With children educated,
Redlands mother of 6 says now it’s her turn
The six children of Ana Maria
Castro have done very well academically, despite the fact that their mother has
struggled with reading and writing since her own school days in Mexico.
Two of her children will
receive their master’s degrees this spring. Another works for Esri in Redlands
and one is a teacher. Her youngest son is in college preparing to be a physical
therapist and her youngest daughter is a 10th-grader at Redlands East Valley
High.
“My first goal was for my
family,” said Castro, who for two years has received tutoring through the
Redlands Adult Literacy Program. “Then, when my youngest went to high school, I
said, ‘It’s now my turn,’ and I found my lovely teacher.”
Castro’s teacher is Trudy
Waldron, one of two volunteer coordinators who match tutors with learners –
there are currently about 65 learners in the program, run through A.K. Smiley
Public Library and the Friends of the Library – and also serve as tutors themselves.
“Ana Maria is such a
hardworking woman,” Waldron said. “She stayed back and encouraged her children
in their learning, and modeled the importance of getting an education.”
Waldron and Castro found a
connection right away, Waldron said: Before she retired, she taught one of
Castro’s children at Kingsbury Elementary School.
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The group has a fundraiser
coming up May 8 at the Redlands Footlighters Theater. Tickets are $25 per
person, which includes a wine and appetizer reception in the courtyard at 6:30
p.m., a door-prize opportunity and the 8 p.m. performance of the Footlighters’
current show, “Pump Boys and Dinettes.”
Tickets are available by
calling the Adult Literacy Program at 909-798-7565, ext. 4138, or by sending a
check to the Redlands Adult Literacy Program, A. K. Smiley Public Library, 125
W. Vine St. Redlands, CA 92373. Checks should be made payable to Friends of A.K.
Smiley Public Library and reference Footlighters. READ MORE !
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