Write to Read Program • Alameda County Library
2450 Stevenson Blvd. Fremont, CA 94538

Dr. Luis Kong
Literacy Program Director
510-745-1484

I came to this job as a parent, a student, an activist and a worker. I remember how we were told to “eradicate illiteracy” as if we were pulling weeds from a garden. How do we delink the idea that “illiteracy” equals poverty, crime, and irresponsibility? How do we challenge the labels that have been placed on adults? Should students change their life to obtain a GED, or question whether the GED is a valid test? Should students improve their reading skills to take a job test or should we assess the validity of the test? Should we help our students overcome barriers or should we challenge the purpose of the barriers?

We who are practitioners and administrators in the field of adult literacy have our own responsibility in setting up the divide between literacy and illiteracy. How valid is this division? As a literacy practitioner and program director I believe it is our obligation to address these questions; by doing so, we can remove the labels that have attached themselves to so many fine people and refocus our efforts on improving the education of the current generation.

Darlene Garcia
Student Advocate
Student Orientation/Information Meetings
510-745-1493

It's amazing how enthusiastic people can be when their learning is relevant to everyday living. For example, interest in the political process led one class to develop a voter's guide. As a result, many class members voted for the first time. People who used to be intimidated at the prospect of attending a PTA meeting or parent-teacher conference are now teaching other parents the basic steps for parent-school interaction. The class developed the Action for Children's Education brochure. Before I got this job I was a member of a learning group. The most important lesson I learned was that we, as students, could learn from each other. That concept was brand new to me then. It's a lesson that is reaffirmed for me everytime I see an adult learner gain the confidence to try something new. And that's much more than simply learning how to read.

Krista Shaffer
Teacher
510-745-1473

I enjoy my work in the adult literacy program as a teacher and learner of small group classes. Some of the themes and questions my classes and I have explored include equal rights in education, women's rights, labor issues, who is an American, and how can we challenge labels. I bring in materials (books, articles, poems, songs, videos, etc.) based on the themes and questions of concern to each particular group. As we sort through these materials, I try to help students identify and practice different reading, writing, and thinking tools, and encourage everyone to share the knowledge and insights that they bring with them. I love this job because I am constantly learning new ways of seeing the world from the students I work with, and because I am continually challenged by the job of preparing meaningful classes. I believe teaching is an art form that requires passion, creativity, commitment, and hard work. I hope to be practicing it for many years to come.

Kiran Malavade
Teacher
510-745-1573

I joined the staff at WRITE TO READ in 2001, coming here from work at City College of San Francisco and SF State University. I was eager to come to a program that I believe works closely with the students to create a learning environment that is meaningful and exciting. By trying out new activities and listening to feedback from students, the students in my classes and I have been working together, making connections, and learning about each other's ideas and backgrounds. In this program, every day is a new challenge, and that can be scary as well as rewarding. In my experience here, "students" are clearly teachers, and the "teacher" is clearly another student.

Amy Cheney
Family Literacy
Juvenile Hall Literacy
510-745-1482

I love finding community and developing programs that bring excitement about reading, writing and books. I have been lucky to work in creating a school-library tutoring program, and establishing a library and author visit program to youth in a Juvenile Hall setting. I love to share children's books with people of all ages.

Rachel Parra
Enrollment/General Information
510-745-1480