Literacy Lovers

When I was the Director of my county’s Literacy Council, there were many people who came into my office who timidly asked if I could help them learn how to read. Being new to the job, I was a little shocked at the average ages of those seeking help. Most were older from both genders and known to me in the community. And most hesitantly admitted to me that they could not write either.

Another group of clients were also immigrants who had been in the country for some time but were still having difficulty learning American English. Trained in ESL (English as a Second Language) teaching, I attempted to help them plan their education and work around their schedules. What I found is that many students needed more time and a learning environment or program to maximize their learning.

What I propose may seem a little strange, especially to the older population. And they may need some reassurances and promotions or advertisements to encourage them to participate. However, I believe that this program and process will work helping a larger number of people learn what they probably should have learned by attending K-12 school.

I think that all citizens or residents of this country, no matter their age or disability, should be allowed to go to school, K-12. If they do not have a high school diploma, they do not have to get a G.E.D. Instead, they should be allowed to sign up for any classes (we may need to increase classes) either online or in-class learning. (School bus rides, too?) This way, if a citizen or immigrant wants to simply learn to read and write, or math, science, or history, then they can sign up within our national education system for the next semester.

Of course, online classes are on-going (or should be available all year long) and a computer set up at senior centers, homeless shelters, literacy offices, libraries, or community centers would simply require the student sign-in using their unique password to pick up where they left off in their studies. We could also have virtual classrooms for this program. As I understand it, G.E.D. classes are taught this way, but I do not think they allow for any kind of class in a singular fashion be taught.

For people who might be willing to attend classes at a school, they might also be qualified and willing to be mentors or substitute teachers to the younger set. You know, elders have a vast experience and education not commonly taught in traditional schools. There may also be some interest in the education department to incorporate “Elder Wise” classes to their curriculum. These classes teach about commonsense, know-how gotten from the school of hard knocks, or just stories of their past emphasizing truth, love, law, responsibility, and even other languages or cultures.

This inclusion of grandmothers and grandfathers or people of diverse backgrounds into the education system breaks the student culture of drug promotion, inferiority complexes, bullying, misinformation, and the me-first generation. Children learn about their elders and the special problems they will someday face giving them a greater sense of humility, compassion,and self-worth. The elders teach kindness, inclusion, forgiveness, purpose, and possibilities.

You see, what I learned from the diverse clients was my education. They taught me that through no fault of their own, they had spent countless years of isolation, frustration, and concealing of their illiteracy hoping no one would know their secret. Well, now their secret is out. Can’t we all join hands here and provide a no stigma, no criticism, no money needed as a way for them to better their existence and stimulate the higher intelligence of our future leaders? All Leaders of Literacy Councils, all Leaders of Higher Education, all Leaders of Legislature, and all Future Students should come together to lift up this open-arms effort to expand education to every person in this country. Maybe then we can truly be an inspiration and a beacon of hope for other countries to also implement the “Elder Wise” education system.

We all benefit from increasing knowledge no matter the level attained. I thank my educators for their dedication helping me have the ability and the vision to educate others. The power of the pen is mighty, indeed! I learn so much from everyone else that I am amazed at times at my capacity to broaden my horizons. I hope you have learned a little something about yourself and how with a simple phone call or conversation with other people who can promote learning on this scale, you can be proactive. It all comes full circle, no matter your age or gender. You can educate others, too. What's not to love?

Copyright, Literacy Lovers, 8/9/2022, April Graves-Minton, Love MoonEagle. All Rights Reserved.