Hi -  Here are my answers ...

1) What state did you start your career in adult literacy?  

I began working in Wisconsin 5-1/2 years ago.

2) How did you enter the field and into what role?

I had been an adjunct Spanish instructor at a local university, and was
looking for a more permanent position that would let me combine my ESL/EFL
teaching experience and my Spanish language/teaching skills.  I became the
ESL Education Coordinator, an administrative position.

3) How did you move within the field? Consider changes in:
-- full time-part time - because of a reduction in funding our hours were
reduced.
-- promotion - a promotion would require leaving this agency ... probably
relocating.  

4) To whom does the top pay go in your state or area? - I'm not sure, but it
isn't to the volunteer literacy organizations.  I would think that the
highest pay goes to the administrators and teachers at our ABE/ESL programs
at the Technical Colleges.

5) What supports or resources, if any, were helpful to you along the way?
I'm a member of TESOL and WiTESOL (my expense) as well as ProLiteracy
America.  Attending conferences to share ideas has always been very helpful.
I also (my expense) attended 2 TESOL University sessions and a week-long
workshop at University of Minnesota (Center for Advanced Research on
Language Acquisition).  I've also taken some classes on teaching ESL to
adults.

A variety of list-servs (sponsored by NIFL, ProLiteracy, TESOL especially)
have provided a lot of useful information.  Information on list-servs often
leads to other useful sites on the internet.  The Verizon Literacy Network
(partnered with ProLiteracy) has very good free on-line courses.

8) Other thoughts?  

I wish conferences and membership in professional organizations weren't so
expensive.


Diane K. Snell
ESL Education Coordinator
Racine Literacy Council
734 Lake Avenue
Racine, WI 53403
262-632-9495
www.racineliteracy.com