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I would like to introduce learner Jay Jay Dungan and her tutor Katherine Hales. They started working together in April. It's remarkable how much Jay Jay has accomplished in those 6 months! When I interviewed Jay Jay last winter her goal was to read and write at the college level. She had just enrolled in Adult Basic Education classes at Whatcom Community College (WCC) and wanted a tutor to help her with homework. This fall Jay Jay entered WCC as a college student and is on her way to reaching her long term goal of becoming a counselor to at-risk children.
Jay Jay
What motivated you to contact us?
I had the desire to be able to read better and to go to school. I knew there were more life experiences if I learned how to read, and I wanted to experience them.
What are you currently working on with your tutor?
We are currently working on computer skills, reading a book for pleasure (which I've never done before!) and college homework.
What goals have you accomplished and/or plan to accomplish in working with your tutor?
One of the main things I've accomplished was being able to read at college level with comprehension. My main goal was to set out to be able to read and write anything that I wanted to, and to understand it. Another goal that I had was to read the New Testament and I accomplished that. I want to be able to have confidence enough to succeed in college.
What do you want to be doing 10 years from now?
I want to be on a mission with my church wherever that takes me, here or abroad. Hopefully I will be able to work with juveniles in the court system.
Why is the Literacy Council important to you and the community?
The Literacy Council opened my eyes up to a world that I really didn't have any hope to see. The Literacy Council made it so that I know that I can learn and built my confidence up to be able to do what I'm doing today, as a college student at Whatcom Community College. I think that the Literacy Council is an important thing to the community because they educate people and bring them to a better quality of life.
What advice would you give other adults seeking literacy support?
Just do it. You'll be surprised what opens up to you. Once you learn to read you take control of your own life and your own destiny. Just overcome all your challenges and take the first step, it just takes a phone call.
Katherine
What have been some of the most challenging and rewarding aspects about being a tutor?
One of the most challenging and rewarding aspects working with Jay Jay has been how proactive she is about her own learning. She is very motivated and improves so quickly that sometimes it's hard to keep up! But one of the best things has been seeing how much confidence she has gained since we started working together. It's wonderful being a part of that.
Why is the Literacy Council important to you and the community?
Everyone deserves the knowledge, confidence and opportunities that come with literacy. The Whatcom Literacy Council is very beneficial to our community because it works to spread this essential skill. It also has provided great opportunities for me to meet new people and learn many new skills of my own.
What advice would you give someone who is just starting the tutoring process?
Always plan with and for your learner, and be flexible. The things that will be most beneficial to them often aren't the plans and activities you would come up with on your own.
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