Success Stories

Letter from the Director

Dear Readers,

Welcome to the annual Success Stories issue of Literacy Links. I believe this issue sets a record for in it we feature twenty-one articles, the most I can remember us ever printing in a single issue. As the days get longer and we move into the “lazy” days of summer, I hope you will add this edition of Literacy Links to your absolute must-reads for the summer. I just read the entire issue cover to cover, and I have to say I was mesmerized by the stories I read written by adult learners, teachers, program directors, GREAT Center directors, a TCALL staff member, a literacy volunteer, and a Texas LEARNS staff member.

I began this issue by reading Lori Ruiz-Wamble’s article on how Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) programs were one of only four Department of Education programs to receive the highest rating of “effective.” I hope everyone in Texas who is involved with adult and/or family literacy will stand up and take a bow after reading this article. This rating is indeed a grand success!

After Lori’s article, I began reading the success stories written by our state’s adult learners. This issue is filled with both GED and ESL learner success stories. Stephanie Acosta-Patel’s article reminds ABE learners to “Never Give Up”, Diedra Taylor also shares her GED success story and more importantly her success at triumphing over the devastating aftereffects of Hurricane Katrina. Thomas Larey, a GED graduate who recently was asked to speak at his ABE program’s orientation sessions, describes in his article the one rule he believes everyone needs to live by. Another GED graduate Mary Hawley, describes not only her success in obtaining her GED, but of successfully transitioning into the role of college student, something she never dreamed possible at her age. Elida Velez, another GED student, compares the adventure of getting her GED to climbing Mt. Everest, and along the way she conquered something even bigger. GED graduate turned ESL instructor, Tresa Pokorski in her article shares how the education that happens in Even Start centers is “nothing short of miraculous”.

If it is ESL learner success stories you are looking for, there are plenty of those as well. Sonia Apodaca beautifully describes her journey from Juarez, Mexico to ESL learner in El Paso. In Hui Chu (Nancy) Huang’s article “My Story in Learning English”, she describes the four ways she has to help her learn the English language. Brenda Hernandez, in her very honest account, shares the frustrations that often come as one struggles to learn a new language, her perseverance and willingness to succeed are inspiring. Iliana Guerra uses her story to share how she is now living her definition of “The American Dream”.

Teachers Gabriel Forsyth, Tom Enright, and Marie Paiz in their respective articles share with readers multiple definitions of success and how to measure success. Karmyn Dorcey-Jeffries, a literacy volunteer, offers a telling tale of the difference one or two postcards can make in a teacher’s life. Krista Young, Janice Strohmeier, David Joost, Jacqueline Gramann all share program success stories. Their articles will no doubt inspire you, and hopefully, give you some ideas for things to try with your own programs. GREAT Center Directors Mary Geiger and Eduardo Honold offer professional development success stories that demonstrate innovative programs being implemented by the state’s GREAT Centers, eight regional hubs for professional development of adult and family literacy educators.

There is no doubt that this issue is brimming with wonderful success stories. I hope you will take the time to read each one, discuss them with your students, share them with your colleagues, photocopy them for your friends, but most importantly enjoy them. The summer is for pleasure reading, and this issue is pure pleasure.

Happy Reading,

Dr. Dominique T. Chlup
Director of TCALL &
Principal Investigator on the Clearinghouse Project

*Please note: In the case of adult learner-written articles, while the editorial decision was made to fix typos and spelling errors, in keeping with the article’s integrity, the authors’ words, for the most part, remained unchanged.