Motivation and the Adult New Reader: Becoming Literate at the Bob Steele Reading Center, 1987-1996

1953: I started to hate teachers. I was mentally and physically abused and lost all respect for them.

1990: I have grown to appreciate teachers. They've opened my eyes to a new and better world. Today I can start dreaming. I realize that I can find the paths to make my dreams come true. Now I can see the positive actions of hundreds of people from the American Literacy Volunteers whose devotion and patience has helped illiterate people like me. I know the effort my tutor puts in for me is time consuming. Also the gifts of friendship holds a special place in my heart. I feel like I've been blind up 'til now. I would like to personally acknowledge Pat as a special person and excellent teacher. Without him there would be no need for this letter because I could not write or read it. He also helps me help friends to learn to read and write. I believe that all good deeds are rewarded. I also know that Pat will be rewarded someday for the good deeds he's done for me.

Patrick Lizotte, former student at the Bob Steele Reading Center.

I see that even for myself, reading and writing, that's all I wanted, but come to find out, it was more than that I wanted because it opened up a lot of doors. When you keep on feeding the brain with new ideas, knowledge about reading and writing and other learning skills, other doors are opened up.

Derrick Matthews, student at the Bob Steele Reading Center.

If anything it's brightened up my life knowing that I come off better than I was. I learned more than I knowed when I first started coming. So it has inspired me. I felt down when I first started coming. So it has inspired me. I felt down when I first started coming, but now I don't. I feel good about it, about myself, since I'm doing it. And now, 'specially since I know I can read much better than I could, and write better than I could. I couldn't even think about writing a letter then; couldn't do that. So I just say it's been a big improvement; my head's coming up.

A former student at the Bob Steele Reading Center