The Numbers

We enrolled 29 families this year.  This means 29 parents, 28 mothers and one father with 40 children as a part of our early childhood program.

The National Reporting Service asks for four outcomes.  We had eight GEDs as of August; I am hopeful that one student will retest her written language component and do a passable essay.  At least one other was ready to take the test, but never followed through on registering for it.

25 students went up an academic level in at least one area (math or reading or language).  This means a gain from elementary to middle school levels, or middle school to 9th-10th grade, or 9th-10th to 11th-12th.   It can be an arbitrary distinction because going up from 5.9 to 6.0 is a level gain, whereas going up from 6.0 to 8.9 is not a recordable gain.  13 of the 29 students entered the program with at least one elementary grade level score, most often in math. 

  Nine students found jobs and as far as I know, just four enrolled in college. 

A father in class

In previous years, we have had men in our class.  This year we have not--until the last month.  I had not been eager to call this gentleman.  He had listed a parole officer as a contact and it is sometimes a bit difficult to incorporate a lone male into the class.

However, L has been a delight.  He has been very open about his past and the years he has spent incarcerated.  And "incarcerated" is the word that is usually used by our students.  He said he never went to school past sixth grade and that he was first found guilty of a felony at age 14.  I think he said murder, but I didn't want to quiz him on that.  He has five children--so he must have spent some time on the outside over the years.  He has been out of prison for the last 8 months and has had trouble finding work.  He feels that if he gets a GED and gets some automotive training, he can at least go into business for himself.

L participates in class discussion.  He sings along at circle time even though his voice is the only male voice.  He is wonderful with his two year old son--who is also a delight.  And he is so much more aware of the world around us than most of the women in the class.  He has a good vocabulary and is learning more math every day.  Spelling is not his strongest skill but that should not hold him back.

I think about what a privilege we have to make a difference in his life.  I hope Family Literacy is a help in his turning his life around.  He has been a joy to us!

My last post?

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.

My last "closing ceremony"

We don't call it a graduation.  We call it a "closing ceremony" and, of course, "an ice cream social."  I overheard T calling a friend to invite her, saying, "it's really tight--you should come!"

We made our usual speeches about each child and each adult as we handed out certificates to them.  At the end, our three child care teachers stood up and said a few words about me as I "retire" from Family Literacy.  I don't remember everything they said, but all three got teary.  J said something about there being nothing phony about me and that I made them work hard and the students work hard.  There were many nods!  H said that hardly a day went by that I didn't make them feel appreciated in some way and that she had never had that before in any job.   S said that she had been with me since the first month she came to South Bend and that she couldn't have done her master's degree without my help and that she had told me things she hadn't even told her husband.  That may be true about what she has told me--her life could be a novel.

I felt especially good about H's comment because I think it is so important to feel appreciated and I am so glad they felt that way.  And I truly did appreciate them and their patience and hard work.  I could not take care of little children so well.

Then three students stood up and spoke.  T must have planned her talk, but J and LB were spontaneous.  Both J and LB stressed that I gave them confidence in themselves--that they could do the work and they could succeed.  Again, that was about the nicest thing they could say to me and I felt very affirmed.

I was given a peace lily in which everyone wrote a few words on the pot.  I read the card and its expressions of love and appreciation when I got home.  And that is when I did weep a bit!

But I am not sorry or sentimental about my decision.  I do not want to quit teaching.  I am eager for next year and a regular GED-ABE class.  Family Literacy is a wonderful program, but as one of my former colleagues put it, "Are you ready for something with less drama?"  I am!

Letting go of the butterflies

We went to Potowatami Zoo on Tuesday and had our picnic afterwards.  We had purchased five caterpillars a few weeks ago and watched them turn into chrysalis.  About a week ago, each one turned into a butterfly.  It was amazing to me that all five survived and grew and were ready to go.  After our meal was finished, Miss H opened the cage.  One by one the butterflies hesitantly sat on the rim.  And then each one suddenly found its wings and off it went.  It was a beautiful scene--teachers, parents, and kids--all watching and cheering as the butterflies went into the world.

A few days later, I was thinking, "Fly, LB; fly, TM; fly, V; fly, TB; fly, C.  We're ready to let you go.  Take the exam, get your diploma, and go on with your lives.  This is just the beginning!"

So many obstacles...

I was optimistic that six students would register for the GED exam today.   However, one called to say she had broken her ankle and was at the hospital this morning.  Another one was with her daughter who had a bad attack of asthma during the night.  A third student could not get his truck started yesterday so he missed class.  I don't know if he actually registered or not.  A fourth student's baby is supposedly due in early July, but she will never make it that long. 

I'm hoping that possibly two managed to keep their appointments.   We had half-scholarships for each one, but they still have to come up with a $35 money order, find child care and get transportation for the 9 am meeting.

Using words in context

We had another example this week of how one's context forms one's vocabulary.   I asked T to share a word from her Megaword book with the class.   She suggested "deliberate."  L said, "That's what a jury does when it leaves the room."  Ah, yes--but not the first meaning I would have thought of.  It reminded me of the definition I have heard more than once for "decline"--a word on a reading inventory I often use.  "Decline?--that's when your credit card gets declined."