“When You Know Better,
You Do Better”
By literacy student Kitty McCormick
Life has a way of stealing your dreams and goals, so you have to stay focused. An mperative
life lesson that I learned was realizing the importance of an education. Learning
this lesson was very hard. This lesson shaped my life by getting back in school and refocusing on my dreams and goals. The people that taught me this lesson were God first,
family second, and my teachers who encouraged me.
First of all, I dropped out of school in the seventh grade. My parents never encouraged me.
The teachers also acted like they never cared. I was one of those children that fell through the
cracks. It took me a lot of years to wake up and realize that bad choices really hurt my life.
Second of all, this lesson that I learned was very hard. The jobs that I have had in my
life did not require a high school education or even a GED. I wasn’t very happy at any of
them. I did not want to settle for a demeaning job because I didn’t have a GED.
Third of all, I realized my life was going in the wrong direction. I was the only one that
could reshape my life, turn it around and go the other way. But, I guess what really shaped
my decision was thinking about becoming a hairdresser. I went to the school, got an application,
filled it out, until it asked, “Do you have a high school diploma or GED?” That
is where I realized I had to go back to school and get my education.
Fourth of all, God gives all of us dreams and goals. He also gives us our minds to reach certain
levels in life. Years later I realized He didn’t want me to waste the mind He had given me.
The people who encouraged me were my family and teachers. My family encouraged
me to go back to school, I had their support. They told me I could do anything I wanted
to do, all I had to do was believe in myself. And last, but not least was my wonderful tutors
that I had. They worked as hard as I did raising my confidence and my self-esteem.
They did not give up on me when I was ready to give up on myself. I want to say I appreciate
each one of you for helping me.
Finally, I know we all lose our dreams and goals in life sometimes. For most of us it
takes a lifetime to find them again. When you do, don’t let them die. Learn to do that
important life lesson whatever it may be. Turn around. Reshape your life. Listen to those
who are willing to help and encourage you to reach those dreams and goals with you. I
am so glad I did.
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From the Program Coordinator
To understand the difficult journey of an
adult learner, read Kitty McCormick’s article
to the left. Her writing underscores the
strength of character needed to break out of
the isolation created by a sense of ailure. What
personal courage our learners exhibit when
they step forward seeking help in an environment
that has not always been kind to them.
Based on statistics, about 1 of 10 people in
Amherst County have less than a ninth grade
education. While our organization pursues
any viable avenue of marketing, there are still
many who are not utilizing our services.
Recently,
CALL printed a pamphlet, “Recognizing
and Referring People in Need of Literacy
Skills” to enable everyone to help another to
take a first step toward better literacy. If each
of us encouraged one person, what an impact
it would have on our county! Contact me for
a free copy.
When you step in to help you will become
part of the student’s support system. You
may need to provide physical support such
as baby-sitting or transportation, plus emotional
support in the form of encouraging
words and an empathetic shoulder. Students
with people behind them cheering them on
to the finish are much more likely to reach
their goals.
Literacy Groups Reach Out Together
As with any endeavor that reaches out to a certain segment of the population, the
vehicle used to deliver a message is just as important as the message itself. For a
literacy organization such as CALL, this means us using area broadcast media to reach
those Amherst County adults who want to increase their literacy skills. CALL, together
with the Literacy Volunteers-Campbell County Public Library have used recently acquired
grant money from the Virginia Literacy Foundation to produce public service
announcements for area radio and television stations. Produced by Stone Blue Productions
in Lynchburg, the PSAs will be broadcast sometime between now and the end of
the year. Stay tuned! |
