Literacy Reception Jan 24 to honor retiring Literacy Center Leader
(ROCKWALL-January 12, 2013) Since 2000, Gloria Bishop has been responsible for carrying out the mission of the Rockwall County Library Adult Literacy Center. In her role as Adult Literacy Coordinator she has seen the program grow from two students and five tutors in 2000 to the current levels of approximately 300 students and 70 tutors.
Now she is retiring so that she and husband Ed can execute retirement plans that have been years in the making. Bishop will be honored with a reception at 6 p.m., Thursday, January 24 in the Community Room at the Rockwall County Library. Current and former Literacy Center students, tutors and the general public are invited to attend.
The Literacy Center is sponsored by Friends of the Rockwall County Library with additional funding from individual donations, corporate and foundation grants, and awards from local civic organizations. Since its inception in 2000, 267 students have obtained GED certificates and 21 have entered college. Lives have been changed, as demonstrated by the eight native born citizens who have learned to read. Before completing studies at the Literacy Center, they could not read well enough to a pass driver’s test or take care of their bills.
Perhaps the biggest impact on the community comes from the English as a Second Language (ESL) classes offered by the Literacy Center. Bishop reports that 1,705 ESL students have raised their reading and speaking levels. Many of these students obtained jobs, were promoted to better positions or improved so they could help their children with homework and communicate during parent-teacher conferences. Seventy-nine of this group have completed study and exam requirements and have become U. S. citizens.
Marcine McCulley, Library Director, has announced that long-time volunteer Carol Cease will be the new adult literacy coordinator beginning February 1, 2013.
Submitted by Nell Wellborn.
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