<div> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Barb,<br>
<br>
Six or seven years ago I grew restless with K-12 teacher education (teaching teachers to teach reading) in higher education and wanted to explore opportunities in literacy education and evaluation. On a blistering cold winter's day, I flew from St. Louis to Boston and met with Jonn Comings. He invited me to lunch. He encouraged me to meet two people in the literacy field. You, for your expertise and editorship. Rima Rudd for health literacy. I took his advice. You invited me to write an article for FOB and served as an outstanding editor. I met Rima in Canada at the first US-Canadian Health Literacy Conference. Bottom line. The three of you provided the inspiration to leave a tenured faculty position at a university and pursue challenges in the literacy field.<br>
<br>
Thank you. You've been a leader and an inspiration. FOB served the field with current research and practical applications that could be applied by novice and experienced educators. Best wishes and safe travels with many new adventures.<br>
<br>
Jeri Levesque, Ed.D.<br>
Evaluator, LIFT<br>
<br>
</font></div>
<div> <br>
</div>
<div> <br>
</div>
-----Original Message-----<br>
From: Barbara Garner <b.garner4@verizon.net><br>
To: Donna Chambers <donnaedp@cox.net>; The Focus on Basics Discussion List <focusonbasics@nifl.gov><br>
Sent: Wed, 27 Feb 2008 10:39 am<br>
Subject: [FocusOnBasics 1127] Re: Reflections on FOB in your lives<br>
<br>
<div id="AOLMsgPart_0_10fc6e53-5bb6-42c7-8b77-b8ab87b86dce" style="margin: 0px; font-family: Tahoma,Verdana,Arial,Sans-Serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">
<pre style="font-size: 9pt;"><tt>It's time to imagine me blushing. Thank you for the positive, specific feedback <br>
(I'm following the Special Topics discussion where the value of specificity in <br>
feedback has been noted!).<br>
<br>
I've been thinking about why "Focus on Basics" is so useful. One reason might be <br>
that we solicit the articles and then work with the authors to shape them. We do <br>
this with the reader in mind, always asking ourselves what teachers need to know <br>
or what program administrators might find valuable. <br>
<br>
I hope you continue to access the articles for the next few years at least. They <br>
archieved in the ERIC system as well as on the NCSALL web site (<a href="http://www.ncsall.net" target="_blank">www.ncsall.net</a>).<br>
<br>
Best,<br>
Barb Garner<br>
<br>
Editor, "Focus on Basics"<br>
A World Education Publication=====================<br>
From: Donna Chambers <<a href="mailto:donnaedp@cox.net">donnaedp@cox.net</a>><br>
Date: 2008/02/26 Tue PM 05:30:05 CST<br>
To: The Focus on Basics Discussion List <<a href="mailto:focusonbasics@nifl.gov">focusonbasics@nifl.gov</a>><br>
Subject: [FocusOnBasics 1127] Re: Two more issues<br>
<br>
Let me just second what Janet has said here and add my own comments and <br>
regrets on losing this incredible resource that has enriched my practice <br>
for the past 11 years and in so doing enrighed the lives of many others by <br>
what I learned and shared through these treasured pieces. I often find <br>
myself googling a topic of interest to me in my work today only to come <br>
across a Focus on Basics article published on the topic maybe six or seven <br>
years ago or even longer. The article is just as relevant (maybe even more <br>
so) than it was written. I am very sad that this fine work will now stop. <br>
In my many years of Adult Education I have often been appalled at what gets <br>
funded and what does not. I will miss the readings, the chats, the <br>
enrichment. I would like to say to all involved in Focus on Basics over the <br>
past 11 years, you have done your job well from the beginning to the end and <br>
you have made me better for it. Thank you. . Donna Chambers<br>
<br>
----- Original Message ----- <br>
From: "Janet Isserlis" <<a href="mailto:Janet_Isserlis@brown.edu">Janet_Isserlis@brown.edu</a>><br>
To: "<a href="mailto:b.garner4@verizon.net">b.garner4@verizon.net</a>, The Focus on Basics Discussion List" <br>
<<a href="mailto:focusonbasics@nifl.gov">focusonbasics@nifl.gov</a>><br>
Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 2:21 PM<br>
Subject: [FocusOnBasics 1125] Re: Two more issues<br>
<br>
<br>
> huge thanks to you, Barb and to everyone who contributed to the journal <br>
> over<br>
> the years, participated in/moderated discussions and otherwise helped to<br>
> move our learning forward.<br>
><br>
> One could argue that decisions are made about funding and support for work<br>
> in adult learning that could and should be (and often are) challenged. As<br>
> this is not an advocacy list, I am merely sharing information and <br>
> thoughts.<br>
><br>
> Focus on Basics served as an excellent bridge for practitioners who had <br>
> yet<br>
> to come across more academic journals, for whom such journals may have<br>
> provided not quite the needed information and for whom learning through<br>
> practice and theory, and through reading clearly written and thoughtful<br>
> pieces has been an ongoing source of professional development.<br>
><br>
> thank you<br>
><br>
> Janet Isserlis<br>
><br>
><br>
>> From: Barbara Garner <<a href="mailto:b.garner4@verizon.net">b.garner4@verizon.net</a>><br>
>> Reply-To: <<a href="mailto:b.garner4@verizon.net">b.garner4@verizon.net</a>>, The Focus on Basics Discussion List<br>
>> <<a href="mailto:focusonbasics@nifl.gov">focusonbasics@nifl.gov</a>><br>
>> Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2008 11:39:48 -0600 (CST)<br>
>> To: <<a href="mailto:focusonbasics@nifl.gov">focusonbasics@nifl.gov</a>>, Julie McKinney <<a href="mailto:julie_mcKinney@worlded.org">julie_mcKinney@worlded.org</a>><br>
>> Subject: [FocusOnBasics 1120] Re: Two more issues<br>
>><br>
>> Although the FOB list is ending, two more issues of "Focus on Basics" are <br>
>> in<br>
>> the works. The first is on numeracy, and should be available in May.<br>
>><br>
>> The second is on literacy and health, and should be available in October.<br>
>><br>
>> We'll let you know about that issue via the other NIFL discussion lists <br>
>> and<br>
>> via the Adult Numeracy Network discussion list. We hope to hold <br>
>> discussions<br>
>> about particular articles on relevant discussion lists.<br>
>><br>
>> To subscribe to the Adult Numeracy Network list, go to<br>
>> <a href="http://literacynet.org/ann/numeracylist.html" target="_blank">http://literacynet.org/ann/numeracylist.html</a> and follow directions for<br>
>> subscribing.<br>
>><br>
>> To subscribe to other NIFL lists, go to<br>
>> <a href="http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/discussions/discussions.html" target="_blank">http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/discussions/discussions.html</a> and follow <br>
>> directions<br>
>> for subscribing.<br>
>><br>
>> Barb Garner<br>
>> Editor, "Focus on Basics"<br>
>> A World Education Publication<br>
>> =====================<br>
>> From: Julie McKinney <<a href="mailto:julie_mcKinney@worlded.org">julie_mcKinney@worlded.org</a>><br>
>> Date: 2008/02/26 Tue AM 10:50:59 CST<br>
>> To: <a href="mailto:focusonbasics@nifl.gov">focusonbasics@nifl.gov</a><br>
>> Subject: [FocusOnBasics 1119] Saying goodbye...<br>
>><br>
>> Hi Everyone,<br>
>><br>
>> As you know, it is the last week of the FOB list :(...<br>
>><br>
>> I would like to start our goodbye process by saying a huge thank you to <br>
>> you<br>
>> all. You have been a thoughtful, conscientious, intelligent, questioning <br>
>> and<br>
>> dedicated group. You have been generous with your time, your opinions, <br>
>> and<br>
>> your experience to help our community process new research, new ideas and <br>
>> new<br>
>> methods of teaching and reaching out to adult learners.<br>
>><br>
>> I also want to to thank Barb Garner, the editor of Focus on Basics for <br>
>> its<br>
>> entire 11 years. She has turned out over 30 issues, filled with useful, <br>
>> timely<br>
>> and practical articles that bring adult literacy and learning research <br>
>> into<br>
>> the practical arena. She has done a fantastic job, and I know that FOB <br>
>> has<br>
>> been appreciated and loved my many.<br>
>><br>
>> Barb is joining us this week to answer questions and remind us how to <br>
>> access<br>
>> past issues of FOB.<br>
>><br>
>> I invite you all to ask questions if you have them, and to share any<br>
>> reflections you have of this list and how the discourse on it has <br>
>> affected<br>
>> you, your teaching and your programs over the years.<br>
>><br>
>> Fondly,<br>
>> Julie<br>
>><br>
>> Julie McKinney<br>
>> Discussion List Moderator<br>
>> World Education/NCSALL<br>
>> <a href="mailto:jmckinney@worlded.org">jmckinney@worlded.org</a><br>
>><br>
>> ----------------------------------------------------<br>
>> National Institute for Literacy<br>
>> Focus on Basics mailing list<br>
>> <a href="mailto:FocusOnBasics@nifl.gov">FocusOnBasics@nifl.gov</a><br>
>> To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to<br>
>> <a href="http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/focusonbasics" target="_blank">http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/focusonbasics</a><br>
>> Message sent to <a href="mailto:B.GARNER4@verizon.net">B.GARNER4@verizon.net</a>.<br>
>><br>
>> ----------------------------------------------------<br>
>> National Institute for Literacy<br>
>> Focus on Basics mailing list<br>
>> <a href="mailto:FocusOnBasics@nifl.gov">FocusOnBasics@nifl.gov</a><br>
>> To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to<br>
>> <a href="http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/focusonbasics" target="_blank">http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/focusonbasics</a><br>
>> Message sent to <a href="mailto:JANET_ISSERLIS@brown.edu">JANET_ISSERLIS@brown.edu</a>.<br>
><br>
> ----------------------------------------------------<br>
> National Institute for Literacy<br>
> Focus on Basics mailing list<br>
> <a href="mailto:FocusOnBasics@nifl.gov">FocusOnBasics@nifl.gov</a><br>
> To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to <br>
> <a href="http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/focusonbasics" target="_blank">http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/focusonbasics</a><br>
> Message sent to <a href="mailto:donnaedp@cox.net">donnaedp@cox.net</a>.<br>
> <br>
<br>
----------------------------------------------------<br>
National Institute for Literacy<br>
Focus on Basics mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:FocusOnBasics@nifl.gov">FocusOnBasics@nifl.gov</a><br>
To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to <br>
<a href="http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/focusonbasics" target="_blank">http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/focusonbasics</a><br>
Message sent to <a href="mailto:B.GARNER4@verizon.net">B.GARNER4@verizon.net</a>.<br>
<br>
----------------------------------------------------<br>
National Institute for Literacy<br>
Focus on Basics mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:FocusOnBasics@nifl.gov">FocusOnBasics@nifl.gov</a><br>
To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to <br>
<a href="http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/focusonbasics" target="_blank">http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/focusonbasics</a><br>
Message sent to <a href="mailto:JALSAILS@aol.com">JALSAILS@aol.com</a>.<br>
</tt></pre>
</div>
<!-- end of AOLMsgPart_0_10fc6e53-5bb6-42c7-8b77-b8ab87b86dce -->
<div id='u8CA47C81A2E399D-804-32BE' class='aol_ad_footer'><FONT style="color: black; font: normal 10pt ARIAL, SAN-SERIF;"><HR style="MARGIN-TOP: 10px">Supercharge your AIM. Get the <A title="http://download.aim.com/client/aimtoolbar?NCID=aolcmp00300000002586" href="http://download.aim.com/client/aimtoolbar?NCID=aolcmp00300000002586" target="_blank">AIM toolbar</A> for your browser.</FONT> </div>