Literacy Council of Bowie and Miller Counties

Ida Walker

Ms. Ida Walker is a literacy student at the Learning Lab in Miller County. She started taking classes several years ago. It has been a struggle for her at times, but she is making progress. Ms. Walker said, “They have helped me come a long way in trying to learn to read.” 

Ismael Sotozamora

Ismael Sotozamora began attending ESL classes in the summer of 2006 because he wanted to learn English. There was no instructor or tutor at the time. He attended faithfully and worked on the ESL material on his computer. The following is his summary about the program: “I came to the Literacy Council to learn English. They also taught me about computers. The teachers tell me what I’m going to be doing to learn English. All the people are very helpful to me. The ESL class is very helpful.” 

Luther Waller

Luther Waller came to our council at the suggestion of his employer, JCM Industries, in January 2007.  Luther is 38 years old and received his high school diploma.  After his initial assessment at our offices (including JOST and TABE 7E), we learned the student was reading at level 3.1 (TABE) and his score on JOST was 4.4.  Luther showed classic indications of visual dyslexia and had trouble with phonics.  He was paired with a tutor immediately and began working in Laubauch Skill Book 1. 

After only 5 short months at Luther’s first reassessment, his TABE score had improved to 4.1 in reading.  Luther is now working out of Laubauch Skill Book 3.  

Luther is a great student and works hard at his goal to read better so he can take care of his family and himself.  He is showing great progress at his goal of improving work skills and increasing his confidence level.  Luther meets with his tutor two evenings every week for two hours.  He stops by our offices to study every chance he gets to work on the computer with “Ultimate Phonics” and “Reading for Adults.”  Luther’s tutor has been impressed with his dedication.  Lately, when Luther is waiting for his tutoring session, he will pick up the newspaper and read!

Rosario Fuentes

Rosario Fuentes found out she could learn to speak and read English in a free program at our council through her church. Rosario has been a student since October 2007, and rarely misses a class. She is 46 years old, married, and is originally from Mexico. Rosario wants to communicate better with people she meets every day and she wants to be educated when she shops for groceries. 

When Rosario first came to our offices, she needed a translator to complete the initial paperwork with information such as address and marital status. Her initial Best Plus Score was 353, which was obvious she needed to be in the Basic Class at Level 1.  

The ESL Basic Class Instructor notes Rosario is very attentive and always comes to class prepared to learn. It is obvious to the instructor she does her “homework” and practices speaking English outside of class. Rosario can communicate much better now in the six months she has attended class and no longer needs a translator for most conversations. At her re-assessment in February, Rosario’s Best Plus Score rose to 425—which put her at Level 3 in four short months.  She feels more confident when she shops and feels she is not being taken advantage of.