Learning Matters Blog and VAL Updates

Focus on the future and what can be ~Cathryn Hayes (12/10/2020) - VAL-Windham Director, Cathryn Hayes, is retiring in December after eight years at our organization. We appreciate Cathryn’s many contributions and, although we will miss her, we are excited for what the future holds for her in this new chapter. Cathryn grew up on the U.S.-Canadian border in Massena, New York. It was across-cultural community where educational, sports and entertainment activities were accessed equally between New York and Ontario. Crossing the border was easy. You simply waved to your friendly border guard! She attended SUNY Potsdam, earning a degree in Psychology. She holds an M.Ed. in Counseling and Human Behavior from St. Lawrence…

Meet Dee Dee O’Brien VAL Volunteer (11/25/2020) - Dee Dee O’Brien grew up in Los Angeles. She studied molecular biology and biochemistry in college before earning a Master’s Degree in Public Health. She spent time working in research labs and, eventually, shifted her career to graphic arts. An eye for detail in a lab specimen translates easily to an eye for detail in design. She also actively studies French, a helpful skill in her role at VAL. Dee Dee has volunteered in VAL’s Beginning Literacy classes, alongside teacher Anne Clift, since 2017. She supports English Language Learning for New American students, many of whom are refugees. Dee Dee…

Is the Time the Same or Faster? (11/19/2020) - Written by Rhaiza Ebel, a VAL English Language Learning Student from Brazil “A lot of people use watches, only a few with time.” I do not know the author of this phrase, however, it makes me think about it. Before the pandemic, I had heard a lot of people (me included) saying: “I don’t have time to do this,” but is this true? Or is this just us saying no for something in a “educated/polite” way? Or this is us not giving/wanting the “right” attention for something? Saying "no" to a friend or parents who need/want to talk, saying "no"…

Staff Profile: Ashley Dailey (11/12/2020) - Ashley serves as Regional Director of VAL’s two Windsor County Learning Centers. Ashley is deeply committed to our students. When she sees a need, she finds a way to address it. Some students arrive after a full day of work and are hungry. Ashley applied for a grant from a local grocery store and received funding to provide healthy snacks for students. As VAL reopened after COVID-19 closings, students needed encouragement to come in for academic assessments, a crucial step in earning their H.S. Diplomas. Ashley worked with staff to create "assessment goody bags" to incentivize students to safely return…

I came to VAL because I wanted to finish something ~Laurentia (10/29/2020) - Laurentia is a 59-year-old resident of Windsor County. She was born in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada to Dutch immigrant parents. School did not come easily to her. Today, she stands out as someone who speaks about her experiences with wonderful ease. She loves to read recreationally and is presently enjoying a saga about a pioneer woman. She reads a lot despite a diagnosis of Fuchs Dystrophy, a condition causing blurring in one of her eyes. “I left school in the 10th grade,” Laurentia said. “I was getting up early, staying up late and staying in during recess to study. I worked with tutors. I…

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Learning Matters Blog and VAL Updates