[AAACE-NLA] AAACE-NLA Digest, Vol 46, Issue 10 Waiting List Reduction

Kaizen Program kaizen at literacyworks.org
Sun Mar 25 11:28:26 EDT 2007 

Greetings colleagues,

The immigration stories told by Chris Francisco  and Merle Ayres have
inspired me to tell my own. Perhaps it can help build more reflection and
understanding of current issues and the recent new-comers.

My Mother and her family fled the Ukraine, then part of Russia, a little
before World War I. They were Ukrainian Jews who lived in a little
segregated village. They had experienced and heard of many brutalities by
the Czarist regime. Their final decision to leave came when a drunken troop
of soldiers came through the town, and for fun shot children playing in the
village square. My mother, who was six years old at the time, was shot in
her upper arm. A bone was injured and she lost a lot of mobility in that
arm, and carried that bullet in her arm for the rest of her life. Some of
her playmates were killed.

My mother and her family broke the Czarist law and crossed the border to
leave Russia, trekked across Europe and arrived in the U.S. when she was 12.
She promptly went to work in a garment factory, as did most of her brothers
and sisters. She learned a little English, but never mastered the oral
language, and never mastered literacy much beyond  basic letter recognition.
The emotional scars she carried from her childhood experience might have
made this especially difficult for her.

My father's family were Siberian native people who also illegally left the
Russian empire to find a better life, when such peoples were being forced to
give up their traditional ways. As a young person, my father did
attend some school in the U.S. and learned to speak, read and write English.
But, he left after a few years to go to work. He never felt fully
comfortable in school because he sensed that teachers disliked those who
spoke languages other than English, and he even experienced being hit  for
speaking his first language.

After leaving school, my father went to work as a house painter, and like so
many others in that trade during the first part of the 20th century, before
the availability of radios  on the job, he developed his literacy skills by
taking his turn reading to his fellow workers on the job.

Both of my parents entered the U.S. with permission, but, they and very many
others, had to break the law to leave their country of origin.

Both of my parents had a lot of respect for education, and they passed that
on to me. They taught me to believe that knowledge is power, and that if a
society is to be truly and fully democratic, everyone must be empowered to
be full participants.

Even though they were legally here, they also taught me the fears that all
too many immigrants and refugees carry in their hearts. They were both
afraid for their children because of the discrimination against so many
groups that they saw around them. And, they were afraid that if their
children learned any language other than English, they would be targets for
the kinds of discrimination they had experienced.

I am a teacher of English to adult immigrants and refugees as part of my
dedication to participatory democracy. I want to help my students to become
as fully oriented to our society and participate in it as much as they
desire. I want them to lose their fears of discrimination as they fight
against discrimination. And I want to help them retain their pride in their
origins, their other language competencies and cultural knowledge, while
learning to express themselves in English and make their special voices
heard.

I am a graduate of the New York City public schools and the City College of
New York. Since my family was poor, I couldn't have obtained the education I
did if I had not been able to attend free public education and have access
to a variety of scholarships during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. And, I know
many other children of immigrants and refugees  who have become full
participants  and made relevant contributions that have enriched the
communities they live in.  I strongly believe that all adults and children,
regardless of origin or income,  should have full access to the kind of
education that empowers them to participate more fully in the society,
including in helping to work for improved wages,  better working conditions,
and a fully functional social safety net. Certainly, it wouldn't solve all
problems, but it would be a good start.

I don't think that the unemployment among native born poor people is
primarily the fault of the immigrants, whether or not they have permission
to live and work in the U.S. I think it is the fault of those who are not
allocating resources to pay decent wages to others to become educated, and
to fix our physical infrastructure and provide some very important services
to all of us.

Sincerely,

Sylvie Kashdan, M.A.
Instructor/Curriculum Coordinator
KAIZEN PROGRAM for New English Learners with Visual Limitations
810-A Hiawatha Place South
Seattle, WA  98144, U.S.A.
phone:  (206) 784-5619
email:  kaizen at literacyworks.org
web:  http://www.nwlincs.org/kaizen/


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Merle Ayres" <merleayres at hotmail.com>
To: <aaace-nla at lists.literacytent.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2007 6:08 PM
Subject: Re: [AAACE-NLA] AAACE-NLA Digest, Vol 46,Issue 10 Waiting List
Reduction


To Chris Francisco and all:  I was just thinking today about immigration and
stories and such. I watched last night on tv immigration impact raids on
families. Deportation of the Bedford,MA and Swift at Co in Iowa. It will break
up families and leave them with uncertain futures. Most came to work.
Likewise the turn of the century when the Finns of Minnesota, Norwegians
came looking for work. Chain migration where certain groups came all from
the same area. Northeastern Iowa and Southeastern Minnesota is where the
Norwegian families landed, including my own ancestors by way of the
St.Ansgar,Iowa area to Southern Minnesota. A trek from Chicago by oxen carts
to find land and work. 16 of them stayed in a sod hut over winter. Thanks to
my relatives who wrote the story down that I can relate to  today.
   I have some sympathy with Latinos finding there way. I can offer ESL
through my church and the school is picking up on the kids to learn english.
Its is sort of micro start or baby steps but something.
   I listened intently to Representative Steve King from Iowa on tv last
night about borders, keeping them out and workforce issues. He stated that
there is plenty of workers here now. Many that do not work and older people
who could work and we need not to have an influx of Latino workers. He has a
point and a right to an opinion as a congressman. He wants the fence to be
built, etc.

I still maintain that we have room and earning a way to citizenship be it
work or learning our language is one way. Adult literacy is a big help
towards this. When I see these new learners in class and see them learning
english, it is very rewarding. Mr. King has his opinon and I just differ
somewhat on his views. Ellis Islands history was good enough to make it into
a musuem. It tells the story of early immigrants. It is still evolving
today.


Merle Ayres
412 8th st. North
Humboldt,Iowa 50548
Tel.1-515-332-4630
Fax 515-332-1738





>From: Chris Francisco <cfranc2 at ilstu.edu>
>Reply-To: National Literacy Advocacy List sponsored by
>AAACE<aaace-nla at lists.literacytent.org>
>To: National Literacy Advocacy List sponsored by
>AAACE<aaace-nla at lists.literacytent.org>
>Subject: Re: [AAACE-NLA] AAACE-NLA Digest, Vol 46, Issue 10 Waiting  List
>Reduction
>Date: Fri, 16 Mar 2007 10:43:59 -0500
>
>Merle and all,
>
>I appreciate your post and request for information regarding
>immigration.  My mother came to America as a refugee of World War II.  Her
>English needed much help and she found that in ESL programs.  I was born in
>1948 and my earliest memories of the classroom were adult education lessons
>with my mom.  Church basements, and public schools were our foundation.  As
>her skills improved she began citizenship training.  In 1954 she attained
>her citizenship and has voted in every election since.  Being part of
>America and giving back to her new country has been a life-long
>process.  She has paid taxes, taught classes for other immigrants, been a
>tutor, and election judge, and participated in our nation's growth.  I
>became a teacher and adult educator in large part as a result of these
>lessons.  I am proud of my family's heritage and am grateful to the
>enterprise of adult education for what it does for so many.  Living in
>Illinois I have been fortunate to work with the Illinois Community College
>Board and the Illinois State Board of Education for the past thirty
>years       I have witnessed priorities slide from one side to the
>other.  What I have never seen change is the need for services for adults
>whether native born or not.  So often we hear the negative press broadcast
>about individuals "cheating" the system but do not hear the heroic stories
>of success.  Please know that I proud to share the stories of my mother,
>Margarita Francisco, and her journey of hope and citizenship from the ashes
>of war.  Be well and please continue to ask these important question in
>seeking the truth of literacy.  Giving and receiving are one in truth.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Chris Francisco
>Center for Adult Learning Leadership
>Illinois State University
>
>
>
> >I like some of the comments on immigration as it reaches the front of the
> >line in the recent raids in Iowa, Minnesota, Texas and Massachusetts.
> >Teaching English is helpful to immigrants and I think its the way to go
> >and let them earn citizenship. These very same issures were around the
> >turn of the century according to the book I read "Ellis Island Gateway to
> >the American Dream by Pamela Reeves." Guess we need to talk it up more to
> >offset all the negatives being said lately.
> >
> >
> >
> >Merle Ayres
> >412 8th st. North
> >Humboldt,Iowa 50548
> >Tel.1-515-332-4630
> >Fax 515-332-1738
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >>From: Janet Isserlis <Janet_Isserlis at brown.edu>
> >>Reply-To: National Literacy Advocacy List sponsored by
> >>AAACE<aaace-nla at lists.literacytent.org>
> >>To: National Literacy Advocacy List sponsored by
> >>AAACE<aaace-nla at lists.literacytent.org>
> >>Subject: Re: [AAACE-NLA] AAACE-NLA Digest, Vol 46, Issue 10 Waiting List
> >>Reduction
> >>Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 10:00:03 -0400
> >>
> >>Kearney
> >>
> >>in regards to Jane's claim ­ you say you know no such thing.  Can you
>say
> >>more about what it is you do know?
> >>
> >>And, as for your assertion of undocumented people cheating the system.
> >>While I absolutely respect your right to express your views, I wonder
>how
> >>you reconcile working in a field in which many do view their work as
>that of
> >>supporting adults' learning, (without making judgement about
>individuals'
> >>circumstances as such) with views that you have expressed that are
>clearly
> >>and broadly anti-immigrant when it comes to people's immigration status.
> >>
> >>I know you've spoken about the law, but I wonder if you've considered
>the
> >>circumstances under which people are compelled to come to a country
>which
> >>doesn't welcome them and in which they work very very hard in very very
> >>difficult jobs.  Are there really viable choices here?  I don't want to
> >>launch a pro/anti immigrant screed here, but would very much like to ask
>you
> >>and others on this list to begin to think carefully and try to
>articulate
> >>reasoned notions around our roles as educators, advocates (hence our
> >>presence on this list) and community members.
> >>
> >>
> >>Janet Isserlis
> >>
> >>
> >>Two concerns from an adult education professional who is interested in
> >>workers¹ rights and immigration issues:
> >>
> >>   First, what is the evidence that Jane Hugo's claim is valid: "Adult
> >>educators know that they
> >>must find ways to engage these potential students [who are on waiting
>lists]
> >>in meaningful
> >>learning activities as soon as possible or risk losing them."
> >>I am an adult educator and I know no such thing.
> >>
> >>   Second, does anyone know what portion of adult students who are
>already
> >>enrolled in
> >>our programs are illegal aliens who have cheated the system to gain
>entrance
> >>to our
> >>country, and hence into our classrooms?
> >>
> >>Kearney Lykins
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>----- Original Message ----
> >>From: "aaace-nla-request at lists.literacytent.org"
> >><aaace-nla-request at lists.literacytent.org>
> >>To: aaace-nla at lists.literacytent.org
> >>Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2007 12:00:03 PM
> >>Subject: AAACE-NLA Digest, Vol 46, Issue 10
> >>
> >>Send AAACE-NLA mailing list submissions to
> >>     aaace-nla at lists.literacytent.org
> >>
> >>To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
> >>     http://lists.literacytent.org/mailman/listinfo/aaace-nla
> >>or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
> >>     aaace-nla-request at lists.literacytent.org
> >>
> >>You can reach the person managing the list at
> >>     aaace-nla-owner at lists.literacytent.org
> >>
> >>When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> >>than "Re: Contents of AAACE-NLA digest..."
> >>
> >>
> >>Today's Topics:
> >>
> >>    1.  Waiting List Reduction Resources Available from    ProLiteracy
> >>       (jhugo)
> >>    2.  Report released by Southern Poverty Law Center (Lynda Terrill)
> >>
> >>
> >>----------------------------------------------------------------------
> >>
> >>Message: 1
> >>Date: Tue, 13 Mar 2007 16:59:24 -0500
> >>From: jhugo <jhugo at proliteracy.org>
> >>Subject: [AAACE-NLA] Waiting List Reduction Resources Available from
> >>     ProLiteracy
> >>To: 'National Literacy Advocacy List sponsored by AAACE'
> >>     <aaace-nla at lists.literacytent.org>
> >>Message-ID:
> >>     <221E918332E818488687199E5CBD74CE0603913C at keats.proliteracy.org>
> >>Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="iso-8859-1"
> >>
> >>
> >>According to recent surveys, thousands of potential adult basic literacy
>and
> >>English-language students across the country wait each month to start
> >>learning. Adult educators know that they must find ways to engage these
> >>potential students in meaningful learning activities as soon as possible
>or
> >>risk losing them.
> >>
> >>A resource that addresses how to reduce waiting lists is now available
>free,
> >>online from ProLiteracy America: Promising Practices: Reducing Waiting
>Lists
> >>in Adult Education and Literacy Programs (73-pages, pdf format).
> >>
> >>ProLiteracy worked with twenty-three adult education and literacy
>programs
> >>to identify promising practices that help reduce student waiting lists.
>In
> >>addition to the booklet, two videos (require high speed Internet
>connection)
> >>and the resources referred to in the booklet are available at
> >>www.proliteracy.org/resources.asp
><http://www.proliteracy.org/resources.asp>
> >><http://www.proliteracy.org/resources.asp>.
> >>
> >>This project was made possible through the generous support of the
>Dollar
> >>General Literacy Foundation.
> >>
> >>For more information, contact Michele Diecuch at info at proliteracy.org.
> >>
> >>
> >>Jane M. Hugo
> >>Director of Special Projects
> >>ProLiteracy America
> >>1320 Jamesville Ave.
> >>Syracuse, NY  13210
> >>Phone: 315-422-9121, Ext. 318
> >>Fax: 315-422-6369
> >>Email:jhugo at proliteracy.org
> >>www.proliteracy.org <http://www.proliteracy.org>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>------------------------------
> >>
> >>Message: 2
> >>Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2007 09:12:21 -0500
> >>From: "Lynda Terrill" <lrtschmed at hotmail.com>
> >>Subject: [AAACE-NLA] Report released by Southern Poverty Law Center
> >>To: aaace-nla at lists.literacytent.org
> >>Message-ID: <BAY135-F373F1A0C080BC0C25D0AEB1730 at phx.gbl>
> >>Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
> >>
> >>Dear colleagues,
> >>
> >>On March  12, the Southern Poverty Law Center
> >>(http://www.splcenter.org/index.jsp ) announced a new report, Close to
> >>Slavery: Guestworker Programs in the United States
> >>(http://www.splcenter.org/news/item.jsp?aid=247). The report can be
> >>downloaded in pdf format at
> >>http://www.splcenter.org/pdf/static/SPLCguestworker.pdf . This report
>may be
> >>of interest to those involved with workers¹ rights and immigration
>issues.
> >>
> >>Lynda Terrill
> >>lrtschmed at msn.com
> >>
> >>_________________________________________________________________
> >>Play Flexicon: the crossword game that feeds your brain. PLAY now for
>FREE.
> >>   http://zone.msn.com/en/flexicon/default.htm?icid=flexicon_hmtagline
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>------------------------------
> >>
> >>_______________________________________________
> >>AAACE-NLA mailing list
> >>AAACE-NLA at lists.literacytent.org
> >>http://lists.literacytent.org/mailman/listinfo/aaace-nla
> >>
> >>
> >>End of AAACE-NLA Digest, Vol 46, Issue 10
> >>*****************************************
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>  Get your own web address.
>
>><http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=49678/*http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/domains/
?p>=BESTDEAL>
> >>  Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business.
>
>><http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=49678/*http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/domains/
?p>=BESTDEAL>
> >>
> >>_______________________________________________
> >>AAACE-NLA mailing list: AAACE-NLA at lists.literacytent.org
> >>http://lists.literacytent.org/mailman/listinfo/aaace-nla
> >>LiteracyTent: web hosting, news, community and goodies for literacy
> >>http://literacytent.org
> >
> >
> >>_______________________________________________
> >>AAACE-NLA mailing list: AAACE-NLA at lists.literacytent.org
> >>http://lists.literacytent.org/mailman/listinfo/aaace-nla
> >>LiteracyTent: web hosting, news, community and goodies for literacy
> >>http://literacytent.org
> >
> >_________________________________________________________________
> >Interest Rates near 39yr lows! $430,000 Mortgage for $1,399/mo -
>Calculate
> >new payment
>
>http://www.lowermybills.com/lre/index.jsp?sourceid=lmb-9632-18466&moid=7581
> >
> >
> >_______________________________________________
> >AAACE-NLA mailing list: AAACE-NLA at lists.literacytent.org
> >http://lists.literacytent.org/mailman/listinfo/aaace-nla
> >LiteracyTent: web hosting, news, community and goodies for literacy
> >http://literacytent.org
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>AAACE-NLA mailing list: AAACE-NLA at lists.literacytent.org
>http://lists.literacytent.org/mailman/listinfo/aaace-nla
>LiteracyTent: web hosting, news, community and goodies for literacy
>http://literacytent.org

_________________________________________________________________
5.5%* 30 year fixed mortgage rate. Good credit refinance. Up to 5 free
quotes - *Terms
https://www2.nextag.com/goto.jsp?product=100000035&url=%2fst.jsp&tm=y&search=mortgage_text_links_88_h2a5d&s=4056&p=5117&disc=y&vers=910




----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----


_______________________________________________
AAACE-NLA mailing list: AAACE-NLA at lists.literacytent.org
http://lists.literacytent.org/mailman/listinfo/aaace-nla
LiteracyTent: web hosting, news, community and goodies for literacy
http://literacytent.org

More information about the AAACE-NLA mailing list