Success Stories
Cynthia Spannuth
Volunteer tutor
Cynthia Spannuth has been a volunteer with GPLC since 2002, and she has tutored both adult basic education and ESL (English as a second language) students in the South Hills and South Pittsburgh areas. We asked her a few questions about her volunteer experiences.
Why did you start volunteering?
I’ve been in the Pittsburgh area since 1997 and have always been interested in literacy, but I always worked. But when I stopped working, I had to have something to do, so I called GPLC and went to training.
Why do you continue to volunteer?
I love it more every time. It’s good to see students who are enthusiastic. My ESL students are so spontaneous.
What do you get out of volunteering?
It was one of the best decisions I ever made. [Volunteering] revitalized me. My life is more interesting. I’m more interesting!
What advice do you have for new volunteers?
Don’t make it work. Make it fun - so it’s fun for you and for your students. They’ll learn more. Be flexible! I bring in a few things to our sessions and sometimes we get to it and sometimes we don’t. Go with your student. If they bring in something they need help with, then do that.
What have you learned from your students?
From my adult basic education student, I learned patience. From my ESL students, I learned about other cultures. My students have traveled and lived in many areas of the world, and when we discuss things, I try to relate it back to them and their experiences. Like customs in marriage, death, etc. I’m always interested in learning something new, which my students are more than eager to teach me.
What have you learned from being a volunteer tutor?
Self-fulfillment. There are many different ideas and customs of which I was unaware. I learned you can be different and still be right. I always considered myself three-dimensional, but through volunteering I have rethought that and now perhaps I am.
Walter Long
Student
Some time ago Walter Long faced up to his problem with literacy when he tried to read a bedtime story to his 4-year-old daughter. Unable to read the story as written, he made up a similar story by looking at the pictures. His daughter caught him doing this and said, “That’s not the way Mom read the story to me.” Walter decided then and there to solve his reading difficulties.
After three years of being tutored by a GPLC volunteer, Mr. Long had met his goals, including understanding documents for his job and helping his kids with their schoolwork. He no longer made up the words to bedtime stories.
But he didn’t stop there. Attending a national literacy conference, he was amazed by the thousands of adults like himself who needed help with reading. He attended another national meeting of literacy students with former First Lady Barbara Bush, who told him to become an ambassador for adult literacy. Walter has done just that. He has served as a board member of Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council and of ProLiteracy Worldwide. In 2006 he traveled to Durban, South Africa, to speak to a South African national meeting on adult literacy. He will continue to speak to groups about literacy and the transformation that happens in people’s lives when they learn basic skills.
Willie Cannon
Student
Willie Cannon always planned to become a draftsman, but some years ago a guidance counselor told him that there would be no openings for African-Americans in that field. Discouraged, he dropped out of school in 12th grade.
An extremely hard-working person, Willie always found employment. At one point in his life, he was making $24 an hour as a factory worker, a job he held for 27 years. As the industry began to change, he learned eight different jobs before being laid off. At the Pittsburgh CareerLink, where he went to look for work, 33 possible careers popped up on the computer screen when he entered his skills and experience. Nearly all of them, and especially the better-paying jobs, required a high school diploma.
He enrolled in the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council and worked hard on math, writing, and test-taking skills. In order to support himself while going to GPLC classes, he took a minimum-wage job at a local hotel. He worked the night shift and then came to morning class without any chance to sleep until afternoon. In class, he asked a lot of questions and got involved in solving math problems.
He recently received his high school equivalency or GED and has entered a training program in building maintenance funded by the Workforce Investment Act. He believes that getting his GED will have an influence on his family, especially his son, who is wandering without much direction in his life. It will show his son that anyone, at any age, can move forward on a direct path to success.
Michael Miller
Student
Michael Miller plans to have a successful career in the field of health care. Before he could be trained for that career, he knew he needed to get his high school diploma. He came to GPLC in 2007 and worked very diligently for a few months to complete his high school education. After getting his GED, he moved on to a school for health careers. Here are his comments.
Why did you come to GPLC?
I was working at a job in the health care field that required a GED diploma, and I didn’t have one. I never finished high school and needed the diploma for the career I wanted. I saw an ad in the local newspaper about GPLC and called to register.
What goals have you reached?
My first goal was to obtain my high school equivalency and get back into college so I could start my career. I received my GED three months after I started at GPLC and am currently enrolled in post-secondary education.
Describe the teachers and volunteers at GPLC.
All of them are awesome – understanding, patient, and concerned about nothing except helping students to get their high school equivalency and move on to better things in life.
Would you encourage other students to go to GPLC?
Yes, I would definitely do so in hopes they would see there are better things than working at a low-paying job or not doing anything at all.
What advice do you have for other students at GPLC?
I would tell them to stick with it. It’s a good program, and if you’re willing to put forth the effort, then the people here are willing to teach you what you need.
How is your life different today as a result of GPLC programs?
The organization gave me a better outlook about things and helped me get back into school. It’s a big accomplishment to get your GED. It shows that you put forth the effort to finish what you’ve started.
Halima Abdalla
Student
Halima Abdalla is originally from Somalia and was living in a refugee camp in Kenya before coming to Pittsburgh. She plans to live here permanently. Halima hopes to find a full-time job in a professional environment after she obtains her GED (high school equivalency). She is currently working part-time as a translator and part-time at Wendy's. She has made great progress in English language skills through classes at GPLC.
Why did you come to GPLC?
I came to improve my English, get my GED and get a better job. I wanted to improve my reading to better my life and future.
What goals have you reached?
I was able to get a better job. I was offered a position as a translator because my English has improved so much. I have translated for Catholic Charities and area hospitals.
Describe the teachers and volunteers at GPLC:
My teacher, Josh, was very nice. He worked hard with us, and the volunteers help the teachers. We always have work to do; there is no playing. We help each other. My new teacher is very nice and fun.
Would you encourage other students to go to GPLC?
Yes, for sure. I would also explain to them how GPLC works.
What advice do you have for other students at GPLC?
Take your time, don’t hurry or rush. Go slow.
How is your life different today as a result of GPLC programs?
When I first came (to GPLC) I didn’t know what was going on. Now, everything in the community is easier for me.
Mourad Frites
Student
Why did you come to GPLC?
I like the idea of one-on-one tutoring. The tutor can evaluate your level and can work on specific issues.
What goals have you reached?
My main goal was to learn to write better than before. I have also learned cultural issues and how to talk with Americans. I can read the newspaper better.
Describe the teachers and volunteers at GPLC:
They are willing to help. They are people who like to help people.
Would you encourage other students to go to GPLC?
Of course, I always ask my friends to go to GPLC.
What advice do you have for other students at GPLC?
In time, you will make it. Notify your tutor if you can’t come. Try to be friends with your tutor.
How is your life different today as a result of GPLC programs?
Things are much easier than before. Life is much easier.
Ar Mu Mu
Student
Ar Mu Mu and her family fled to America from Burma in 2005 to escape violence and ethnic discrimination. They arrived feeling overwhelmed and alone. "When I first came to U.S.A. I was very upset," Ar Mu Mu says. "I couldn't speak English, and I couldn't go anywhere. I didn't have any friends."
Then, Ar Mu Mu, her husband and their four children enrolled in Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council's Families for Learning program. They gained a nurturing support system and the opportunity to learn the language skills they needed to survive and thrive in this country.
As their English skills grew stronger, so did their capacity to succeed. Ar Mu Mu's husband found full-time employment, and she is studying for her citizenship test and has made friends from a dozen countries. In addition, all four children are excelling in school. The family participates in all GPLC's Families for Learning program has to offer – from weekly visits to the library to field trips to Pittsburgh sites to activities that engage them in the community
Carmen Hernandez
Student
Carmen, a native of Mexico, came to Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council when her son Diego was a preschooler. “I knew that I had to be able to speak with his teachers and help him with homework and I knew I had to learn the language,” Carmen explains.
Since September 2006, she has attended English as a Second Language (ESL) classes two evenings a week, working on her reading and writing skills so that she would be able to read notes from Diego’s teachers and understand his report card.
Carmen feels more confident about her English language skills and is more likely to socialize with people now. She’s speaking and writing English more fluently and continues to work on her spelling. Diego, now five, started kindergarten this fall.
She encourages anyone who wants to work on their skills to come to GPLC. “It is good for you and your family. You will have a better future in this country and a better opportunity in your job.”
Lorie Zehr
Student
Lorie dropped out of school in eighth grade to care for her sick mother. She worked hard throughout her life, cleaning people’s homes while raising a family. Education didn’t seem important to Lorie until her great-grandaughter Misha asked her to read a book. Lorie fumbled with the words.
“I knew one thing. A grandmother is supposed to read to her grandchildren,” says Lorie. She came to Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council and began working with Sherry, a volunteer tutor. The two met for four hours a week for two years. As a result, today Lorie and Misha are regulars at their local library.
And, the excitement of learning has spread: Lorie’s granddaughter, Rachel, earned her GED® certificate and is now in her first year of nursing school.
Lorie summed it up: “I learned it is never to late to learn and it’s never too late to teach. You don’t know who you’re going to inspire.”
Diane Jordan
Student
Although Diane did well in school, it just wasn’t a priority for her or her family. She dropped out in 10th grade. At age 19, Diane learned about a program that helps welfare recipients gain the skills they need to move from welfare to work.
As part of this program Diane began attending GED® preparation classes at Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council. Four days a week, a GPLC staff instructor helped Diane and her classmates improve their writing, math, social studies and science skills. “I never thought I’d be able to learn,” Diane says. “GPLC brought out all this potential in me.”
Diane passed the GED® exams this summer and proudly participated in our September graduation celebration. She plans to pursue a career in health care while ensuring that her three children excel in school. “GPLC gave me the skills to conquer any goal I have,” Diane says. “And I want to help my kids become whatever they want to become.”
Gary Piriano
Student
Gary had trouble with day-to-day activities like completing a job application, reading the newspaper, and even understanding his mail. He wanted to get a job, volunteer in his community, and, just maybe, read a book from start to finish.
After a year and a half of working with a volunteer tutor at Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council, Gary is now employed. He is a regular at his local library -- and he even reads aloud at his church fellowship group. “I realized I had the ability to read like everybody else,” Gary says. “I’ve become much more confident in myself and am doing things I never thought I’d do.”
Willie Costello
Volunteer Tutor
Why did you start volunteering?
After spending nine months living in Japan, I realized how difficult learning a foreign language in a foreign country can be. Furthermore, I realized that just learning from textbooks wasn't enough; to learn to speak and truly understand any language, you need to talk with actual people. After returning to America, I wanted to help English as a Second Language learners with this difficult task, and GPLC was the perfect way to do this.
What do you get out of volunteering?
Volunteering to me is just a lot of fun. I really enjoy spending time with all of my students, and it's a great feeling to know that I'm helping them at the same time.
What has been your greatest success with your students? greatest challenge?
In my opinion, one of the best feelings is making people laugh in a foreign language, so I love it when I see my students make jokes--and they're often very good jokes. It shows me that my students feel comfortable to open up with each other, and that's a great success. The greatest challenge is figuring out when a student has really learned a particular lesson. Learning a language is a perpetual process, and it may take several weeks or months before any particular lesson is learned and remembered.
Would you encourage others to become GPLC volunteers?
Absolutely!
What advice do you have for new tutors/volunteers?
It's often hard to see your students' progress as you are tutoring them. Remember that all changes will be gradual; you'd be surprised at the vast improvements that can occur without you even realizing it.
What have you learned from your experience with GPLC?
I've learned a lot about English and just how hard a language it is sometimes! Also, my students have taught me about other cultures.
Carlton Lewis
Volunteer tutor
Why did you start volunteering?
About five or six years ago I was inspired by Joel Osteen’s book Your Best Life Now. In it there’s a well-written chapter on giving to others.
Why do you continue to volunteer?
I haven’t discovered an activity quite as rewarding as this.
What do you get out of volunteering?
The reward is in the knowing that you are helping someone without expecting them to return the gesture.
What advice do you have for new volunteers?
It seemed like such a long time ago that I studied the English language, so I was concerned about recalling all the rules and nuances, and then being able to explain them to a student. My advice is not to worry because the materials, training, support from GPLC staff, and just being with your student(s) ensure that you have everything you need to be successful in tutoring.
What have you learned from your students?
Two things I’ve learned stand out:
1) How easy it is to prepare a lesson plan week to week just based on your student’s life and conversation; and your knowledge, training and creativity.
2) Since my student is from the largest town in Northeast China, I’ve learned a great deal about someplace half a world away without actually having visited. So I would say the cultural exchange is definitely a benefit.
What have you learned from being a volunteer tutor?
I’ve learned to develop a lesson plan that is engaging, not overbearing, applicable, memorable, enjoyable and appropriate for my student. Also, I’ve learned just how difficult a language English can be to learn and practice.
