Article May 10, 2004 Issue

Everyone's teachable

By Clare Turner

When I moved from the suburbs into the city a few years ago, I saw firsthand the many needs of the community, and I wanted to do something to help. I'd heard about literacy organizations, and found Literacy Volunteers of Massachusetts on the Web. They had a waiting list of students who wanted help learning to read.

I took their 18-hour training session and agreed to tutor two hours once a week for at least nine months. At one point I was matched with Susan (not her real name), an eager 40-something who wanted to learn how to drive, become a United States citizen, read the Bible, and get her General Educational Development certificate. At that time, the literacy organization complied an annual collection of students' writing. As part of our work together, Susan wrote a short statement that was included in the book. I'll never forget the look of awe on her face when she read her work in that book.

For those who need help in reading, the very act of coming forward and making their need known is a huge step. Most people feel embarrassed to admit that they need this kind of help. So teaching them calls for compassion, patience, enthusiastic encouragement, and a willingness to be demanding and at the same time sensitive to the student's reluctance.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

I wanted to rely on God