 2, 2012Congratulations to this month’s literacy leader, Norma Van Sickle! Norma began volunteering eight years ago after retiring as an English teacher at Fergus Falls High School. Norma says...
View Article"I arrived in Minneapolis..." by Carla Evans
August 20, 2012I arrived in Minneapolis from the UK in November 2011, just as the winter was starting. It's fun to move somewhere new, but it is also disorientating, lonely and confidence-blowing....
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September Literacy Leader: Jack Harris
September 12, 2012 This month’s Literacy Leader Jack Harris blew me away with his eagerness and genuine passion for tutoring. Jack has made himself indispensable at the Franklin Learning Center....
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October Literacy Leader: Jim Kuhl
October 3, 2012 Congratulations to this month’s Literacy Leader, Jim Kuhl, a volunteer Citizenship tutor at the District 518 Community Education program, in Worthington. Jim recently received the...
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November Literacy Leader: Corrine Mady
November 7, 2012 Three years ago, Corrine Mady stopped by the Adult Academic Program of Robbinsdale Area Schools and looked in on a classroom of ESL students. As she stood in the door and observed the...
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Generational Differences and Volunteering: A Millennial Perspective
November 30, 2012 As I entered the room and sat down for my first GED tutor training session, I noted that I was most likely the youngest person in the room. My fellow volunteers went around,...
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December Literacy Leader: Kathy O'Connor
December 5, 2012 For over a year, Kathy O’Connor has worked as classroom assistant in Mary Pat Davini’s Computer Basics class at Goodwill Easter Seals. According to Mary Pat, however, Kathy is more...
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January Literacy Leader: Rick Wriskey
January 10, 2013Congratulations to Rick Wriskey, our January Literacy Leader and recipient of the Outstanding Volunteer-Honorable Mention award in 2012! Rick’s interest in volunteering was first...
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February Literacy Leader: Mary Gilbertson
February 7, 2013We would like to congratulate Mary Gilbertson of Open Door Learning Center - Arlington Hills as our February Literacy Leader! Mary started volunteering as a teacher at Arlington Hills...
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March Literacy Leader: Chris Montgomery
March 8, 2013 Every week for four days a week, Chris Montgomery arrives at the Open Door Learning Center - Rondo an hour early to work one-on-one with students before class begins. Then he assists in...
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April Literacy Leader: Cletus Maychrzak
April 10, 2013 Our April Literacy Open Door Learning Center - North Side Leader, Cletus Maychrzak, is well-known to every student at the learning center. In the two years since Cletus started...
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May Literacy Leader: Mandy Cardinal
May 2, 2013 In honor of National Volunteer Week this month, we would like to recognize Mandy Cardinal, a very special literacy volunteer from our Open Door Learning Center - Northeast. Since Mandy...
View ArticleAnnouncement of the Winners of the Volunteer Story Contest!
May 6, 2013We are pleased to announce that Pat Harlan-Marks of Open Door Learning Center - Northside, Janet Skeie of Harmony Learning Center, and Cori Mallott of Neighborhood House are our winners for...
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