Redlands Library :: Adult Literacy Program in the Spotlight at Fidelis Iota Retired Teachers’ Meeting

Redlands Adult Literacy Program in the spotlight at Fidelis Iota retired teachers’ meeting

Redlands Daily Facts: 10.26.2017

Diane Shimota, coordinator of the Redlands Adult Literacy Program, presented the program at the October meeting of the Fidelis Iota chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa.

ADK is an honorary organization for women educators, and Fidelis Iota is the retired teachers’ chapter.

Shimota has been coordinator of the Redlands Adult Literacy Program, based at the A.K. Smiley Public Library, since 2016 and was a tutor for four years.

She said there are 109 learners who meet one and a half hours a week with their tutors. The free program is possible because of volunteer tutors who gave more than 6,000 service hours last year, according to a press release.

Shimota said the volunteer tutors get enrichment, make friends, and watch their learners achieve their goals.

Some learners are mothers whose children have started school. Others are retired and finally have time to work on their literacy goals. Some come to the program because there are changes at work that they want to be able to address.

Learners build confidence and gain independence in the program in addition to learning to read and write, Shimota said.

═════════►

Several Fidelis Iota members are tutors in the Redlands Adult Literacy Program. They are Trudy Waldron, who helped restart the program in 2010, and Nancy Rodgers, Martha Kennedy, Jane Henry, Toni Curley and Ann Leonard.  

READ MORE >>