National Adult Literacy Database

June 1, 1998

Lynn Baker

 

Our story this week is a special event, because we are launching four learners stories on the Internet, and you can read their stories as well as hear them, with the proper audio program as shown below.

 

Play an audio version of this story

Literacy and Me

by Lynn Baker

I was a child of the 70's born in 1963 when the boomers were close to an end. The class sizes were large, anywhere from 25 to 35 students in one class with one teacher. From Grade 4-6 the students were separated. The higher level or faster moving pupils were in the “A” group. The more troublesome and harder to handle students were in “B.” I was always in the second group. I had a problem with reading to my classmates. In the next few paragraphs I will discuss my plans for the future, which include Samaritan House and the Adult Literacy Program in Brandon.

I had no need to achieve any specific goals, just to pass and get into the next grade. I know the pressures of having three brothers, trying to keep up with them. I did deal with sibling rivalry by going to a different high school. I had my own peer group. It was a new way of looking at myself. I did my own thing and had a lot of fun doing it. Friends and school were part of my identity, my personal property, a “first.”

Once again I feel that I am doing my own thing by achieving another goal, the GED. By getting a diploma it shows an inner strength, that I DID IT. Hopefully this will guide others to the path of knowledge.

Literacy is a wonderful thing. You learn new facts, computers, math tricks, and better communication skills with students and teachers. These are the most important things that I have learned during my few months at Samaritan House. We all need the support of our friends and family. Criticism can be beneficial if it is handled with respect and caring.

Life is hard enough without putting more “stuff” on top. We all should give ourselves a break, have a coffee and just talk to each other and maybe laugh MORE

As I end this assignment I am glad that I did it. I think this paper has cleared a few cobwebs and maybe it made room for more spiders in the attic!