Donna, during the panel discussion, emphasized that “the biggest outcome was that adult learners were learning and building a sense of community” (photo credit: Jake Witherell)
Lisa Garrone, ABCD ESOL Coordinator-Roslindale, highlighted many outcomes of our replication grant.
Meenakshi Khanna, ABCD ESOL Instructor, shared about inviting the adult learners to define wellbeing for themselves while affirming their own coping strategies AND learning English!
By Donna Stiglmeier, Director of Casserly House
What a pleasure to share a First Literacy presentation with Lisa Garrone and Meenakshi Khanna from our partner organization ABCD Boston-Roslindale ESOL Program. At Bunker Hill Community College on November 7th, First Literacy hosted “Spotlight on Innovation” with an amazing speaker, Dr. Vitalis Osuji who kicked off the morning with telling us about his journey from Nigeria to the U.S., from adult learner to realizing his dream of becoming a doctor. The morning also included presentations from the previous year’s grantees. Casserly House was a recipient two years ago for a project to equip volunteer ESOL instructors with teaching tools – lesson plans and an assessment, and strategies to engage newly arrive immigrants with little to no English skills. This initial, seed grant helped Casserly House garner future operating funds from MGH Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital Community Health Impact Funds and the City of Boston. In the second year of First Literacy funding, Casserly House was then eligible for a “replication grant” to share our work with ABCD. ABCD expanded our lesson on Immigrant Mental Health and Wellness, a very important need right now, across multiple levels of learners. Thank you ABCD Boston in Roslindale for your ongoing partnership with Casserly House and leadership of our Roslindale Adult Literacy Community Planning Group (facilitated by Bill Campbell). Thank you, First Literacy, for seeding innovative ideas that get ahead of emerging needs and build on the strengths of our adult learners so they can reach their goals! For more on the “Spotlight on Innovation”, visit the First Literacy Blog.
Donna set the context for the presentation, with an assessment tool and lesson plans developed and workshops offered.