THE PUBLIC MIND: INSTRUCTOR SAYS TEACHING LITERACY IS MORE THAN ABCs

To the Editor:

Thank you for printing the editorial by George Will on illiteracy. We, at the Adult Learning Center, help people everyday learn to read. It is true these adults are embarrassed and have a low self-esteem. However, our staff and many outstanding literacy volunteer tutors help these students overcome these feelings.

As I tell my volunteer tutors teaching your student to read is only one of your jobs. Helping the student feel good about himself is part of the lesson too.

Walking into our classroom is one of the hardest things they have to do. However, after starting classes our students walk taller, smile more often and are anxious to practice reading words they see on posters and signs. That is literacy!

Terri Hirsch

Literacy Coordinator

Adult Learning Center

Cape Girardeau