I met with my supervisor this week and talked about the future of Family Literacy and my own future in adult education. I will definitely have my own class somewhere with hours to be determined as well. That's fine. He also asked me to mentor other teachers and to visit other sites in order to think about how the program can be improved over all. That is a bit nebulous and scary but I said I was willing to do it. So there will be changes.
I also wanted to record a few Facebook comments I have received in the last few weeks. Here they are, as written in texting language:
"Hey MRS. MARY I MISS U SO MUCH N I REALLY MISS BEIN N UR CLASS!!"
"We are doing well! OMG Mary he has grew so much. And is so smart. I believe when he was comming to the program it helped alot. I signed him up for head start and hope to here from them soon. I wish u the best of luck in ur new field of work. Take care...... Oh i almost forgot..... are u still cupcakin with ur boo? Lol!!!"
"THANK YOUR VERY MUCH Mary Vanderkam I couldn't have ever done it with out you. Your are the best teacher I ever had . Just wanted to say thank you."
"Im excited and school start in august for me thanks for helping me when i was younger mary"
There is one more lovely story I want to record. One of the founders of Talk with your Baby called me last week and said she just happened to sit with one of our former students at St. Margaret's House. She wondered if I thought this young lady would be willing to take the TWYB training in July and then consider being an assistant teacher with pay in the fall. I thought this was a wonderful plan. To my delight, it all worked out and she did attend the first training on Friday and apparently participated and loved it. The founder even took her out for lunch and asked her to be on the "marketing committee." As this young woman knows everyone in town and has lots of personal poise, she can be a good spokesperson and has been already for TWYB.
Family Literacy will survive for another year. Jobs will be posted next week. But beyond that, outside funding must be found. I hope and pray it will be. The program is too good to die. It is expensive and helps only a limited numbers of families, but for most of those families it makes a difference.
