Spring 2013 Literacy Task Force of Northern

Promoting, providing, and developing literacy opportunities to serve children, adults, and their families in Northern Wisconsin.

From the President’s Desk

What we do: members attended the Our annual open meeting regional meeting for Wis- with a speaker and light  Provide tutoring for struggling children consin Literacy. Many help- dinner will be held in No- and adults ful topics were discussed vember again this year. and some free, easy-to- Details to follow on-line at  Train reading tutors www.litearcytaskforce.org using scientifically read materials from the research-based Historical Society were methods obtained. They are now Thanks to all of you for housed in the Minocqua your continued support  Utilize explicit, system- atic, multi-sensory Dear Friends of Literacy, Library in our special Liter- through funding, member- strategies acy Task Force sponsored ship and donated time and Spring has finally arrived area (See librarian for loca- talent. Thanks to your help,  Give talks about litera- cy to area agencies, after a long and snowy tion.). much can be accom- organizations, and winter. The Literacy Task plished. schools Force has been busy since Our treasurer, Connie our last newsletter. June Hicks attended a health Warmly,  Raise money for train- 24th—28th, 2012, we held literacy conference called ing scholarships and resource materials a reading training for tutors Changing System, Chang- Peggy Steber, President for parents and called SLANT. It was a very ing Lives. Connie received teachers intensive training, well- a scholarship to attend this structured with a multi- conference and is our “go sensory approach to teach- to” person when it comes to health literacy. ing reading. The instructor, Calendar of Events Marsha Geller Inside this [email protected] Our task force has been Monthly Board Meetings issue: m, came to us from Illinois asked to have an advance First Thursday of the Month to do the training. It was training for those that were Minocqua Library, 5:30 p.m. Health Literacy 2 held in Three Lakes at the formerly trained in an Orton Sue & Roger Smith Room high school with partici- -Gillingham, multi-sensory (July—second Thursday) based reading program. As pants coming from Toma- Advanced Training with Literacy Training 2 hawk, Minocqua, Park a result, we have engaged Workshop 2013 Dr. Marcia Henry Falls, Fifield, and Eagle Dr. Marcia Henry, past August 12—14th River. Several of the partic- president of the Internation- Nicolet College Inside thoughts 2 ipants have continued to al Dyslexia Association and from a tutor and her receive instruction through former trainer for the litera- Annual General client on-line participation and cy task force to teach the Open Meeting November Current Board 3 support while they continue advanced training course, Members August 12-14, 2013 at Ni- Details in Fall Newsletter tutoring in their communi- ties. This practicum support colet College. Needless to Literacy Task Force of Donor Information 4 reinforces skills learned in say, we are very excited to Northern Wisconsin class and will be of great have someone of her cali- PO BOX 574 help to the struggling read- ber teaching the class for Minocqua, WI 54548 ers they are tutoring in our us. One graduate credit (715) 277-2019 area. through Viterbo College will Twitter: @LiteracyMission be available for this ex- tremely helpful course. www.literacytaskforce.org In October several board

Literacy Task Force of Northern Wisconsin Page 2

Health Literacy

Literacy Task Force of North- offering assistance in read- information. Connie presently ern Wisconsin executive ing diagnosis information, serves on the Marshfield Clinic The Literacy Task Force of board member—treasurer, health-related instruction, Lung Cancer Endowment Fund Northern Wisconsin is a Connie Hicks, was recently prescription medication Board and offers insight from a non profit organization awarded a scholarship from pamphlets, financial forms, health-literacy, patient advo- dedicated to helping fami- Wisconsin Literacy and the and other related materi- cate, and cancer care-giver lies and individuals in Wisconsin Research Educa- als. They also produce perspective. For further infor- northern Wisconsin who tion Network, to attend the bi documents in an “easy- mation, Connie may be reached struggle with reading and -annual Health Literacy read” format, as well as at 715-762-3574 or Summit in Madison, April 8- produce CDs, podcasts, [email protected] spelling. We are parents, 10, 2013. Health literacy DVDs, and devise meth- educators and concerned specialists serve patients by ods to help convey health citizens. We partner with www.literacytaskforce.org the Wisconsin Branch of International Dyslexia As- The Gift of Literacy sociation (WIBIDA), Wis- consin Literacy, Inc., What makes helping some- learned to read. Like American Association of one learn to read and spell Tom recently said, “I University Women so deeply satisfying? It is found a tutor who (AAUW) and Nicolet Area being able to walk alongside taught me how to read Technical College. someone who is on a jour- and spell and use a ney to new skills, new computer. It took a Literacy Task Force dreams and new opportuni- couple of years, but I of Northern Wisconsin ties! learned, and it was PO BOX 574 fun for me!” Minocqua, WI 54548 It began for me in the sum- (715) 277-2019 mer of 2009 when I took a Tom’s first step to- www.literacytaskforce.org course offered by Nicolet ward college was to Twitter: @LiteracyMission College & the Literacy Task earn his GED. As his Force. In it, I learned to ap- reading skills devel- ply the Orton-Gillingham oped, Tom began Tom Meehan receiving his GED. multi-sensory method to the taking his GED tests. The task force teaching of reading & One of the options for him These days find Tom progress- spelling. Afterwards, I be- was having the tests provid- ing through the Welding pro- is a member came a tutor and began us- ed in audio format, but he gram at Nicolet. He continues of Wisconsin ing those techniques. In the preferred reading them on to do a majority of the reading spring of 2010, I began tutor- his own. Tom’s confidence by himself. He says “It’s so Literacy, Inc. ing Tom Meehan. grew as he found that he amazing to go back to school was able to read-and pass- at my age. I’m starting all over a state-wide Tom was in his 40’s and had the tests! again. I think to myself, who come to Nicolet College for a Coalition that goes back to school at 47 to new start. He had dropped In May of 2012, Tom gradu- start a new career? It’s fun for supports out of school in Illinois after ated with his GED. His fami- th me to go to school and learn. volunteer adult 8 grade and then spent the ly traveled to Rhinelander Every day that I talk to you or next 20 years working the for the momentous day. John Bates or my teachers, I’m and family carnival circuit. Eventually, What a treat for his mom to proud of myself for doing this.” literacy Tom decided that he wanted watch him finally complete

services. to go back to school, but his high school at the age of low reading level was a frus- 46?! “I loved walking across This is the gift tration to him. All that the stage to get my GED!” of literacy! changed for Tom as he Tom said.

The Literacy Task Force of Northern Wisconsin relies solely upon donations to support literacy needs in northern Wisconsin. Your $15 per person membership and other donations are used for workshops and presentations, informational literature, tutor training scholarships, tutoring materials and to support operating expenses for the organization. See website for more information. Literacy Task Force of Northern Wisconsin Page 3

Literacy Task Force of Northern Wisconsin Board of Directors

PRESIDENTIAL TEAM BOARD MEMBERS President Jan Evans Peggy Steber Jan is a retired teacher of students with learning disabilities Peggy is a recently retired school counselor after twenty- and a member of the Wisconsin Branch of The International eight years at MHLT Elementary School, Minocqua. She Dyslexia Association for many years. She has tutored stu- taught third, fourth, and fifth grades in West Allis and dents and trained in O/G, Project Read, Lindamood Bell, and Menomonie, Wisconsin. Peggy taught Title I reading for Wilson overview. Jan has two years of service as a master six years in corrections at Lincoln Hills School in Irma, teacher for the Literacy Task Force. 715-385-2318 (summer); Wisconsin. Peggy completed Orton Gillingham training in 608-868-3695 (winter); [email protected] Duluth, Minnesota in 1977 and again at Nicolet College in 2005. She received a BS in School Counseling from Julie Hagstrom UW-Stout. For the last two years, Peggy administered Julie is a tutor for the Disabilities Support Services Program GED and HSED testing for Nicolet College part time and and an Academic Success Instructor at Nicolet Area Tech- is now fully retired. nical College as well as a Vision Therapist at Buffington Op- (H) 715-277-2019 (C)715-367-2090 [email protected]. tometry. She and her husband, Fred, home educated their two children, now grown, for 12 years. Formerly a research Vice President technician at the Forestry Sciences Lab in Rhinelander, Julie Sara Adamovich holds a degree in Bacteriology from UW-Madison. She took Sara has been a special education teacher with the the literacy training course in 2009. (H) 715-277-3883 Northland Pines School District since 1998. She is cur- [email protected] rently the Learning Disabilities Special Education Teach- er at Eagle River Elementary School. Sara holds a BS in Donna Hejtmanek Special Education from UW-Oshkosh and a MSE from Donna is a Title I Teacher for the Northland Pines School UW-Stout. She is Wilson Reading System Level I and District. She taught special education for twenty-one years Level II certified and is an in-district Fundations and Just while living in the state of Illinois. She has training in Project Words presenter. Sara is in the final steps of becoming a Read and Is Wilson Reading System Level 1 certified. Donna Wilson Reading System in-district trainer. She is a Wil- holds a MS degree in Education from Northeastern Illinois son Reading System tutor to struggling readers of all University and in Educational Administration from Northern ages. She is a member of the International Dyslexic As- Illinois University. She is the director of Literacy Training for sociation, Wisconsin Branch of the International Dyslexic the Literacy Task Force. (H) 715-277-3105 (C) 715-573-0125 Association, Wisconsin State Reading Association. [email protected] (C) 715-614-5949 [email protected]

Vice President Kathleen Marshall Carol Lorbetske Kathleen is the Rhinelander-Northwoods Branch of AAUW Carol is a retired elementary school teacher from the (American Association of University Women) Three Lakes School District. She completed the literacy representative on the Task Force. AAUW helps with fundrais- training course in 2010 and is an active tutor to two ing for the Task Force. (H) 715-277-2664 young adults. [email protected] (H) 715-272-1434 [email protected] Bob Steber Secretary Bob is a recently retired faculty member and case manager Bonnie Margitan for Nicolet Area Technical College’s Disability Student Ser- Bonnie is a retired elementary teacher from MHLT Ele- vices. Bob has worked as a transition specialist for high mentary School in Minocqua. She completed the begin- school students with disabilities with disabilities for over twen- ning level literacy training in 2005, the advanced level ty-four years. 715-277-2019 [email protected] training in 2007, and tutors students in the Minocqua area. In April ‘06 Bonnie was hired under grant monies to Lisa Young assist with the coordination of the task force, with a pri- Lisa has a Bachelor’s Degree from Steven’s Point and a Mas- mary focus on training/services for adults. ter’s Degree from Capella University. She has taught at Ni- (H) 715-356-6889, [email protected] colet College since 1997 as an Adult Basic Education instruc- tor and teaches the General College Introduction to Reading Treasurer and Study Skills, as well as integrating basic skills into the Connie Hicks Early Childhood and Business programs. Connie is the Applied Technology instructor at Gogebic Community College where she also teaches develop- Kim Schey-Scuglik mental English and math. She has a degrees in Tech- Kim holds an associate Degree from Nicolet Area Technical nical Accounting from Nicolet; a BS in Natural Science College, a Bachelor of Science and a Master’s Degree from from Northland College, and Masters of UW-LaCrosse. She has worked full-time at Nicolet Area Tech- Science and Mathematics with computer emphasis from nical College since 2001 and part-time for the college prior to the University of Wisconsin, River Falls. Connie complet- that. She teaches General College Intro to Writing, Intro to ed both the beginning and advanced level literacy train- Reading and Study Skills, Integrated ABE Reading and Math ings in 2007. (W) 906-932-4231; (H) 715-762-3574; for IT classes, and works with students in the Academic Suc- email (school year only): [email protected] cess Lab. Literacy Task Force of Northern Wisconsin

Advanced Literacy Training

Professional development opportunity for teachers and volunteer tutors.

The Literacy Task Force of Northern Wisconsin and Nicolet College are teaming up to offer a three-day Advanced Literacy Training course for teachers and volunteer tutors. This thorough and engaging program builds on the fundamental of the Orton-Gillingham mul- ti-sensory structured language method presented in the introductory literacy course. Filled with practical approaches based on docu- mented best practices, the Advanced Literacy Training workshop is essential for anyone who works with students who read, write, and spell beyond an introductory level. As part of the hands-on workshop, participants will observe model lessons and prepare sample lesson plans.

Instructor: Marcia K. Henry, Ph.D. COURSE DETAILS: Dr. Marcia K Henry, Professor Emerita from San Jose State University and Fulbright Scholar, is a well-known literacy figure who has written numerous August 12 - 14, 2013 (3 days) articles and books on reading and spelling, including Unlocking Literacy: Monday and Tuesday 8 am—4 pm Effective Decoding and Spelling Instruction. She is the co-author of Patterns Wednesday, 8 am—2 pm for Success in Reading and Spelling. Dr. Henry is a consultant to Scottish Rite Children’s Learning Centers across the East and Midwest, fellow in the Nicolet College, Rhinelander Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practioners and Educators, a past president of Northwoods Center—207 the International Dyslexia Association, and was a member of the Governor’s Fee: $150 per person Read to Lead Task Force. She has been an outstanding teacher and mentor ($82.79 if 62 or older) Class #10387 in previous training courses offered by the task force, and we are delighted

to have her back. Graduate Credit Prerequisite: Successful completion of an introductory course in the Orton- One (1) graduate credit is available Gillingham based multisensory structured language method is a prerequisite through for an additional fee of $110 per person. for this workshop. Previous coursework in the Wilson, Slingerland, Barton or other Orton-Gillingham based programs would satisfy the prerequisite. Register by phone with a credit card: For more information: Contact Marcia Henry: 715-747-6845 or Peggy Steber: 715-277-2019 715-365-4493 or 800-544-3039 ext. 4493

Check us out on the Web! Follow us on Twitter: www.literacytaskforce.org @LiteracyMission

The Literacy Task Force of Northern Wisconsin would like to thank the following businesses and organizations for their generous donations and contributions over the years:

Businesses Packaging Corporation of America Pukall Lumber Foundation Prince of Peach Lutheran Church Arnott Plumbing and Heating River Valley State Bank St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation AAUW Rhinelander Branch Associated Bank U.S. Bank Tomahawk Star Foundation Rhinelander Rotary Club Augie’s Collectivels WalMart Supercenter, Minocqua/ Wisconsin Technical College System St. Matthias Episcopal Church Rhinelander Berkelman Metalworks, Inc. Tomahawk Optimist Club Wells Fargo Bank Commitment to Learning, LLC Organizations/Clubs Wisconsin Literacy, Inc. Wisconsin Public Service Eagle River Publications Beta Sigma Phi Epsilon Gamma

England Realty Kiwanis Club of Rhinelander All donations are tax deductible. Do- Foundations/Grants First National Bank, Park Falls Lakeland Area Kiwanis nations will be used to fund tuition Cardiovascular Association Foundation Forest County Potawatomi Community Lakeland Rotary scholarships, literacy training, re- Community Mental Health Foundation Harley Davidson, Tomahawk Lioness Club, Manitowish Waters source materials for trainees, parents Mid Wisconsin Bank Trust Midwest Connect Ministry Health care and person of low literacy, and in- LDF Area Improvement Association struction/tutoring. Please visit our Marshfield Clinic Nokomis Chapter NSDAR Nicolet Promotions website or contact a member if you’d M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank Oneida County Tavern League North Lakeland Elementary School like to make a tax deductible donation. Northwoods National Bank Foundation Oneida Co. Deputy Sheriff’s Assoc.