Learner's Story

This story comes to us from Morell, Prince Edward Island. The author, Estelle Squires, is a seasonal worker in the mussel industry in PEI. She quit school because it was not what she wanted. Much later, she saw that she need upgrading for herself and to help her son with his homework. In April of last year, Estelle successfully completed the GED exam and plans to continue working toward her learning goals.

What Returning To School Has Done For Me
by Estelle Squires

I returned to school on January 4, 1999. I have had a lot of positive changes since I came back. My son is in grade seven this year. At the first of the year, he wasn’t doing very well. When I started back, and started to put a lot of hours and work in my books, he decided to do the same with his own. He has brought his marks up and is trying really hard to pass grade seven. We do our homework every evening together and he has helped me with my math. It makes him feel good that he is helping his Mom out.

My husband also has been very positive about my returning to school. He makes sure I get there every day. He also helps me with my math. If I’m having a bad day and think I will never get through it, he will tell me to slow down, be patient and it will get easier. (He is right) My family likes to see the end of the month come, so they can see my report card. I have a lot more self confidence in myself since returning to school.

By putting a lot of hard work in my subjects, with the help of three wonderful teachers and my family, I will get grade twelve.

[This story was taken with permission, from Live and Learn, published by the PEI Literacy Alliance, Summer 1999 edition.]


And, Among The Winners Were...

The battle for world literacy is too often a story of unsung heroes. That’s one reason why the NALD newsletter will bring to you, on a regular basis, a list of those individuals, programs and organizations honoured with international, national and provincial recognition for outstanding work in the global literacy initiative.

International

UNESCO International Literacy Day Prizes (Palmares 2000) -
International Reading Association Literacy Award : Adult Literacy Organization of Zimbabwe;
Noma Literacy Prize : Bureau of Non-Formal Education: Accreditation and Equivalency (NFE A&E) System, Philippines;
King Sejong Literacy Prizes : The “Juvenile Education” programme, Iraq and The National Literacy and Basic Education Directorate, Senegal;
Malcolm Adiseshiah International Literacy Prize : Quechua-Castellano Bilingual Literacy Project on Reproductive Health , Bolivia.

National

Awards for Excellence in Workplace Literacy - 2000 Recipients
Small Business Initiative : Durabelt Inc - Montague, Prince Edward Island;
Medium Business Initiative : Irving Paper - Saint John, New Brunswick;
Large Business Initiative : Cominco Ltd. - Trail, British Columbia.

Provincial

Provincial Saskatchewan SABEA Award of Excellence -
1999 Recipient : Pat Arndt, Instructor at Parkland RegionalCollege in Yorkton;
2000 Recipient : Bob Brown, Wascana Campus in Regina, Instructor, Program Head and Program Coordinator (now retired).


Moving?

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Make sure your copy of Networks/Réseaux follows you to your new location by letting the National Adult Literacy Database know your new address. Send your change-of-address information by

Email: info@nald.ca
Post : NALD, Scovil House,
703 Brunswick Street,
Fredericton, NB E3B 1H8.
Fax: (506) 457-6910
Call: (506) 457-6900 or
toll-free, 1-800-720-6253

Back Next

Reading the Museum GED Preparation Online
The Essential Skills Portfolio The Literacy Bookshelf
VOICES Literacy Project Living Evidence of the Impact of Adult Literacy
NETWORKS Datebook Learner's Corner
International Adult Learners' Week Learner's Story
Get to the Point And, Among the Winners...
Websites Worth Remembering