View the Slideshow from the 2013 Conference

                    Thank you to all of our workshop presenters!

Fernando Sandoval, Centro Romero, Chicago
What makes Fernando exceptional isn’t just the monumental number of hours he volunteers or his tireless work ethic. It isn’t even his nearly extraordinary compassion. What truly makes him exceptional is his altruism. As a volunteer, Fernando demonstrates the commitment of a salaried employee. He never takes a break and doesn’t bat an eyelash. He laughs off compliments and refuses to take credit for all that he does. He asks for nothing in return and brings a light to his students’ lives every day.

Fernando faithfully comes to teach each day. In rain and snow storms, the coldest days, he comes. At one point last year he was running two classes because he refused to let one be shut down due to a lack of volunteers. His contributions have led to the development of a Pre-GED class, which he single handedly runs.

Last summer, one of his students was becoming very advanced and Fernando suggested transitioning into a GED class. Fernando offered to start coming in on Fridays to tutor him individually to prepare him for the class. Around this time, the Deferred Deportation Act was passed and Centro Romero was flooded with young people looking to obtain their GED to be eligible. We tried to register these students in our normal GED program but many did not qualify. The coordinator asked Fernando to admit two more students to his Friday morning session. Then she asked that two more be admitted, then three more and soon there were 16 coming in on Fridays. Recognizing a real need, Fernando worked to replace his position in the Spanish Literacy Program and started a five-day a week Pre-GED program through his own volition. By December, the original 8 students passed into the GED program. His current Pre-GED class has 21 students and is thriving.

Lee Casteel, Centro Romero, Chicago
As a social work administrator, Lee has an exceptionally deep understanding of the immigrant experience, writes AdriAnne Bowe Slagle his nominator. He knows how to structure his lessons to focus on practical information such as budgeting, shopping, scheduling of medical appointments and helping students become a part of their children’s education. Lee holds a record for being the longest serving volunteer in the English program, teaching 30-50 students a year. It’s the completely competent, reliable and dedicated volunteers like Lee that allow the volunteer literacy program at Centro Romero to thrive. His involvement with us is priceless, AdriAnne concluded.

Mary Ellen Channon, Indo-American Center, Chicago
Mary Ellen’s dedication and intense passion for teaching and learning are her most outstanding qualities, writes her nominator, Scott Evens. Currently studying at Northeastern University for a Master’s in Teaching ESL, she uses education theory and methodological coursework to bring creative ways to inspire and teach her students. She aims to do more than simply teach English. She strives to meet the students at a place relevant to their lives and actual needs. Motivated by her love of knowledge and the desire for her students to learn, she takes her experience exploring linguistics to understand the mechanics of learning and the “why” behind cognition. The results are outstanding.

Guillermina Garcia, UIC Center for Literacy, Chicago
In her nomination of Guillermina, her nominator Barbara Burger submitted an account written by Guillermina herself of her experience as an AmeriCorps Member. In the story of her experiences in teaching, Guillermina writes that one of the most important lessons she has learned is to never give up no matter how difficult the task seems. She recounts an experience with a student who progressed from learning the alphabet to numbers to the parts of speech and to self-reliance. This experience, she believes, has helped her become more confident in her teaching. Barbara added – “Guillermina is an asset in the ESL classrooms at both St. Joseph and CYC Fellowship.”

Elba Gonzalez, Asian Human Services, LEAF Program, Chicago
Elba embodies the qualities of an ideal tutor, writes Ines Lagos her nominator. She entered the LEAF program as a Level 2 ESL student in January 2011, progressed through Level 3 and 4 and then became one of the first ESL Early Childhood Education Bridge students. In the fall of 2011, Elba expressed interest in tutoring students. Elba is an exceptional tutor because she knows firsthand how difficult it can be to learn a new language. She has tutored 7 students from Mexico and Iraq and her students have made a myriad of gains on the BEST PLUS test and 5 have made NRS level gains. “We are fortunate to have Elba tutor in our program”, concluded Ines.

Constance Gush, Literacy Volunteers of Illinois, Jump Start at IYC St. Charles
What makes Connie’s work exceptional as a tutor for the youth detained at the Illinois Youth Center in St. Charles are two things writes her nominator, Jeanette Kiene.  She always comes no matter what the weather, she is there. Secondly, it is her caring attitude towards the youth she tutors and her ability to come up with creative ideas to jump into tutoring the first time she meets him. She is always bringing in a good book to read with a great story that generally has a common theme of, “life can get better if you work at it”. Tutoring since 2009, Connie says the boys really need help and she wants to help them become productive human beings.

Georgian Hadley, Ebenezer Lutheran Tutoring Program, Chicago
Georgian’s late husband founded the tutoring program in 2000 and she continued her work in it after his death a few years later, writes her nominator Norm Dynneson. She has now been involved for 13 years, and during that time the program has grown to serve 40 children through 22 tutors, thanks in part to Georgian’s guidance and dedication. Her unfailing energy and dedication inspire the other tutors and leaders to do their best. She cares about each of the children in the program and strives to support not only their academic but social and economic needs, whether it is teaching the children to garden, create their own illustrated book or decorate Christmas cookies.

Jack Kenesy, St. Joseph Services, Chicago
Jack is one of our most esteemed ESL tutors and we are excited to nominate him, writes his nominator, Juan Ramirez.  Jack is energetic, engaging and reliable. He goes above and beyond the duties expected of our volunteers. He participates in every tutor orientation and in-service training in addition to being an active member of our fundraising events. Jack plays a very important role in helping our students reach their goals, and his students request to continue classes with him at the beginning of each year. We have seen significant growth in the students he instructs and we are proud to recognize his efforts and years of service, concluded Juan.

Darrly Kupperschmidt, Project Care, Morton College, Cicero
Darryl has always been an outstanding literacy tutor who achieves impressive result, writes his nominator, Irina Cline.  He has been with the program for 14 years and tutored 15 students with various educational and cultural backgrounds. Darryl works very hard to boost student motivation and includes his students in planning tutoring sessions and choosing educational materials. He instills in his students a belief that they can succeed if they believe in themselves. Darryl’s students not only achieve significant improvement in their test scores but also advance their social and professional skills. His commitment makes him an excellent candidate for the Award.

Andreen Neukranz-Butler, Tolton DeLaSalle, Adult Education Center, Chicago
Social worker, advocate, teacher, counselor and friend are words that nominator Joanne Corwin used to describe Andy, a dedicated professional who brings 40 years of expertise in the educational arena and whose initiative and devotion are generously shared three days each week. Andi has tirelessly researched and navigated the social services available to students so they can attend school. She has helped students move a grade level forward in test scores and has prepared them for their GED. Joanne concluded – “We have been blessed to have Andi as a volunteer and while she is now joining us as part-time staff we know she will continue to volunteer several hours a week.”

Sheila Perry, South Suburban College, South Holland
Sheila makes an extreme effort to improve the lives of others, writes her nominator, Christopher McElroy. Sheila has been with the program for two years and has tutored ten students. She tutors at least two students a semester in literacy and life skills and has them make a budget and learn how to use a computer. If a student requests it, Sheila will help her students complete and file their taxes. Another quality to admire about Sheila is her creativity. If a student does not have an online presence, Sheila makes sure they do by helping them set up a Facebook page, an e-mail address and possibly a Linked In page. She is a remarkable woman with a big heart writes her nominator.

Luz Rios, UIC Center for Literacy, Chicago
There is no question that Luz influences her learners to dream of a better life and succeed at learning English, wrote her nominator, Barbara Burger. Luz’s desire to teach and her success with students springs from her philosophy that it is never too late for studying and even when you feel like giving up, you always have a chance to continue. Luz believes that her experience as a tutor has opened her mind to the fact that everyone is unique. Luz says that her five months of teaching English and Spanish have been extraordinary and challenging and the experience exceptional with her emotions moving from nervousness to happiness.

Bob Rugh, Howard Area Community Center, Chicago
Bob is a great tutor! wrote his nominator, Elizabeth Brice. He is patient, flexible and truly cares for his students. Bob has worked with a variety of students from various backgrounds, languages and ages and every time his tutoring group changes, he graciously embraces the new group with patience and passion. One example of Bob’s accomplishments is his work with a student who, if she was running late or would not be coming at all would not call, perhaps feeling her English was not up to par. Now, more confident of her English because of Bob’s tutoring, she regularly phones to let us know.  It has been a privilege, wrote his nominator, to see Bob work.

Sarah Swetz-Huang, Pui Tak Center, Chicago
Talking with Sarah or watching her interact with her students will quickly draw you into the beauty of a tutoring relationship, wrote her nominator, Nanci Bi. She embodies an amazing brightness of spirit and love for tutoring that is communicated to everyone around her.  From the start, Sarah jumped at the opportunity to tutor two students instead of one. After a few months, she began teaching a small class. Since then she has tutored nine students. The two original students not only have made gains on the BEST test, they enrolled in a community college and began classes. Sarah’s consistent enthusiasm and willingness to serve so faithfully makes her a truly exceptional tutor. 

Julie Wainwright, Albany Park Community Center, Chicago
Julie is an exceptional tutor because of her combination of enthusiasm and patience, writes her nominator, Karen Parillo. When Julie’s student came to APCC to enroll in a basic computer skills class she had finished 8th grade but never learned to read or write. Her initial TABE score in May 2012 was 2.5. A STAR assessment revealed strengths in phonics and vocabulary and weaknesses in fluency, higher-level alphabetic and comprehension. Julie focused on those areas, and, in retesting in January 2013, her student scored a 5.3 on the TABE.  Julie was key in unlocking the mystery of literacy for her student and has become a friend and mentor to her as well.

Paris Wimberly, Anixter Center, Chicago
Paris joined the Anixter Center from DePaul University where she is a senior getting her BA in Psychology. We are very lucky to have her as a tutor, wrote her nominator, Lesley Kartali. Paris tutors students in the Literacy Program as well as the Center’s new Deaf Literacy Program. She works with 5 different students, tutoring each one on one. One of her students who is deaf, has struggled getting the proper education because of his disability. He says that he feels for the first time that with Paris, someone hasn’t failed him. She is dedicated to help him excel and assist him in getting into college.  Paris says that her joy is seeing her students light up upon learning.

Outstanding Tutor Awards Continued

Markita Harris, UIC Center for Literacy. Family Start Living Center (FAST), Chicago
Markita has demonstrated a true dedication not only to her own education but the education of her students, writes her nominator, Chivon Multrie. Makita first came to the Family Start Learning Center to enroll in Adult Literacy/GED program.  But, writes, Chivon, we observed a plethora of potential and charisma and that helped her secure a position as an AmeriCorps member. She has since attained her GED and continues to inspire and mentor her students. Markita has a knack for breaking down the most complicated problems so her students can relate to them. She’s a dynamic and inspirational tutor and a great motivator, concluded Chivon.

John Latta, CEFS Adult Literacy, Effingham
John is an experienced educator who believes in bringing out the best in each learner, writes his nominator, Susan Wilson. He encourages a healthy, well-rounded lifestyle, and knowing that appearances and attitude do affect first impressions, he will often instruct those who need assistance before a job interview. He is very reliable and patient even when waiting for a late learner. John is not likely to accept excuses, and if a learner needs a “tough love” kind of guy, John is the man. His most recent student raised his math grade level by 3.7, in less than a year. John has been involved with the program for 8 years and in 2012 volunteered 55 hours.

Roland Lesniewski, Literacy Volunteers of Illinois, Jump Start at IYC– St Charles
What makes Roland’s work exceptional is that he is dedicated and kind to the youth residing in the Illinois Youth Center, writes his nominator, Jeanette Kiene. He is flexible and willing to work with any youth who wants to learn and comes to the Center every Wednesday whatever the weather. When it comes to learning materials, he is flexible with the resources he uses and bases the selection on the level of the youth’s ability. He believes in teaching the youths to think before they act, to weigh options before making a move and then act accordingly. Roland’s greatest experiences are in developing a rapport with the youth, gaining their respect and teaching literacy through traditional means and also through his own life experiences.

Jan Lupinek, Heartland Human Care Services, Chicago
Janhas been an exceptionally reliable volunteer since he began tutoring two years ago, writes his nominator Katelyn Sedelmyer, He goes above and beyond our expectations, tutoring multiple students per quarter in addition to leading a popular “Listening Group” for students once a week. . One example of his success is a student who scored 1 last spring and in December scored 33. Jan has always jumped in on the fly, Katelyn continued, sharing his extensive linguistic knowledge with all of our students. Four times a year, we have a registration day for new students and Jan is the only volunteer who has ever helped us with this tiring day and we are so grateful for his help

Ann Muench, The Reader’s Route,  Danville Community College, Danville
Ann has been a math tutor in our Reader’s Route for over a year, writes her nominator, Scott Heatherton. Ann volunteered for the program after working at Danville Area Community College as an Anatomy and Physiology instructor. She brings that knowledge along with a giving spirit to each student she serves and she purchases and creates instructional aids of her own to ensure that her students get the point of each lesson, Scott continued.  She has worked with all levels of Adult Basic Education students and encourages them to pursue a GED.  Three students just recently passed their GED test with one praising Ann for “making everything so easy, I can understand it.”

Pat Rigg, Frontier Community College, Fairfield
Pat has touched the lives of so many of our students, wrote her nominator, Linda Sargent, who continued – “Since she joined the program, Pat has attended every workshop and has volunteered to help at all events, in addition to tutoring over seventy nine hours. When she sees a particular need or desire that one of her students may have, she searches for materials that will help. Her datebook may be filled but she somehow makes time for all of her students. Each student she has worked with has increased their interest in reading and their reading levels. If ever an extra hand is needed or a tutor for another student, Pat is there to help and we are blessed to have her.”

Maureen Toner, School on Wheels, LaGrange Park
Maureen has been with School on Wheels for four years, wrote her nominator, Kathy Haas, and consistently gives more time than the average tutor. Currently, Maureen teaches six students. Her students increase in test scores from year to year. She has taught students from many ethnicities and because it is one-to-one, she has shown resourcefulness in meeting their needs. She uses story books for students with small children for them to practice so they can read it later to their child. Maureen has one student with a special needs child and she often brings a new book for the child. The student told Maureen that instead of a teddy bear, his child sleeps with her new book.

Laurie White, Howard Area Community Center, Chicago
Laurie is an exceptional tutor for many reasons, chief among them is her commitment to her student, followed by her professionalism and preparedness for each tutoring sessions, writes her nominator, Elizabeth Brice. She is consistently positive and kind. Each week when Laurie meets with her student she provides an agenda and makes sure the student understands each concept and idea thoroughly before moving on. Her student has improved very much with Laurie, and enjoys the program so much he recruited his girlfriend to join.  Elizabeth concluded that Laurie is a very valuable part of our program and they’re glad to have her as part of their tutoring team.