Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Monday, August 1, 2011
Volunteer Recognition
Literacy Month is just a month away, and many program's recognize volunteers then, but most program managers strive to fold in little gestures of thanks throughout the year. Here are a couple of ideas we have gleaned from other sites. More ideas are available at our Members Only Wiki. Join or renew VALF today.
STICK WITH IT Put a sticky note on a volunteer’s file saying—“Stick with it!” when a student doesn’t seem to be making progress, and the tutor is getting frustrated.
THANK YOU TREE Ask an organization with public space (the library or city hall) to host a thank you tree. Use a Christmas tree and hang cards with the picture of the volunteer with a”Thanks for Being a Tutor”. Working tutors will see they are appreciated, and the tree can attract new volunteers.
For more, become a VALF member today and check out our members only wiki.
This year you can join VALF by completing the membership form and paying via our PayPal Account.
This year you can join VALF by completing the membership form and paying via our PayPal Account.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Writing for the GED
Looking for more online tutor training options, then check out this new OTAN video on writing for the GED. The essay test is the 2nd hardest part of the GED test. Math is the first. A GED teacher working with basic reading students who are American born and former English Language Learners describes her strategies for working with adult learners, and then you get to view the process. Tutors who work individually will find ideas for adapting this technique.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Florida Schools Charging for Adult Education Classes
Starting today, school systems will be required to charge for adult basic education, GED and classes for English Language Learners. I heard NPR report this morning that students would be charged $30 and no more than $90 a year. Ronda Cooper, the Leon County Library LVA program director, told me that she expected this will feed more students into the free volunteer literacy programs.
This change was one of many passed by the Florida Legislature this spring. School systems were one of many institutions that got hit. NPR also noted that schools would also be laying off teachers this fall as state funding cuts are realized.
This will likely mean volunteer programs may have longer waiting lists or face turning away students. Waiting lists have been a hot topic on the ProLiteracy Listserve. Programs have been sharing how many students they have on the list. They also describing learning alternatives for students while waiting for a tutor. Some programs have a policy to keep their waiting lists short. What do you do? Put your comments below.
Sandy Newell, President, VALF
This change was one of many passed by the Florida Legislature this spring. School systems were one of many institutions that got hit. NPR also noted that schools would also be laying off teachers this fall as state funding cuts are realized.
This will likely mean volunteer programs may have longer waiting lists or face turning away students. Waiting lists have been a hot topic on the ProLiteracy Listserve. Programs have been sharing how many students they have on the list. They also describing learning alternatives for students while waiting for a tutor. Some programs have a policy to keep their waiting lists short. What do you do? Put your comments below.
Sandy Newell, President, VALF
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Big Changes this Weekend in Tutor Training Online Courses
ProLiteracy's site is up with online tutor training courses. Here is more context on recent changes.
If you are on the ProLitearcy Listserve you may have caught the announcement that Thinkfinity
is no longer the go-to place for online courses for tutors needing in-service or initial training on working with adult learners. If not, here is a recap.
Starting this weekend, Thinkfinity will be dedicated to only K-12 students. It will not host courses for adult education or for family literacy. The announcement said that ProLiteracy is picking up the courses focused on adult learners who are English Language Learners or basic reading learners. The National Center for Family Literacy will be hosting courses for family literacy.
Learn more from this ProLiteracy email posted on the ProLiteracy listserve by Linda Church.
If you are on the ProLitearcy Listserve you may have caught the announcement that Thinkfinity
is no longer the go-to place for online courses for tutors needing in-service or initial training on working with adult learners. If not, here is a recap.
Starting this weekend, Thinkfinity will be dedicated to only K-12 students. It will not host courses for adult education or for family literacy. The announcement said that ProLiteracy is picking up the courses focused on adult learners who are English Language Learners or basic reading learners. The National Center for Family Literacy will be hosting courses for family literacy.
Learn more from this ProLiteracy email posted on the ProLiteracy listserve by Linda Church.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Using You Tube to Promote Your Adult Literacy Program
Are you wondering how to raise funds and recruit more volunteers? Use You Tube. Here is an example:
View VALF Vice President on a youtube spot produced for Learn to Read Jacksonville.
If you are interested in meeting Joses DeMoranville, VALF VP, interviewed for this spot contact valflorida@hotmail.com.
If you want to make a difference, be involved in a statewide project, learn more about adult literacy and using media to tell stories, contact VALF today.
Sandy Newell, VALF President
View VALF Vice President on a youtube spot produced for Learn to Read Jacksonville.
If you are interested in meeting Joses DeMoranville, VALF VP, interviewed for this spot contact valflorida@hotmail.com.
If you want to make a difference, be involved in a statewide project, learn more about adult literacy and using media to tell stories, contact VALF today.
Sandy Newell, VALF President
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