During the past few months, AALL established contacts and lines of communication with government leaders and representatives regarding issues important to Adult Education and Family Literacy programs in Arizona.

In many Legislative Districts throughout the state, arrangements have been made for Representatives and Senators and other government officials to visit Adult Education programs in their districts and meet with those interested in the issues mentioned above.

AALL has also established a network of District Contacts who will act as communication links between AALL and their representatives.

On February 4, 2005, AALL co-sponsored with Cochise Community College a roundtable discussion about adult education issues. The panel consisted of Maureen Hoyt, AALL Advocacy Committee Chair, Paul Newman, Cochise County Supervisor, Trudy Berry, Cochise County Superintendent of Education, Manny Alvarez, State Representative from District 25, Mary McCune, State Representative from District 30, Wilda Theobald, Director of Program Improvement from the AZ Department of Adult Education, Dr. Karen A. Nicodemus, President of Cochise Community College, and Jennifer Burns, State Representative from District 25.

All agreed on the need for continued adult education funding and saw the necessity of cooperation and communication among all levels of government. Also discussed were various strategies for effectively advocating for adult literacy concerns.

Our Stories: GED

Eli Wilson, a GED student in Benson

My name is Eli Wilson, and I was born in Colon City, Panama. My husband and I met while he was stationed in Panama after a two-year tour in Vietnam in the US Armed Forces. I studied at the Academia de Matematicas y Comercio until I got married.

I was happy to be married and raise my children, but ever since I left school, I always dreamed of continuing my education.

A few years ago when my youngest child finished high school and decided to move to another state, I returned to school. For me this was very exciting. I love the atmosphere of the classroom environment. like to be in school.

At the beginning I was apprehensive, not having been in a classroom for almost 32 years. There were times that I felt frustrated and I wanted to stop.

Right now I have completed all of the GED except mathematics, which by the way, I am starting to like. And it’s all due to teachers who take the time to explain to students how to work out a problem, how to write, and how to read.

 Last year, I was given the wonderful opportunity to work as a student aide in the adult education program, something I am proud of, and I cherish.

Last week I was in the beginning level English class helping the students. I heard a student from Turkey, another from Syria, and another from Vietnam speaking their native languages. Now I am inspired to learn these languages as well so I can talk with the students.

 I know I need to learn more, and I am planning to continue my education, God willing, not only for myself but also for my children.

I would like them to know that education is important. And I would like them to be proud of me

Our Stories: English Language Aquisition

Ramona, a student in the Scottsdale Adult Learning Center

I really like to come to Adult Education because it is helping a lot with my English. Now I can speak with my husband because he speaks only English.

Also I can help my daughter with her home work and I understand her teachers when they need to talk to me. I can write a note when it is necessary.

Also I am a leader in Girl Scouts.

L.A. Ligouri, a Teacher in Mesa

I am humbled by the gracious way my students choose to live. It's easy in America to forget the most essential pieces of life: love, laughter and gratefulness.

I think of how my students live such hard-working lives in a country that is unfamiliar to them in words, sights, sustenance and culture.

Yet, there is so much dignity and devotion in all that they do. I am humbled by their personal grace.
My students elevate my spirit.

Charlotte Cessor, mother of a GED student

For more of “Our Stories” go to the AALL website: www.az-aall.org

Our Stories: Family Literacy

Gloria Williams, Family Literacy Teacher, Pima Community College

Alma Ibarra is a survivor of domestic violence. During her initial interview she expressed concern about how this violence has affected her pre-school aged children. She set the goal of having more patience with her children and expressed interest in positive discipline and parenting skills for our first Parent Time topics. She took a leadership role in choosing study materials and speakers, and preparing and presenting parenting topics to her classmates. Alma has noted a big change in her parenting skills since beginning the Family Literacy project. “Now I am much more calm with my children”, she explained, “I use the techniques we practice during Parent Time and PACT Time. I talk with my kids. I explain things. I give them choices. I don’t ever raise my voice anymore, and I haven’t spanked my children since I started Family Literacy. I want to keep moving forward with my goal of keeping violence out of our home”.

A Family Works Towards Citizenship

My name is Luz Lazcano. I’m 24 years old and I was born in Mexico. I work at the John C. Lincoln Children’s Dental Clinic as a receptionist.

I come to Friendly House Monday and Wednesday from 6 – 8 pm for the Citizenship classes with my parents. The three of us are applying for our citizenship and coming to school has helped us not only to learn the history of the U.S.

and how the government works but also to develop more of our English skills.

We have met some great people at this school and now we are more confident about our English and more confident about our interview for the citizenship.

I think this school is a great asset to the community and I wish they would open more schools like this one.”

Civics: An Integral Part of Arizona Adult Education by Ami Magasos, Civics Coordinator Pima Community College

A refugee from Kosovo, Ismet Osmani barely escaped the violence from the war in his country and found himself in Arizona, eager to learn English, understand his new country, and contribute to his community. Ismet has a university degree, experience as a school counselor, and obvious talent as a strong leader.

Like many immigrants, however, English held him back from his dream of working in his field and being fully involved in his new community. He supported his family with two low-paying jobs, and studied English at night in an adult learning center.

When Ismet had the opportunity to serve as a student council representative, he immediately got involved, “to give back to my school.” In student council, Ismet raised money for school equipment, helped create a movie about the importance of education for the community, taught fellow classmates about the state government in presentations, and even joined other student leaders to visit the state legislature and meet elected officials.

Ismet now takes university classes, and while he also works three jobs, one of them is as a mentor to other adult learners, guiding them on the path he has walked to college and community leadership.

Ismet’s experience highlights the value of civics as an integral part of Adult Education in Arizona. English Language Civics is a state-wide initiative to integrate civics learning in adult basic education for both GED preparation and English students. Around Arizona, adult education programs are training teachers and students to bring the community into the classroom, and to bring the classroom into the community, by

Training students and teachers as community leaders

Helping students and teachers identify issues of concern in the community, learn about those issues and take action to improve the community

Promoting the development of strong relationships between adult education and community leaders.

Offering citizenship classes, as well as voter registration and education

For more information about EL Civics, contact civics@pima.edu.