Volunteers Needed for Adult Literacy Program
January 18, 2018
Isaac Estes-Jones
Ozarks Technical Community College is partnering with Reeds Spring School district to offer the Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) program in Stone County.
OTC is searching for volunteers to assist AEL instructors for a few hours a week at Reeds Spring High School on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings. Volunteers will be helping “individuals 17 years of age and older that are no longer enrolled in school that have a goal of improving their skills in order to attain their high school equivalency certificate, get a job, get a better job or enroll in post- secondary education,” says Ramona George, Director of Adult Education and Literacy with OTC.
OTC operates the AEL program in eight counties, including Stone, Greene, Taney, Christian, Webster, Polk, Dallas and Laclede. “Last year, over 250 students in the eight county service area received their High School Equivalency Certificate,” with the help of the AEL program, George said.
“We need volunteers to help our instructors prepare people for the high school equivalency test,” George said. According to a press release, “Volunteers work one-on-one with students in a variety of academic subjects including math, language arts and reading.”
“The ideal volunteer should have the desire to make difference in someone’s life while helping them with math, reading and writing skills,” George said. Volunteers must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. Prior teaching experience is not required and free training is provided. The following volunteer traits were specifically highlighted in the release: patience, optimism, friendliness, a sense of humor and the desire to make a difference.
OTC has operated the AEL program since 1991. New students are enrolled in the free program every month. Classes are self paced and individualized. “To pass the high school equivalency test,” George said, “Takers must demonstrate they have attained the knowledge equivalent to a high school graduate. The test consists of five subtests that measure knowledge in five core areas: Reading, Writing, Math, Science and Social Studies.”
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer should contact Kathy Funk, Literacy Coordinator for OTC at (417) 447-8856 or funkk@otc.edu.
Isaac Estes-Jones
Ozarks Technical Community College is partnering with Reeds Spring School district to offer the Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) program in Stone County.
OTC is searching for volunteers to assist AEL instructors for a few hours a week at Reeds Spring High School on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings. Volunteers will be helping “individuals 17 years of age and older that are no longer enrolled in school that have a goal of improving their skills in order to attain their high school equivalency certificate, get a job, get a better job or enroll in post- secondary education,” says Ramona George, Director of Adult Education and Literacy with OTC.
OTC operates the AEL program in eight counties, including Stone, Greene, Taney, Christian, Webster, Polk, Dallas and Laclede. “Last year, over 250 students in the eight county service area received their High School Equivalency Certificate,” with the help of the AEL program, George said.
“We need volunteers to help our instructors prepare people for the high school equivalency test,” George said. According to a press release, “Volunteers work one-on-one with students in a variety of academic subjects including math, language arts and reading.”
“The ideal volunteer should have the desire to make difference in someone’s life while helping them with math, reading and writing skills,” George said. Volunteers must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. Prior teaching experience is not required and free training is provided. The following volunteer traits were specifically highlighted in the release: patience, optimism, friendliness, a sense of humor and the desire to make a difference.
OTC has operated the AEL program since 1991. New students are enrolled in the free program every month. Classes are self paced and individualized. “To pass the high school equivalency test,” George said, “Takers must demonstrate they have attained the knowledge equivalent to a high school graduate. The test consists of five subtests that measure knowledge in five core areas: Reading, Writing, Math, Science and Social Studies.”
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer should contact Kathy Funk, Literacy Coordinator for OTC at (417) 447-8856 or funkk@otc.edu.