July 26, 2005

Today was a HUGE day for me. After a few hours break, my evening appointments rolled around. My five o'clock appointment had arrived at least 15 minutes before our scheduled time. As I peered across the room, I saw that he already had his pencils and paper ready. His new green bookbag was placed delicately on the table nearby. As I approached him, he looked up with the most eager eyes I have ever seen. He smiled and said hello in a very sweet and quiet way. He was at least 60 years old and had sparse gray hair. I greeted him warmly, and sat down.

I looked at his lesson plan, and asked him to take out his alphabet cards. For the next thirty minutes I sat with this man and helped him to learn the alphabet. First I would scramble the letter cards and then he would attempt to place them back in order. For some reason, he would always get tripped up on the letter M. He would get this very focused look on his face. Then he would give a resolved sigh and go back to the beginning and go through the whole way until he could remember the letter.

As I was sitting there with him, giving encouragement and hints when necessary, I was overcome with emotion. I would constantly feel my eyes begin to fill with tears of joy and compassion for this man. I wished so much that I could help him in so many ways. As our time came to a close, I wished it could have been more. I wanted to replay the simplicity of the accomplishments.

I have spent three years at a wonderful and highly ranked university. Yet I cannot help but think that of all the knowledge I had gained there, none of it was as important as the lesson I learned with my student: What really matters in life is as simple as the ABCs.

Christine Coode
Literacy Tutor

My Thoughts

I was once asked to describe how being a part of the Nashville Adult Literacy Program has helped me. It has given me a renewed sense of self-confidence. There was a time when I wouldn't even try to write this letter. Now I am more confident. When I was a child growing up, I felt useless inside, because I could not spell what I wanted to say on paper. Now I hold my head up high because of people like Sauna Springer and Sarah Coode. If the phrase "heaven sent" is true, it certainly applies to them.

Edwin A. Lewis

My Experience at Literacy Council

My name is Francis. I am from Mexico. I love languages and to learn about different cultures. Three months ago I was talking to my friend Vicky. She told me about the Literacy Program and how this program gave her the opportunity to have a tutor and improve her English.

Vicky introduced me to Cheryl at Nashville Adult Literacy Council and I thanked her for that. My experience at the Literacy Council has been a blessing. I am so happy. Cheryl and I discussed my goals and plans for the future. I explained to her about my interest in taking the GED test, and she encouraged me to do it. I was set up in a waiting list for a tutor. While I was waiting I had the opportunity to work in the computer lab and I was provided with material to work on.

The day came and Cheryl introduced me to Jennifer, my tutor. To meet Jennifer has been fascinating. She is helping me to improve my writing and vocabulary, and also we are working on my GED test. We have a good time discussing words, deep meanings, and sometimes about cultures. The time we spend together goes by real fast and I enjoy learning.

My goals now are to improve my English writing and speaking skills, and to take my GED test. I wish to have a job where I can help Hispanic people that do not speak English. If the Lord grants me the opportunity, in the future I would like to go to college and become a nurse.

I thank God for this opportunity to meet people that are helping and encourage me to achieve my goals.

Thank you so much, God bless you.
Francis

Read to Succeed/Literacy Success

In the tutor combine:
     two parts patience
     1 part imagination

Slowly add in:
     a smidgen of courage
     two smidgens of respect
     A dash of humility for good measure

Top with:
     a handful of optimism.

Mix well.

In the student combine:
   a heaping mound of motivation
   and loads of will power

Add:
   a smidgen of humility and
   equal parts of respect and hope.

Mix well.

Combine the tutor and student,
Stir slowly over several sessions of hard work.

The end result: Success for the individuals and the community

Former students: Golf Cronk Gloria Jones Ophelia Kolison

My English Class

When I knew that Cheryl was looking for a tutor for me, I felt so sad because I enjoyed my group class. I love to talk a lot (in my language) and I like to help people that can't understand any word or sentence. I thought that with my tutor I would feel alone and bored. But it is not true. I met Meagan and every class is so interesting. I can improve my English and we have a lot of conversation about the book and our lives.

Now I feel more comfortable when talking with people who speak English. I hope to get ready to help my little child Francisco when he begins kindergarten next year. I would like to help him every day with homework, new words, writing, and reading in both languages (English and Spanish).

Eliana Saenz