About the Authors

Barbara Bate, M.Ed., was Projects Coordinator, Department of College and Career Preparation of the University College of the Fraser Valley, Chilliwack, British Columbia. Some of her initiatives include developing, coordinating, and writing the history of Families in Motion, a local family literacy project, offering a provincial family literacy development and communication service in conjunction with Literacy BC. Barbara has recently ventured into independent practice for family literacy consultation.

Elaine Cairns, B.A., B.Ed., has worked in the fields of adult literacy and English as a Second Language for the last eight years. Over the years, Elaine has been a volunteer tutor, instructor, facilitator, ESL administrator, and literacy coordinator. She has served as a past board member of the Alberta Association for Adult Literacy and the Literacy Coordinators’ of Alberta. Currently, she is co-manager of the Literacy and Parenting Skills program at Alberta Vocational College in Calgary, Alberta.

Della Coish is a graduate of Memorial University of Newfoundland and Coordinator of the Fogo Island Literacy Association. Strong community support for literacy initiatives has enabled a solid volunteer base for and active participation in family literacy activities.

Gillian di Vito received her education in England, leading to a B.A. in English. She has worked in elementary schools, as a remedial reading teacher and a library resource teacher, and has conducted workshops on children’s literature for teachers and high school students. She has been elected President of Literacy Partners of Quebec, a provincial coalition. Her hobbies include reading, travel and family enjoyment.

Mary Gordon was born and raised in Newfoundland. She is currently the administrator of the Parenting and Family Literacy programs of the Toronto District School Board. Mary has worked with children of all ages and their families. Over the years she has developed several parenting courses, the most recent, the Roots of Empathy. In January 1998 Mary attended an experts meeting of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris, to set out social policy issues for young children.

Ruth Hayden is a professor in the Department of Elementary Education at the University of Alberta where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in reading and language arts. Her research interest centres on literacy acquisition across all age groups within multicultural contexts. She is particularly interested in the role the community plays in literacy development. She collaborates with Maureen Sanders in exploring and providing a variety of family literacy programs in conjunction with a number of social and health agencies.