Meet Vita's New Educators | | |
Alan Hahn, Lead Math Instructor
Originally from South Carolina, I spent my youth learning about math & physics, volunteering for the Greenville Literacy Association, and enjoying SC's nature. After several years in higher ed at Clemson University I started a new journey in secondary ed towards the end of the pandemic. Starting in Chicago and ultimately resulting with me in Philly, this several year journey in secondary ed helped me better relate to my students, and this time in cities helped shape my love for biking and solidarity. When I'm not working, I'm often chatting with friends, volunteering, or playing some kind of sport.
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Zoë Snyder, Lead Reading Instructor
I completed my undergraduate degree at Smith College in 2017, spent time teaching middle and elementary school in South Korea, and then returned to receive a MA in Applied Linguistics from UMass Boston. My journey into adult education has been a little unorthodox - in fact, I have also collected Upper Montessori certification - but the time I've spent with Vita's students has grown into an incredible appreciation for the tenacity, grace, and humor everyone brings to the classroom. I truly enjoy collaborating and growing with my students, and I cannot wait to continue working alongside them. I moonlight as a bookseller at a tiny indie bookstore in Lahaska and am always happy to give out recommendations!
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Jessica Gallagher, Digital & Assessment Literacy Specialist/English Language Learning Instructor
I attended Rutgers University and earned a degree in English. Straight out of school, I worked at a not-for-profit school in the Development office. While I was there, I realized my heart was truly in education. After completing the student-teaching program and getting certified, I taught high school English for a little over a decade, and I pivoted to teaching adult English Language Learners. I loved working with adult learners, and I went back to school to get my ESL certification. I’m so excited to continue working with Vita's adult learners. When I’m not working, I love photography, gardening, and of course, spending time with my amazing family.
| | Welcoming Vita's Summer Interns | |
Hi! I’m Mary Katherine Hackenberg and I am interning at Vita this summer through Haverford College’s Kevin R. Jones Fund. I’m an upcoming sophomore at Haverford, looking to pursue a career in public service.
Here at Vita, I've been working with Family Literacy in Bristol and Warminster, as well as updating content and course material for our Jobs Readiness and Decisions for Teens programs. Vita has both an incredibly important mission and an extraordinary team working to uphold said mission everyday. I am grateful to be a small part of the change to better our community. Fun fact: my family lives on a sheep farm, so I recently taught a felting class during the summer Family Literacy Programs at both the Bristol and Warminster locations!
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My name is Kaylah Baylor, and I am 21 years old. I attend West Chester University and will be graduating in December with a degree in Criminal Justice. I have been completing my internship at Vita, and my experience has been amazing. This internship gave me the opportunity to explore different career paths within the criminal justice field and helped me figure out what I want to pursue in the future. One of the things I appreciated most about Vita is that they allow interns to experience more than one program to gain a better understanding of different areas of the field. I had the pleasure of working with Emily Thomas, who has been an incredible mentor throughout my internship. She always made sure I felt comfortable, included, and encouraged to learn and ask questions. Her guidance helped me build confidence and make the most of this experience.
Visiting the Bucks County Youth Center and the Bucks County Correctional Facility was a completely new experience for me. Being able to observe these facilities firsthand gave me a different perspective on the criminal justice system that cannot be learned in a classroom. Seeing how these organizations operate and interacting with professionals in the field made everything I have studied feel more real. This internship has strengthened my passion for criminal justice and has prepared me for my future career.
| | Small Round-Up's, Brighter Futures! | | |
A huge thank-you to Kimberton Whole Foods, its Ottsville team, and the many generous customers who rounded up at the register for Vita this June.
Thanks to shoppers' support, plus the company's generous match, Vita received $7,147 to help fund programs for our students and clients. As Morgan Updyke, Kimberton Whole Foods' Marketing Outreach Coordinator, put it: "It's always inspiring to come together to support meaningful work in our community." We're grateful for partners like Kimberton Whole Foods who make this kind of impact possible for Vita and other local nonprofits.
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Vita Education Services is seeking a part-time Family Literacy Instructor based at the Centennial School District Administration Building in Warminster, PA. This year-round position requires 26.3 hours per week for 52 weeks. The role includes a comprehensive benefits package with paid time off, a health plan, and a Simple IRA retirement plan.
Click here for more information
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Beat the summer heat with these handpicked books from the Vita staff. Whether you are relaxing poolside, lounging on the beach, or staying cool indoors, these great reads are your perfect seasonal companions!
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Heather Giampapa, Executive Director, loved The Director, by Daniel Kehlmann.
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Lisa Sheehy, Family Literacy Instructor, recommends Coal River, by Ellen Maire Wiseman.
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Gail Huber, Director of Cognitive Skills Programs, enjoyed The Correspondent, by Virginia Evans.
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Trish Malloy, Administration/Programs Assistant, suggests Eternal, by Lisa Scottoline.
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Douglas Green, ELL Tutoring Coordinator is currently reading The Bubble Economy, by Christopher Wood.
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