Return-Path: <nifl-aalpd@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id j4BLKDG19129; Wed, 11 May 2005 17:20:13 -0400 (EDT) Date: Wed, 11 May 2005 17:20:13 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <6.0.3.0.2.20050511160409.01f914b0@mail.ilstu.edu> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-aalpd@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-aalpd@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-aalpd@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: Chris Francisco <cfranc2@ilstu.edu> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-aalpd@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-AALPD:2167] Re: challenges of learner leadership X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Version 6.0.3.0 Status: O Content-Length: 3916 Lines: 93 Hello Katrina, I work the staff at Carl Sandburg Community College in Galesburg, Illinois. The have a very active student support wing called New Readers for New Life at their campus. The folks that participate are all literacy students that want to give something back. They advocate very actively for their fellow students and offer an array of services. Karen Avalos is one the staff members that works with this group. Together with her Director, Gwen Khoeler, they have built a very unique and rewarding set of program resources. One of their former students addressed our annual "Student Awareness Day" rally at the Illinois Capitol. This event is sponsored by our state association, The Illinois Adult and Continuing Educators' Association. Her passionate words really spoke to the more than eight hundred students assembled. Carl Sandburg is a student centered program that has cultivated their students as ambassadors for literacy. Together with groups like New Reader for New Life they have built a learning community throughout their very large service area. Please contact me if I can be of any help. I appreciate and understand your statement and the complexities of "administrative thinking." Be well.... peace and love, Chris Francisco Director Center for Adult Learning Leadership Normal, Illinois (309) 454-3329 At 02:09 PM 5/11/2005, you wrote: >Based on what I know of neighboring programs at other community colleges >in my area, "learner leaders" is an unknown and untried concept. To do >something like this would in all likelihood involve a major shift in >administrative thinking and that is not always easily accomplished here. > Periodically, like at a special ceremony or something, we'll invite a >former "success" story to give a short speech...but that's about the >extent of it. > >Katrina Hinson > > >>> etorrez@ci.santa-clara.ca.us 5/9/05 2:31:25 PM >>> >Have you try to ask other adult learner leader from others programs >come and talk to your learners, about getting involved. Some just need >to hear form other learners leaders > >Emma Torrez >Learner Advocate >Read Santa Clara >(408) 615-2959 >etorrez@ci.santa-clara.ca.us > > >>> khinson@future-gate.com 04/28/05 03:11PM >>> >One of the challenges of learner leadership is not all learners in an >adult ed program are "adults" in maturity or responsibility. I work in >a >class room with students from multi ages practically (my oldest >student >is 55+ and my youngest is 17) and some, not all, of my 17 year olds >still come to school as if it's a social event and not an educational >moment. They don't want to work, they don't want to take ownership of >their own futures even after the difficulties they have faced of >public >education and even worse. From where I sit, trying to get my >administration to even consider learner leadership options would be an >uphill battle simply because of the behavior of a large percentage of >the population served on the primary campus. I don't think this is as >much of an issue at some of the community classes as it is for us and >perhaps learner leaders might could come from that pool, but it would >still be an uphill battle trying to get admin to see past the negative >behavior of some. > >Katrina Hinson > > >>> jataylor@utk.edu 4/26/05 7:51:00 PM >>> >Hi All, >We've heard several examples of learner leadership in programs, but >I'd >also >like to know: what are the challenges inherent in this kind of work? I >think >Emma touched on one from a learner leader perspective. Would other >learner >leaders comment? ABE/ESOL practitioners? Program directors? >Professional >development staff? State staff? > >Thanks so much, >Jackie >(Learner Leadership discussion updates are posted here: >http://wiki.literacytent.org/index.php/LearnerLeadershipFullDiscussion > > >Just click on the title of the discussion thread for the full text.)
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