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As part of International Literacy Day, the Tri-County Literacy Network recognizes individuals’ contributions to literacy in the tri-county area of Chatham-Kent, Sarnia-Lambton and Windsor-Essex. On an annual basis one individual from each county or municipality is recognized for his/her promotion of literacy. Chatham-Kent Recipient: Recipient of the Literacy Promotion Award 2011 for Chatham-Kent This year, in Chatham-Kent, we would like to recognize the contributions of Joan Stearns. Joan Stearns is a retired librarian who previously worked for the Wallaceburg Public Library. She became a volunteer with the Wallaceburg Lambton Kent District School Board Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) program in October 2010. Her keen interest in assisting the learners often extended beyond classroom hours. Joan has been vital in improving the self-esteem of the learners she works with. Her caring, compassionate and sincere approach has made even the most skeptical readers look forward to reading with her. Joan provides the learners with a comfortable environment and she always greets them with a smile. When Joan began her volunteer work with the LBS program, she worked with two learners and volunteered once a week. Currently, Joan works with 8 learners, twice a week. Joan was even able to capture the interest of those who were previously hesitant to commit to the reading portion of the LBS program. When an individual expressed the need for extra help, Joan took it upon herself to volunteer the extra hours. Despite a personally difficult year in 2010, Joan continued her literacy work with eagerness and compassion. In just a short time, Joan has become a very significant member of the literacy program’s family. Sarnia-Lambton Recipient: Recipient of the Literacy Promotion Award 2011 for Sarnia-Lambton This year, in Sarnia-Lambton, we would like to recognize the contributions of Anna MacAlpine. Anna MacAlpine was a volunteer tutor in Lambton College’s 2010 summer Academic Upgrading English/Self-Management/Computers classroom. She volunteered in this classroom from the end of June until the end of August. Classes ran from Monday to Thursday, 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. It was an extremely busy summer, with some days thirty or more students in the classroom. As a tutor, she assisted in helping students with their work. It became very obvious right at the beginning that she was a self-starter who wanted to help out any way she could. Anna was excellent at anticipating when students needed help. Despite having no prior experience, she quickly grasped what needed to be done and could readily identify when students just needed clarification of an assignment. Whenever she had a spare moment, Anna took the initiative to assist with xeroxing, filing and sorting. She was a very committed volunteer who never missed a day and never arrived late. On days when she couldn’t get a ride to work, she biked. She was most approachable and helpful to both the students and instructor. When the instructor was too busy with students, the students did not hesitate to seek her help. Without having Anna in the classroom last summer, the student’s literacy skills would not have improved as quickly as they did. Students were able to complete their training plans and goals because Anna was there to assist the program. Anna appreciated the opportunity to contribute to the success of the program. Initially, she was a little shy but quickly grew into the position. Anna had an excellent work ethic and the students benefited because of this. Her positive, enthusiastic personality had an impact on the classroom. Students found her most approachable. She was self-directed and eager to help the students. Her problem solving abilities were certainly put to the test as the program was extremely busy. If she didn’t know the answer, she quickly found it. At the end of the summer, she had a sense of a job well done and certainly this opportunity improved her level of confidence. She felt this experience was truly another stepping stone in her Drama/Music career. Anna never hesitated to put in the extra effort necessary to see a student receive the help that he/she needed. Windsor-Essex Recipient: Recipient of the Literacy Promotion Award 2010 for Windsor-Essex This year, in Windsor-Essex, we would like to recognize the contributions of Beth Pirouet. Beth Pirouet, Manager, Employment Services, St. Clair College, now Human Resources Manager with St. Clair College has been an active board member with the Tri- County Literacy Network for the past five years. She quickly became a leader amongst the board members and as a result held the position of vice president and secretary offering her 20 years of community service expertise to the Board. Beth’s sense of humour and common sense approach has had an impact on many clients/students in the tri-county region. Beth’s passion for serving youth in her community and her understanding of their unique literacy needs contributed to her ability to make a difference in the lives of many individuals.
Beth’s ability to make clients feel empowered and help them
make changes in their lives does not go unnoticed She brings laughter,
commitment and a positive approach to her work and touches others everyday
with these powerful influences. |
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