The Digital Resilience in the American Workforce (DRAW) initiative prepares adult education practitioners who support learners who struggle to fully engage in tasks that demand digital technologies. The DRAW Professional Development Pilot will train instructors and state leads on integrating DRAW materials, methods, activities, and tools into their programs and professional development training. Information on this project can be found by clicking here.

Marsha Taylor, AALRC; Amanda Moore, SAU Tech; Brandi Ricks, SAU Tech; Brandy Chronister, Russellville Adult Education; and Browder Swetnam, Russellville Adult Education Center, attended the Project Kick-Off in Virginia February 28 – March 2, 2023. They will be participating in coaching sessions led by Glenda Rose from Texas. 

Engage Arkansas during the 2019-2023 fiscal years. The plan was to grow this program so that all adult education programs could eventually host an AmeriCorps Member. Beginning a new program during a national pandemic is not recommended. All kidding aside, getting people to serve in the programs has been a struggle.

ATU Ozark and Crawford County Adult Education Program have both hosted members this year.

The members are working directly with adult education students. The members are tasked with providing services to adult learners helping them to secure employment and enroll in post-secondary education or technical education. In addition, AmeriCorps members recruit volunteers to help provide financial literacy and pre-registration for post-secondary education and facilitate job readiness training.

In 2023-2024, this program will be administered by the Arkansas Reads program at Adult Learning Alliance (ALA). The new grant guidelines made it possible for ALA and AALRC to work together to serve literacy and adult education students in Arkansas. This is an exciting opportunity for all involved. AmeriCorps members continue to greatly impact the programs they serve in Arkansas. You will be hearing all about the new programming soon. If you know someone interested in becoming a member, please have them contact Marsha Taylor at the AALRC. 

Read up, do your homework in advance! - Training should always come with some form of instructions for joining or directions - via email, letter, or other communication. It generally will include details of meeting location, time, parking, pre-work, assessment, and any equipment you might need to bring. If you don't know these details, then ask for them prior to the training, as you don't want or any surprises on the day. Also, there's a lot you can find out online, so do your research!

Early bird catches the worm - Give yourself plenty of time to get there so plan on arriving early. This will help prevent a last-minute rush of anxiety. A little extra time allows you to find parking (if driving), locate meeting rooms, get refreshments, or use the facilities before the start of the training. It also allows attendees to meet and mingle with others and of course, find a good seat!

Attitude to learning - Have a positive attitude towards learning as you never know where it could take you next. Remember, "every day can be a learning opportunity," and may be the very thing that changes your life forever. It's also critical to remember that it's not just the trainer that brings knowledge and experience to a training session; you do too! When you share personal experiences, you'd be amazed at just how powerful these stories can be for others; being confident and engaged in the training not only makes you feel valued, but it can be beneficial to the learning process for everyone. So, ask yourself, what knowledge and experience am I taking in?

Dedicate the time to learn - I've seen so many times people attending training who are preoccupied with other things going on around them like, emails, phone calls, and appointments. This is more common when training takes place in a workplace, but it can happen anywhere, especially with technology. Not only does it distract the individual, but it's also quite distracting to the other attendees. Distractions can impede learning. Be sure that you've marked yourself 'out of the office' or 'unavailable' for the entire time of the training. Before the training starts, switch off your computers and phones. Also, don't be tempted during the break to "just check that email" or "make that quick call" because it may cause you to become distracted.

You're amazing - Before attending a course, it's natural to have doubts about why you are there or if the training goals will be achievable. These limiting self-belief's may lead to a limiting attitude and sometimes behaviors, and will often hinder you from maximizing your full potential. Be positive always, believe in yourself; you can achieve amazing things when you believe you can. It's also important to remember that we all learn and develop differently, so don't compare yourself to others, especially when you're learning a new skill! Lastly, USE the information you learn!! What good is training if you never use it? Think outside the box, learn ways the trainings can fully benefit you and the people you serve. Now… are you READY for your next training?

(Retrieved from: https://targettrg.co.uk/blog/attending-training-5-tips-to-make-you-better-prepared-to-learn/, March 16, 2023.Fraser, Scott) 

DISABILITIES

In Remembrance of Judith Heumann

On March 4th, the disability world lost a giant. Imagine being excited to start elementary school, but overhearing your parents being told your wheelchair is a fire hazard and asked not to return. Or imagine a panel denying your earned degree in education, citing your wheelchair would inhibit your ability to assist students in an emergency. In addition, your complaint was turned down by the ACLU who stated that no discrimination had taken place. Fast forward several decades and this same person would become the first educator in a wheelchair in New York City, as well as leading protests with disability communities, state leaders and Black Panthers. In 1993, being named the Assistant Secretary Department of Education under President Bill Clinton and first director of the Department of Disability Services under President Obama. Her inspiring Ted Talk has been viewed over a million times. She will truly be remembered as a pioneer for disability rights and the fruits of her legacy will provide for years to come. Read more about Judith Heumann here.

The Adult Learning Alliance (ALA) is beginning a “A Million Reasons Why to Support Adult Literacy” campaign. The campaign began as a call to educate legislators about the services the literacy councils provide to low-level adult students and ask for support for an increase in state funding to $1 million. The campaign resulted in at least a half-dozen letters to editors around the state, numerous radio interviews, four Facebook posts (with 36 shares and an audience of 1,827), and concluded with our first-ever legislative luncheon. Due to the success of the campaign, ALA will continue the campaign to educate the general public about adult literacy, expanding it to include reasons to get involved.