National Adult Literacy Database

March 5, 2007

The following story was written by Gary Porter, from Barrie, Ontario. Gary is enrolled in literacy classes at the Barrie Literacy Council. The following story helped Gary win the Canada Post Literacy Award in 2003, in the Individual Achievement category. Since then, he has achieved his GED.

Story (Part 2 of 3)

by Gary Porter

Entry into Literacy

At the time my second marriage broke down, I realized I wanted to better myself. I started to volunteer once a week at a program that helped special needs children enjoy horseback riding. Around the same time, a friend told me about the literacy program in Barrie. After procrastinating many times, I finally got enough courage to walk through the doors and take that first big step to change.

As soon as I arrived at the Barrie Literacy Council, I was made to feel comfortable. The Assessor asked me about my life, and when I mentioned that I had a stepdaughter in university, she said, "OK, how do you spell university?" I looked at her, thinking she was crazy, and said "I can't spell a big word like that!" She immediately said, "Sure, you can!" As she sounded the word out in syllables, with her prompting, I was able to spell it. Wow! I started to believe in myself, that I could improve, and some of the doubt disappeared.

Shortly afterwards, I was matched with Kim, my tutor, who met with me once a week. Spelling was the first thing we worked on. Every week, new words were introduced and my dictionary was with me all the time. It became my bible. Prior to this, when I needed to spell a word, I would often use the yellow pages of the phone book, because the pictures would help me find the word I was looking for.

In one Monday night session, I can't explain how or why, but the light came on all of a sudden! I discovered the concept of breaking words into syllables myself. My tutor sounded the word out to me (as she had done each week for so long), but what a feeling when I finally realized I could do that by myself. I couldn't wait to get to all those other big words I had been spelling incorrectly so many times in the past. It was then that I realized all the hard work had finally paid off.

Kim also encouraged me to read my first novel. She said anything at all would be good-she just wanted me to read. So I started with Harold Robbins books. Although this might not make the Bestseller List of literature, I am still reading and enjoying books!

After the first few weeks with my tutor, I realized that learning was fun and stimulating. I would ask for extra work and with lots of determination, I would complete my assignments each week. Kim expected a lot from me; she really pushed me to succeed. I was with her for one and a half years, learning spelling, reading short stories and improving my sentence structure. Spelling is still the hardest thing for me.

Six months into the program, I realized I was not the only one with a problem. I joined a small writing class at the literacy council. There was anywhere from three to seven students each week, and our teacher was great. She always came up with interesting and novel assignments and she made us eager to learn. She taught us a great deal about descriptive writing. But more than that, she taught us to work together as a group. Many of the students from this class remain supportive of each other on our road to learning.

At times, I found it discouraging trying to juggle my work, family and school. I wanted to succeed with my learning and felt that I would be letting my tutor down if I couldn't complete my homework. But sometimes, there were just not enough hours in the day. I would rush into the Council to complete my homework before my tutor arrived or before class, but I was often exhausted at home and at work. However, when life crises got in the way, I could always turn to my tutor, staff, spouse, family and others who have been supportive throughout my journey to learn.

Last year, I was almost ready to write my GED equivalency exam when my spouse was in a serious car accident. I found I had to put my studies on hold. Not only did I have to run my own business, I found myself running hers as well. But what I had learned through my literacy classes, certainly helped me get through those difficult times. I had to order and pick up products, organize production, deal with staff and customers, and do her banking. Without my improved literacy skills, this would have been impossible! Getting back into my studies again this year was a hurdle I had to overcome, but with the help of a new tutor, I am again working towards my GED.

From the very beginning of my literacy journey, I have been awe-struck by the hard work, time and dedication of the staff and volunteers towards students. They have always treated me respectfully and met my needs in every way and more. They cared about me as a person, and always provided an encouraging word. When I would get in a slump and feel I wasn't progressing, they were there to give their time, support and the encouragement that kept me going. They taught me study habits and organizational skills, but most of all they treated me as an equal.

Part 1 | Part 3

[This story was taken with permission, from the Barrie Literacy Council website, in the Student Writings section. It is an excerpt of Gary’s story.]