SPOKES Teachers Attend Retreat at Tygart Lake
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
NETWORKS 1 West Virginia’s Summer 2005 Literacy and Adult Education Newsletter Networks SPOKES teachers attend retreat at Tygart Lake By David Hollingsworth, DHHR special services coordinator On April 21 and 22, SPOKES (Strategic Planning in Occupational Knowledge for Employment and Success) ABE teachers from around the state met at Tygart Lake State Park outside of Grafton, WV to participate in the second annual retreat to discuss issues and plan for program improvement. Teachers from the 15 SPOKES classes in West Virginia spent nearly two full days and evenings sharing “best practices,” discussing curriculum materials and delivery styles, and reviewing proper programmatic procedures. They enjoyed learning and sharing experiences with a few invited guests. Beth Vass-Lutz, state adult education coordi- SPOKES teachers “enjoying” best practices. nator, and David Hollingsworth, RESA III coordinator for educational services specifically for DHHR, presided over the two-day retreat. Education and Workforce Development, pro- One guest speaker, Idress Gooden from RESA vided a workshop on the WorkKeys test and its VII, shared with the participants her views and correlation with the Key Train program, a insights on the culture of poverty, based upon computer-based curriculum designed for work- the Ruby Payne book and training series, A place academics. Framework for Understanding Poverty. The final activity was a panel from the Dr. Robin Asbury, also from RESA VII, Department of Health and Human Resources discussed the three levels of certification with (DHHR) — the “parent” agency that provides emphasis on requirements for awarding the top, the funding for the SPOKES program as well as work-readiness certificate. This certificate is referrals for 95 percent of the students assigned awarded to participants who have near-perfect to SPOKES classes. WV Office of Family Support attendance, prove an efficiency of 80 percent or specialist Mike Lobert, three regional program better on all curricular components, and score a managers, and two local county supervisors with minimum of level 4 on the three WorkKeys tests they take. Continued on page 20 Debbie Varner, the assistant director for Adult Glen Tacy demonstrates team-building skills Inside this issue during the retreat. From the editor 2 SPOKES 2, 14 Upcoming conferences 4, 19 Resources 11 Student writing 12-14 Teacher/tutor tips 15, 18 2 NETWORKS Whoever said that summer was the time for rest NETWORKS is a quarterly collaborative publication prepared by: and relaxation obviously did not work in adult Literacy West Virginia education and literacy. Wow! So many things are WV Adult Education Association, Inc. in store for us as we look ahead toward the WV Department of Education summer months. Even though many of our classes take time off, our dedicated teachers and NETWORKS is funded by the WVDOE. No endorsements of the tutors stay busy by attending conferences, newsletter contents made by the WVDOE or the USDOE should be taking on new responsibilities, and planning for inferred. Please address all correspondence to the appropriate the start of the new school year. Administrators contributing editor: are busy restructuring duties and responsibili- Kathy Hollingsworth, Editor-in-Chief ties to assure continuation of quality programs RESA III • 501 22nd Street • Dunbar, WV 25064 for the coming fiscal year. So the next few [email protected] months will continue to be busy — and perhaps Contributing Editors: overwhelming — as we try to fit everything in. From the editor From But, when our enthusiasm wavers, we need Pam Bryan, Literacy West Virginia to take a break. What better time of year to do RESA III • 501 22nd Street • Dunbar, WV 25064 [email protected] this than during the summer? If you have a vacation planned, pack something small and Marie Jones, ABE Instruction special, just for you. If you have no plans for a RESA III • 501 22nd Street. • Dunbar, WV 25064 travel vacation, take one in your own backyard. [email protected] Spend an hour in your garden or sit down with Wanda Matt, Even Start and Family Literacy a good book and a glass of lemonade. These WV DOE • Capitol Complex, Bldg. 6 things are as important as working — in fact, in 1900 Kanawha Blvd., E. • Charleston, WV 25305 the long run, they can make you more produc- [email protected] tive. Making time for small pleasures is the best Melissa Aguilar, Governor’s Workforce Investment Division way to revitalize your spirit. In fact, you will Governor’s Workforce Investment Division • Capitol Complex, Bldg. return to your tasks with renewed energy and 6 • 1900 Kanawha Blvd., E. • Charleston, WV 25305 your ideas will begin to flow. [email protected] So, as the old cliché says, stop and smell the Cathy Shank, Program/Policy roses. And have a wonderful summer! RESA III • 501 22nd Street • Dunbar, WV 25064 [email protected] Connie Moore, Governor’s Council on Literacy WV DOE • 1900 Kanawha Blvd., E. • Charleston, WV 25305 [email protected] Kathy Winter-Hollingsworth Ellen Killion, Special Programs/ESL Editor RESA III • 501 22nd Street • Dunbar, WV 25064 [email protected] Christina Harper, DHHR Services ABE/SPOKES program to RESA III • 501 22nd Street • Dunbar, WV 25064 [email protected] expand in FY 2006! Edie Jett, WVAEA, Inc. The West Virginia Department of Monongalia County Career Center • 1000 Mississippi Street Morgantown, WV 26506 Health and Human Resources [email protected] (DHHR) Office of Family Support, has made a commitment to the State Ed Hicks, Public Service Training Department of Education, Office of Adult WV DOE • 1900 Kanawha Blvd., E. • Charleston, WV 25305 Education and Workforce Development, to [email protected] renew the WV Works contract for the statewide SPOKES (Strategic Planning in Occupational 1-800-642-2670 Knowledge for Employment Success) job- readiness program. Copy Editing, Design, Layout • Colleen Anderson Mother Wit In fact, because of ABE’s outstanding perfor- Writing & Design mances and statistical data, DHHR has invited Printed by Color Craft Printing Continued on page 3 NETWORKS 3 Governor’s Council on Literacy announces winners of the promising practices/strategies competition By Connie Moore, Governor’s Council contributing editor The Governor’s Council on Literacy “Consumerism Across the Curriculum” sponsored a competition to highlight submitted by James Rumsey Technical Insti- promising practices/strategies tute. This strategy/practice is to offer encour- among adult basic education (ABE) agement to students who are returning to school and literacy service providers throughout the by participating in “mini lessons” that allow the state. These programs have created and imple- students to establish a practice of using acquired mented innovative techniques and strategies and experiential learning. These lessons help to into their curriculum that clearly indicates the get the mind/brain ready to learn. dedication of literacy providers. “Winning the Interview,” submitted by Although all of the submissions were top- RESA V. Through extensive verbal practice and notch, only six could be selected. The following writing exercises, this strategy/practice teaches are the winners of this year’s competition. students about different interview questions and “Can I Help You” submitted by Literacy how to respond to them, thereby increasing self- West Virginia. This strategy/practice is to confidence and promoting a better understand- facilitate discussion with staff at WorkForce WV ing of the interview process. Career Centers and increase sensitivity and “Self-Evaluation” submitted by RESA V. response to specific needs of customers who This strategy/practice is designed to have have low-level literacy skills. students complete a one-page self-evaluation “Activities for Diversity Module” submitted form on their own performance for the week. by Roane Jackson Technical Center (SPOKES). Each student learns responsibility and self- This strategy/practice is to promote a dialogue reliance through examination of his/her own about diversity and create an awareness of behavior and accomplishments. prejudices that can cause feelings of superiority. Each of these programs will receive $100 for “Reductions and the Real World” submitted supplies/materials. They will also be recognized by Berkeley County Schools. This strategy/ at the Salute to Lifelong Learning ceremony in practice is designed to empower ESL learners to July and asked to present their practice/strategy understand local speech styles and accents by at the West Virginia Adult Education Associa- introducing both proper grammar and pronun- tion Conference in September. ciation along with local dialect. for several months before moving to another site ABE/SPOKES within that region. Continued from page 2 To date, the SPOKES classes have served over 1,000 WV Works customers. In addition to the adult education unit to submit an increase in preparing all participants with job-readiness their proposal in order to expand the SPOKES skills, other measured outcomes include the program to additional counties. In a year during successes of students who have gained employ- which funding for adult basic education has ment or entered post-secondary training pro- been reduced, or at best remained at the same grams as a result of their participation in the level, the state and regional ABE staff were quite SPOKES class. relieved to hear this great news! The new proposal, which the ABE unit of the Currently, there are 13 full-time SPOKES Department of Education will submit for the 2006 classes and two regions sponsoring classes on a fiscal year, will allow the SPOKES program to “roving” basis. These roving classes are offered expand to an additional ten or eleven counties, in a county for a minimum of six to eight weeks. providing the opportunity to serve between 800 In some instances, classes remain at a location and 1,000 additional WV Works participants. 4 NETWORKS Governor’s Council on Literacy and Literacy Foundation grant awards announced By Kathy Hollingsworth, grant committee staff liaison Each year the Governor’s Council on their program until they have achieved their Literacy, in collaboration with the goals.