Freedom Writers Forum - November 14th!

ABC’s of Literacy:
Acting for a Better Community

From Freedom Schools
To Freedom Writers

November 14, 2007

9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Julia Davis Library
Natural Bridge Road

How do the voices of those who took risks to teach & learn reading
& writing in the past connect to our voices today?
What is Freedom? Who speaks of Freedom and for what purpose?
Freedom from what and Freedom for what?
Explore these questions and add your own voice to this critical issue
as we move from Freedom Schools to Freedom Writers.


To register or for more information, call Maggie by November 12th at:
(800) 729-4443 ext. 207.

Lauren's Conference Reflections

Name of Conference: MAACCE
Conference Dates: June 20-22, 2007

General Comments: The entire conference was very energetic.

Specific Workshops I attended were:
1.) After School Share Point, Part 1 & 2
2.) Popular Education, Part 1 & 2
3.) If There Is a Will! There Is a Way!
4.) Archie Bunker’s Neighborhood

Beginning with my first choice: After School Share Point. This session, which consisted of two parts, left its best impression on me because the facilitators would pose questions to the audience and then their answers would become the forum for further discussion. It was a clever way of creating an interactive environment that provided real solutions and new ideas.

The Popular Ed Modules were very insightful. The part that left the biggest impression on me was when we drew out our learning environments and hung them up to give one another a “step into my world” experience. I would liken it to Show and Tell. I was very surprised at the extent of help and support that was provided by some sites.

The next session that I attended was the presentation: If There Is a Will! There Is a Way! I was not impressed. I felt as though I was in a one sided conversation; there was no sharing or question time. The session seemed to consist of the speaker speaking at me about everything that she did. There were no compare and contrasts, no object lessons, and no real time subjects that you could compare what she did. Not! Good! This was a lesson in what not to do.

My final session was: Archie Bunker’s Neighborhood. How much fun was that?!
This session was just about as interactive as you could get. There were roles to be played. There were tactile activities and manipulatives. There was interaction throughout. The discussion after the activity was from my perspective, “real time, real world” talk.

My experience was very informational. I was able to experience what worked and what didn’t. The guest speakers were motivational as well as informative. The meals and the people I spent time with were nice too!

I walked away with a lot.

Name of Conference: PTA National Convention
Conference Dates: June 28 – July 1, 2007

General Comments: This conference literally radiated energy, excitement, liveliness and unification. Their theme was, “Every Child, One Voice.”

Specific Workshops I attended were:
1.) How to Develop an Integrated Communications Plan -Presented by, Larry Powell
2.) Lights! Camera! Leaders! -Presented by, Arnold Shapiro
3.) Reaching Out - Presented by Bob Witherspoon
4.) Engaging Highly Mobile Students and Families -Presented by, Aurelio M. Montemayor

The first session that I attended was: How to Develop an Integrated Communications Plan. This session was very strategic in its format. The strategic structure was helpful because everyone was made aware of the direction we would be going during our attendance in this workshop. We were provided with an agenda, which denoted all of the activities which consisted of challenges and solutions. Each activity involved one aspect of the plan. The key components were: goals, strategies, objectives, and tactics. We were placed into groups and as we covered each topic we would complete a group activity which would show how each component was applicable. This session was obviously well thought and planned out. At the conclusion of our session we still had time for questions, answers, and resource information.


The second presentation that I attended was hosted by Mr. Arnold Shapiro. Lights! Camera! Leaders! This was presented using relevant parallels between show business and our business. He used a lot of relatable stories of success and setbacks. Here are some statements and commentaries that left an impression on me. Mr. Shapiro made some statements such as “your success is not measured by someone else’s ruler”, and, “leaders are not born they’re grown.”

He then proceeded to recite a list of qualities that we should always keep fresh in our minds that would help us to recognize leaders in our midst. Some examples were enthusiasm, determination, commitment, caring, character, compassion, courage and confidence, charisma, creativity, credibility, communicative, and finally they are TENACIOUS. Through Mr. Shapiro’s commentary it’s reassuring to know that ethics, integrity, and leadership can still go hand in hand. He challenged us to stay mindful regarding the impact we have through what we present by asking ourselves, “Is my influence positive, negative, or neutral?” “Is my conscience bothering me?” “Would this attract respect and admiration?” Mr. Shapiro spoke about influences on followership: trust, obedience, knowing right from wrong and peacefully solving issues. When you’ve learned to follow then you can learn to lead. With that being said; leaders will and should: 1.) Lead by example. 2.) Have a vision and hope. 3.) Motivate and inspire. 4.) Communicate with consistency and clarity. 5.) Be honest. 6.) Always set goals. And finally; 7.) Be an innovative problem solver. As you can see, this particular session had a huge impact on me personally. In turn I see this session benefiting me and others in my professional encounters presently and in the future.

The third session that I attended was: Reaching Out! This was a very different type of presentation. The person who conducted this session didn’t seem to be very well prepared. There were no handouts. There was no visual presentation. The sound system was not functioning properly. The person simply spoke of the difficulties in approaching someone and what he, the speaker, thought you should do in certain instances. This experience left me very bewildered and disappointed. Another example in what you shouldn’t do.

My final session was: Make the connection: Engaging Highly Mobile Students and Families. In contrast to my third session this session was flooded with information. Flooded with visual / power point programming. Flooded with handouts, directories, and published materials. Flooded with interactive role playing other activities. Flooded with lots of sharing and insight. There is nothing wrong with any of the aspects of this session, but, too much of ‘everything’ is bad. Mr. Montemayor could have had a very active and thought provoking session had he kept the mindset that less is more.

Overall my experience was educational and informational as well as instrumental and motivating. Each time I am given the opportunity to attend one of these events I walk away having gained so much.

Reflection on the MAACCE Conference and the National PTA Conference: My Conclusion

As I conclude my summaries on MAACCE and The PTA there are patterns that I’ve noted.

The first item: aesthetics are important because they seem to be the initial catalyst that energizes your audience. Respectively I am mindful that our main responsibilities probably don’t include this area of concern, but, our appearance could be categorized within this area. It’s important that we represent our student strand in a manner that would make all feel welcome and comfortable.

The second item: Making checklists for media, supplies, printed materials, and a plan B can be helpful and effective resources to aid in proactivity. Comforts such as complimentary notepaper, pens, water, mints or other hard candies might be nice as well.

The third item: We should have more information than we need and be prepared not to use it. Regarding the unused information; we should have a table to place the information and resources that we have available to our audience upon their exit. By doing this we can be assured that we have ample time to cover the most important points of our sessions. Also this would alot for ample audience participation as well. Those who would need more info and resources would be provided for at the table.

The fourth item: Talk to people not at people. As you choose your topic make them relatable and parallel to today’s issues and let your audience voice their concerns. Don’t presume nor assume anything stick to participants statements and available facts. Encourage interaction. If you don’t know the answer; say so.

Most importantly stay enthusiastic, and have fun.

It is my hope that these observations and suggestions are useful and helpful in attaining our goals at C.O.A.B.E. Thank you.

Dwight’s Reflections

MAACCE Conference 2007

I don't quite know if it is where I am in life or exactly what it is. I left that conference in awe, of all that was said and done. Every speaker came with his or her own message. It was message of encouragement, dedication, facts/realities, inspiration, and motivation to keep the fight an on-going fight. To let the world know that we have JUST gotten started. I left there thinking I wanted to be a part of this fight. Because I am one of those people have benefited every day from this work.




VALUE Leadership Institute 2007

VALUE was unlike any conference I have ever attended. The uniqueness was that everyone in positions of power and on committees was the same: we were all adult learners. We had all gone back to school in our adulthood. Knowing this gave me an ease that I had not known before in a conference setting. It was liberating, there was no airs you had to put on. That tells me as long as I am true to myself and keep it real the sky is the limit in terms of reaching my goals. I'm forever changed because of that experience at VALUE.

Freedom School Photos

Here are a few photos from the Freedom School Workshop back in July.

We had a discussion about modern examples of people breaking the law to stand up for something they believed in.

Christina in front of one of the Old Courthouse displays. (sorry, I can't figure out how to post this vertically.)

Visiting the Freedom School classroom at the Old Courthouse

Our tour began in the rotunda of the Old Courthouse.

Educating For Change Curriculum Fair

Freedom Schools Interactive Workshop

Freedom Schools Interactive Workshop

July 18, 2007

9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Old Courthouse
St. Louis City

Adult Literacy Education has a long history in St. Louis…

Join us to learn more about the Freedom Schools – secret classes that were held in churches and basements and on steamboats in the Mississippi River during the 1800’s before the Civil War.



During this time, a state law restricted the freedom of African Americans by making it illegal for anyone to teach African American people to read and write. Despite this law, people taught and learned within these Freedom Schools.

There is no cost for this workshop but space is limited.

Participants MUST Register.

To register or for more information, call Maggie by July 13th at:

(800) 729-4443 ext. 207.

ABC’s of Literacy:

Acting for a Better Community

Reflections III

The Importance of My Life Relationship With Friends
Rochell Jones
The type of childhood I had either showed me how to be positive or how to be negative, my future depended on these aspects. My friends didn’t realize the imprints they left on me as a child talking negative, skipping school, doing thing that weren’t positive. I knew that their negativity was causing negative situations in my life. Unfortunately, my friends and I didn’t understand as children that following directions would help us to achieve our goals, bring financial resources, and changes for the better in our lives. It’s not that my friends and I didn’t know or understand the concept of doing right, we were just that free to be who we were at that point in time. Therefore, we needed mentors in our lives to be able to understand what life had to offer. As I got older I thought on the positive, I reminisce on those positive thoughts. I changed and made my situation better for my life and enrolled in college. I decided to become a nurse at a young age and this was a road that I choose to take.

I was burdened as a child by the negative aspect of my friends and that pained me. My friends would say that I would not accomplish anything, but in my mind I knew that I was something special. The more they talked, the more I would better myself. I left home at an early age of 17, I needed something more and my family wasn’t giving it to me. At this point in my life I knew no one could hold me back. There was a bigger world out for me. I thought outside of the box my family was trying to put me in. I let God guild my foot steps and I knew it was him because on my own I had not accomplished nothing, but with prayer and God’s strength I knew that I could achieve anything.

I knew my future was not all on point without any type of mentor in my life. Things that I wanted to accomplish had become a reality. I prayed for God to send positive people in my life and mentors that would help me to stay more focused on any given situation. God answered my prayer and my life generated positive people, money, children, a husband, and schooling. Negativity was still riding with me because of my past, I was missing my friends that were doing all the negative talking to me as a child, but I couldn’t let this stand in my way so I took charge of the negative thoughts. I knew that it was going to be hard work but I remained focused and I came out on top of every situation I encountered.

Reflections II

Thinking Creatively
Dwight F. Johnson

How do you think creatively?
When do you think creatively?
Why do you think creatively?
Are the questions.

In order for me to think creatively I must use my imagination. I mean by this using the act or the faculty of imagining. The ability to form mental images. This is creativety, imagination.

I think creatively every second, minute, and hour of the day. There is always something that needs to be done. There are so many places to go and also people to meet. Also looking at creativity from another angel. Would be things we haven't done or places we haven't been. Are even people we haven't met. One thing about it we are always thinking creatively.

I really don't know why we think creatively. There is one thing I can say is that the brain is divinely made. It can do anything it wants to do once the mind is made up. It may be good, sad, or indifferent.

We must be creative in our everyday life. If we don't we won't be able to get anything done. Out of all 365 days of the year, there is not one day the same. Each day we are creating whether you know it or not. Thinking creatively helps me to see that there is always more. And it also helps you move from one level of life to the next. "What a very great divine gift"!

Reflections

Regarding Valued Qualities
Lauren Lawson.
I sat down and looked at the list of topics given to me. I’ve decided to write on the topic: kindness to strangers.

I’m not sure that kindness to strangers is a valued quality per se, more so that is an innate ability held by few. There is a cliché that still rings true,”The first impression is the only impression.” I do my best to stay aware that I have the potential to be the defining factor influencing a decision involving another person and their subsequent future.

It is my opinion that the ability to show genuine kindness is a quality which is innate. While it may not be an exclusive trait, and it can be learned through example, one should be cautious when discerning who presents the best example to follow. One should be wary of the self serving opportunist. And who might that be? You ask. The person who anxiously jumps in to help only after calculating that their actions will surely be recognized and applauded.

I am my best example of what can occur when kindness from a stranger is given and received. When I was younger I was at the lowest part of my life. I was, as a consequence of my own poor choices, alone and broken in body and spirit. I had no hope. I had nothing. I had no respect for myself nor for my life. I was a failure. I was homeless, hopeless, and unemployed. Suicide seemed to be a very logical solution. I began my plan.

I never expected what occurred next. An acquaintance of mine set me up; he introduced me to his aunt. He knew full well what would occur when I met her. This woman, who knew nothing about me, took me into her home. I call her, “My Divine Intervention.” Her name was
Ms. Louise. She saved me from myself. She took me into her home knowing that I had nothing to give her in return. Ms. Louise announced,”The first thing she was “gonna” heal was my spirit.” In the beginning I was very unappreciative. I was an ingrate at best. I took advantage of her kindness. I gave Ms. Louise every opportunity to give up on me because,” I wasn’t worth the trouble.” Ms. Louise never swayed she remained steadfast. All the while she would cleverly plant little seeds of hope, wisdom, and encouragement. I laughed at Ms. Louise when she would say I was, “gonna blossom and be the biggest bloom in her garden.” Ms. Louise’s unconditional caring, kindness, and support finally broke my indignant attitude down. I had finally reached a point, through Ms. Louise’s diligence, where I saw a way up and out. My amazing transition began.

Today I am still a work in progress. Today I have hope. I am still learning new ways to love me for who I am. I am always taking the opportunity to affirm that I am worth the trouble and that my potential is infinite. You see in me what can occur when kindness is given and received. Although I received Ms. Louise’s help shamefully in the beginning; in the end I was filled with immense gratitude. Ms. Louise gave me guidance and direction that helped me to soar. She genuinely loved helping people and it was visible. Sadly she died doing what she loved. She died at the hands of someone she was trying to help. I miss her counsel and presence greatly. She was one of a genuine few.

As you can see, through my experience, the impact of a first encounter with someone can potentially be the genesis of an amazing transition. For others it may be as simple as the opportunity to plant a seed. Simple acts of kindness can supersede any social barrier. It is my hope “to tend my garden” as lovingly as Ms. Louise.

Meeting Photos

Here are some photos from our June 8th meeting and from the orientation:


Becky, Rochell, and Caroline













Dwight and Lauren






Carlotta










Maggie










Marcia and Dwight










Ora










Mary Ann








Sarah and Lauren

Video production

Please insert in time line:

Organizing for Change: Adult literacy Education
St. Louis, Missouri

Documentary producer: Rebecca Rogers, Associate Professor
University of Missouri St. Louis

Video production completed
May 2006

Student Leadership and Literacy Community Timeline

Student Leadership and Literacy Community Timeline
The process of building student leadership: conferences, forums, and workshops

ABC’s of Literacy Conference
Acting for a Better Community
Presented by the ABC’s Planning Committee

Regional Conference, Webster University
March 11 & 12, 2004

Community Action Forum
Opening remarks: Terry Jones
Political Science, University of Missouri

Julia Davis Library
November 16, 2004

ABC Forum Facilitators Training
Trainers: Marcia Hayes-Harris, Even Start Coordinator
Sarah Beaman-Jones, Literacy Program Developer

AEL Central Office
March 9, 2005

Literacy Community Workshop
Opening remarks: Rebecca Rogers
Education, Washington University

St. Louis Public Library Central West
March 15, 2005

Student Leadership Workshop
Facilitators: Marcia Hayes-Harris, Even Start Coordinator
Jason Murphy, Philosophy, St. Louis University
Ora Lewis, AEL Master Teacher

Julia Davis Library
May 19, 2005

Letter Writing Workshop
Facilitator: Mary Ann Kramer, AEL Literacy Coordinator

St. Louis Public Library Central West
June 2, 2005

ABC’s Of Literacy
Presenters: Mary Ann Kramer, AEL Literacy Coordinator
Caroline Mitchell, Director of YMCA Literacy Programs
Maggie Dyer, ESOL and Research Associate
Sarah Beaman-Jones, Literacy Program Developer

MAACCE Pre-Conference
TanTar A, Lake of the Ozarks
June 22, 2005

Value Leadership Training
Trainers: Marty Finsterbusch, Director of VALUE
Will Grant, VALUE trainer

LIFT-Missouri, Westport Campus
June 28 & 29, 2005

Public Speaking Workshop
Facilitators: Marcia Hayes-Harris, Even Start Coordinator
Ora Lewis, AEL Master Teacher
Caroline Mitchell, Director of YMCA Literacy Programs

Project Even Start
September 8, 2005

Community Action Forum
Following VALUE problem solving model

St. Louis Public Library Central West
October 18, 2005

Student Council
Facilitator: Mary Ann Kramer, AEL Literacy Coordinator
Marcia Hayes-Harris, Even Start Coordinator

AEL Central Office
December 8, 2005

Student Leadership Forum
Presenters: Adult Education Students

St. Louis Public Library Central West
April 12, 2006




ABC’s Of Literacy Conference II
Acting for a Better Community
Presented by the ABC’s Planning Committee

Regional Conference, Webster University
May 18 & 19, 2006

Student Leadership and Advocacy
Presenters: Maggie Dyer, ESOL and Research Associate
Ora Lewis, AEL Master Teacher
Caroline Mitchell, Director of YMCA Literacy Programs
Mary Ann Kramer, AEL Literacy Coordinator
Sarah Beaman-Jones, Literacy Program Developer

MAACCE Conference
TanTar A, Lake of the Ozarks
June 23, 2006

Educating For Change
Presentation of student projects

Curriculum Fair, International Institute
September 30, 2006

Organizing for Change Forum I
Facilitator: Marcia Hayes-Harris, Even Start Coordinator

Harris Stowe University
October 18, 2006

Organizing for Change Forum II
Presenters: Maggie Dyer, ESOL and Research Associate
Sarah Beaman-Jones, Literacy Program Developer
Adult Education Students

St. Louis Community College at Meramec
December 12, 2006

Organizing for Change: Literacy Education in St. Louis
Presenters: Ora Lewis, AEL Master Teacher
Caroline Mitchell, Director of YMCA Literacy Programs
Mary Ann Kramer, AEL Literacy Coordinator
Sarah Beaman-Jones, Literacy Program Developer

COABE Conference
March 27, 2007



Organizing for Change Forum III
Presenters: Forest Park Community College Faculty

St. Louis Community College at Forest Park
April 5, 2007



Intern Orientation
Presenters: Maggie Dyer, ESOL and Research Associate
Carlotta Algee-Stancil, Adult Outreach, St. Louis Public Library
Caroline Mitchell, Director of YMCA Literacy Programs
Mary Ann Kramer, AEL Literacy Coordinator
Sarah Beaman-Jones, Literacy Program Developer

LIFT-Missouri
May 18, 2007

Welcome

The ABC's of Literacy Project works to promote awareness about adult literacy programs in the St. Louis metro area. The ABC's of Literacy is a joint project of LIFT-MO and the Literacy Roundtable.The project grew out of the first ABC's of Literacy Conference in 2004. Since that time we have conducted several forums a year and a second ABC's of Literacy Conference in 2006. Later we'll post a timeline of our events. This year three interns who are current students or graduates of local adult education programs will be joining our committee and helping us plan for this year's events. Keep checking here to read about our activities and upcoming events!