To celebrate the end of the year and prior to beginning a new term of tutoring and instruction through Adult Education, a Volunteer Recognition Workshop was held Wednesday, June 20, to honor volunteers and give them a chance to socialize, learn new tools for the upcoming year and receive certificates of appreciation.
Highland Community College’s Adult Education Department serves adult learners in Carroll, Jo Daviess, Ogle, and Stephenson counties who are looking for accessible educational opportunities to help them succeed at work, home and in their communities. The department’s curriculum is designed to integrate instruction of basic skills in reading, writing and math; with life skills, parenting skills and workforce preparation skills. Services available are GED® preparation classes, ESL (English as a Second Language) classes, and one-on-one tutoring.
“The recognition for our tutors and volunteers is about thanking them for volunteering their time for the past year,” Esther Meyer, Volunteer Literacy Coordinator/ESL Instructional Coordinator said. “It’s a great time for them to get together as a group and receive the tools applicable toward their training.”
Terry Hart of Lena is an ESL instructor who got involved with the program in the fall of 2017 as a way to give back. Hart said his motivation is about interaction with others, and getting to know people from other countries looking to improve their English skills and work toward getting a GED®.
“I like education and my students are adults and I see myself as a collaborator to make instruction friendly and to help. I get to learn about their lives and I’ve found they are so appreciative,” Hart said.
A volunteer for the past two years, Sara Rausch of Lena helps with GED® instruction and ESL.
“For me, it is about giving back,” Rausch said. “I am retired and I have the time. Adult literacy is so important, and it can mean a better job, a better life.”