Survey - Help Us Plot Our Course!

ABC’S of Literacy Survey - you can take the survey here:Click Here to take survey

The ABC's of Literacy promotes community awareness and participation in literacy efforts in the St. Louis Metro area through regional conferences, forums, adult learner leadership activities and internships, public actions, and professional development opportunities.

Please answer the following questions to help us determine next steps.

Have you ever participated in an ABC’s of Literacy Forum, Conference, or any other ABC’s activity?

_____ YES Why?

_____ NO Why not?


What type of forum or activity would you and/or your students be interested in participating?


What TOPICS are you interested in?


What FORMATS would you suggest? (discussion forums, field trip forums, class visits, training sessions, student rep groups or councils, etc. ?)


What DAYS and TIMES would be good?


What LOCATIONS would be accessible?




Thank you for your answers! You can leave your answers in the comments section or email your responses to mdyer@webster.edu. Our mailing address is: LIFT-MO, 815 Olive, Suite 22, St. Louis, MO 63101.

Educating For Change Curriculum Fair

4th ANNUAL EDUCATING FOR CHANGE CURRICULUM FAIR
DEFINING DEMOCRACY


Saturday, September 27th, 2008
9 am - 3 pm
University of Missouri-St. Louis
Marillac Hall

The event is sponsored by the Literacy for Social Justice Group, The Dean's Committee on Social Justice of the College of Education, UMSL, The Literacy Roundtable and LIFT-MO.

The theme of this year's fair is "Defining Democracy."

This year we are planning an exciting program including featured speaker, Dr. Kevin Kumashiro who is the Director of the Center for Anti-Oppressive Education.

Following Up

Hello everyone,

How the time has gone by, it's August already. I just wanted to make contact with everyone to see how we could come together on-line ,conference call or what ever. Let's throw some suggestions around to see how we can make the connection. In May we made some commitments that we have not followed through with. At that time I took everyone who made the commitment to mean what they said. We do understand that life always has a curve ball. However the reason for writing everyone is that we can get focused again.

What have you heard about the presidential candidates and their view on education?

Are you registered to vote?

What would you want to do to support our education efforts?

I really want to hear from you all. Thank You So Much for your time and efforts.

ABC's of LITERACY
intern: Dwight F. Johnson

P.S Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,

Reflections on COABE 08

My experience of the 2008 COABE Conference was awesome. I got to meet people from all over the world. This was my very first conference and one I will never forget. I especially enjoyed the classes designed for COABE students because, we were allowed to tell about our experience being students and how we can improve not just ourselves but the program as a whole. I was also intrigued to learn how much fun M&M’s can be in a math workshop. I enjoyed hearing different speakers from all over the United States, one in particular Mr. Ernest Best from Massachusetts. His story was most encouraging; he told how he too was a dropout and decided to go back to school. He earned two degree’s with a 4.0. I think that’s fantastic, not saying if Mr. Best could do it, anyone could. I just believe that there is hope. When a person tells a story and it reaches the soul of another person, that’s a start. It’s always good to hear about someone else’s struggle and how they made it through. Not only that, but
how he has hoped so many others including his assistant, Cindy.

Last but not least, our own Mr. Dwight Johnson gave a spectacular speech on his
experience as a student leader, and it was magnificent!!! I find that each time Dwight speaks, he tells a different story, one that is unique. Mr. Johnson’s experience seems to set fire to a lot of hearts and minds. People are inspired by not just how he gives a speech but the heart-felt story behind it. I call it a testimony which helps other overcome and know that there is something bigger than all of us. You see the conference has filled me up spiritually and mentally knowing how people give themselves in many ways to ensure literacy is a success through out the nation.


Jessica Billups

What A Year It Has Been!

What a year it has been! I would have never thought I would benefit so much. But all things must end. Nevertheless, what an ending! 2008 COABE Conference was different for me. Over the past year, I have attended three conferences and no less than twenty forums. At 2008 COABE. I observed such a dedication from administration, teachers, staff, and volunteers. I find that Literacy is not a passing thought, it is life. You have to live it. The 2008 COABE Conference actually is the beginning of the life of literacy for me. Thanks to all the passionate people who have dedicated their lives to literacy.. Speaking from a first timer’s point of view, or in my case as an intern, I did enjoy the conference. Yes, the first couple of forums/ conferences you are so overwhelmed with emotion to know that there are whole groups of people that care so much, that it is their life’s passion. One of the workshops I attended was Transitions: The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with the First Step. The speaker was Mr. Rick Marshall. The workshop was very informative with power points, handouts, even illustrations. For this workshop to have such an eye-grabbing topic, it was too surface, meaning he was telling his story, but it was nothing that would make him or any one else search deeper within. You felt like there was more. I believe most of class felt that way. There was one woman in our class who had a speech and hearing impairment. Her teacher had to interpret what she would say to the class. In addition, students from other countries and Americans dealing with all manors of situation poverty, health issues, and domestic violence and so on. I would really like to see that workshop again. When Mr. Rick is feeling vulnerable and transparent.

Dwight F. Johnson

Rally on Wednesday, April 30th

You are Invited .... Spread the Word!


Rally in Defense of Public Education!
Wednesday, April 30th -- 6 PM
Old Courthouse, 11 N. Fourth Street St. Louis, MO 63102 (stairs facing west)

Join local and national educators for a rally in defense of public education! Speakers, music, a declaration calling for action in defense of public education and more ...

Free, public education is the cornerstone of a democracy. Public education is under siege by those seeking to privatize it for profit. Together, we will call for a more equitable system of public education for all and ensure literacy as a basic civil right.

Organized by the Literacy for Social Justice Teacher Research Group and
the ABC's of Literacy Committee

BEING EMPOWERED

On March 13, 2008 it was a Thursday. The ABC round table sponsored a forum.
The theme was toast for change. We scheduled one in January, another one in
February. Because of reasons beyond our control both came to no avail.
So it was decided, for what ever reason the students could not come to the forums.
We would go to them. The first one was on the 11th of March, at the YMCA
Literacy Council. I understand the forum went very well. Because of my schedule I could not make that one.

I attended the forum on the following Thursday at Adult Ed on Kensington. There were seven or eight adult educators and around fifteen adult learners, including Joseph and myself.
The topic was on misleading words in one specific petition and how you can be tricked
in to signing a petition you don’t agree with , in general because of misleading words.

As adult learners we were also preparing our own petition for presidential candidates. The forum on Tuesday started the document. So there were already seven or so questions/statements in place on this document. We added another four
or five. I thought that was empowering.

We also discussed our Adult Learners Network. I was allowed to say a few words.
I just encouraged all the students in the class and myself to consider how important it is for the Adult Learners Network to have support also a voice for adult learners.

At the end we did a toast for change. There was no lack of participation with that
Activity. The grape juice was wonderful. I had seconds (smile).


Intern: Dwight Johnson ABC LITERACY