You are invited to stop by the LLCC Adult Education office in Millennium Center, Room 1132, on Thursday, March 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to say goodbye to Jamil Steele, director of adult education, and wish him well on his last full day on campus.
Category Archives: Adult Education
State Senator Mattie Hunter visits LLCC
State Senator and Assistant Majority Leader Mattie Hunter visited LLCC’s Adult Education and Workforce Institute programs yesterday. She was invited to speak to adult education classes by instructor Jan Williams. Sen. Hunter is a former GED instructor and spoke encouragingly to each student preparing for their high school equivalency tests along with those learning English as a Second Language. She then, along with several adult education students, toured the Workforce Institute programs with LLCC President Charlotte Warren and other college officials.
LLCC offering free career exploration classes beginning March 13 and June 19
LLCC will offer free career exploration classes beginning March 13 and June 19 for anyone interested in learning more about job opportunities and training in various fields.
The classes are open to all adults with or without a high school diploma. Career fields include:
- Business and entrepreneurship
- Health science
- Hospitality
- Information technology
- Transportation distribution logistics
- Pre-college: How to be a successful college student
Individuals may learn more and sign up at these locations and times:
- Tuesday, Feb. 28, 10 a.m.-noon: Rise and Grind Co., 514 W Union Ave., Litchfield
- Tuesday, Feb. 28, 1-3 p.m.: Litchfield Library, 1205 S State St., Litchfield
- Thursday, March 2, 4-6 p.m.: LLCC-Jacksonville, 32 N. Central Park Plaza
- Thursday, March 2, 4:30-6:30 p.m.: The Coop, 106 West Seward St., Hillsboro (in courthouse square)
The goal of this free program is to reduce barriers, expand access and provide support, allowing students to complete career training programs and earn credentials that lead to upward mobility. More information is available at www.llcc.edu/adult-ed or by calling 217-786-2349.
LLCC hosting meeting on volunteer tutoring Jan. 19
LLCC is hosting an information meeting for interested individuals to learn about becoming a volunteer tutor with the college’s adult education program at its Hillsboro, Litchfield and Taylorville locations. The meeting will be held Jan. 19, 5-5:30 p.m. at the Taylorville Public Library, 121 W. Vine St.
The session will provide details on the program, training and requirements. Volunteers are needed to help adults improve their reading, math and writing skills.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old with reading and/or math abilities, but they do not need to have a teaching degree. LLCC will provide all the training and materials the tutors need, including the books tutors will use with the students and a tutoring handbook.
The time commitment can be a minimum of one hour a week (although some volunteer for two or three hours per week), and times are flexible based on each tutor’s availability. Tutors primarily work with students Monday through Friday but can also volunteer for the weekend.
The volunteer tutoring program is made possible through a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a division of the office of the Illinois Secretary of State, using funds designated for literacy.
For more information about LLCC Adult Education programming, visit www.llcc.edu/adult-education or call 217-786-2572.
ESL classes participate in National Day on Writing
Two ESL (English as a Second Language) classes recently participated in the National Day on Writing emphasis. They contributed stories of their journeys to LLCC. Pictured here are students from Jerilynn Gorden’s evening class. One of Allison Tinch’s daytime groups also took part. You are invited to read their narratives displayed in the LLCC Writing Center.
Jamil Steele presents at Forum for Excellence Conference
Marybeth Hentrich, adult education coordinator; Nancy Sweet, dean, Workforce Institute; Adam Watkins, dean, arts and communication; Brent Todd, dean, natural and agricultural sciences; Jason Dockter, associate vice president, academic services; Scott Searcy, dean, mathematics and computer science; Brandon Lewis, program navigator, Open Door Workforce Equity Initiative; Jamil Steele, director, adult education and literacy
Jamil Steele presented on “Adult Education Information Technology Pathways” at the Forum for Excellence Conference on Sept. 23, in Bloomington/Normal. The conference theme was Cultivating Collaboration Through Conversations.
The Forum for Excellence highlights the continuing partnership of career, technical and adult education in Illinois. The Forum is sponsored by the Illinois Community College Board and hosted by the Illinois Center for Specialized Professional Support and the Southern Illinois Professional Development Center.
https://icsps.illinoisstate.edu/cte/forum-for-excellence
Adult Education and Literacy Week
Each day this week, you can ready about a student success story on https://www.facebook.com/LLCCAdultEducation.
Adult education plays a pivotal role in enabling equitable access to societal resources, employment opportunities and full participation in community life. LLCC Adult Education is celebrating by spreading awareness and advocacy this week.
How can you help?
One person can make a difference for one hour per week! Become a volunteer tutor!
Volunteers are needed to help adults improve their reading, math, writing and/or English language skills. If you are patient, enthusiastic and have a desire to help others, please consider volunteering as a tutor.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or its equivalent. LLCC will provide training, materials and resources for tutoring. The time commitment will be a minimum of one hour a week (although some volunteer for two or three hours per week), and times are flexible based on each tutor’s availability. Tutors primarily work with students Monday through Friday but can also volunteer on the weekend.
If interested in volunteering, contact marybeth.hentrich@llcc.edu or 217-786-2349.
Sept. 18-24 is Adult Education and Literacy Week
Adult education plays a pivotal role in enabling equitable access to societal resources, employment opportunities and full participation in community life. LLCC Adult Education will celebrate by spreading awareness and advocacy.
- Adult education classes allow community adults to enhance their reading, writing, math, English speaking, computer and employability skills for career advancement and to study for citizenship for free.
- An estimated 24,785 adults in the LLCC district have less than a 12th grade education or need to learn the English language. This population is often unemployed or underemployed.
- Adults who participate in adult education programs have higher incomes resulting in more spending and tax revenue for communities.
How can you help?
One person can make a difference for one hour per week! Become a volunteer tutor!
Volunteers are needed to help adults improve their reading, math, writing and/or English language skills. If you are patient, enthusiastic and have a desire to help others, please consider volunteering as a tutor.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or its equivalent. LLCC will provide training, materials and resources for tutoring. The time commitment will be a minimum of one hour a week (although some volunteer for two or three hours per week), and times are flexible based on each tutor’s availability. Tutors primarily work with students Monday through Friday but can also volunteer on the weekend.
If interested in volunteering, contact marybeth.hentrich@llcc.edu or 217-786-2349.
In the news
Nancy Sweet, dean, Workforce Institute at LLCC, wrote the essay “Line Worker Rodeo and Career Expo highlight jobs in the trades.” for the State Journal-Register Sept. 18. The essay highlights the upcoming Line Worker Rodeo and Career Expo Sept. 28.
Jamil Steele, director, adult education and literacy, was interviewed Friday, Sept. 16, by WTAX about Adult Education and Family Literacy Week and the need for and value of literacy volunteers.
Tisha Miller, enrollment coordinator, LLCC-Taylorville and Litchfield, was interviewed Sept. 16 for the Friday Night Rivals football game featuring Taylorville and Mt. Zion High Schools and broadcast on The CW23.
LLCC volunteer literacy tutor and student win state Spotlight on Literacy Awards
Front row: Audrey Koffi, daughter, and Regina Ngbome, co-worker of Pulcheri Kongoue Koffi; Kongoue Koffi; Heidi Wareham, volunteer literacy tutor; Bertha Sneyd, program assistant; Sue Alexander, adult education coordinator. Back row: Jamil Steele, director, adult education and literacy; Debra Crowe, high school equivalency instructor; Marybeth Hentrich, adult education coordinator; Dr. Kathy Freeman, adult education coordinator.
An adult learner and volunteer tutor from the LLCC Adult Education and Literacy program were recently recognized with 2022 Spotlight on Literacy Awards.
Pulcherie Kongoue Koffi and Heidi Wareham were among 20 individuals from across Illinois recognized for their outstanding dedication and efforts by Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White.
Kongoue Koffi was honored with the Spotlight on Achievement Award. “Over the past year, Pulcherie has accomplished personal and educational goals, as well as being able to help her family navigate life in Springfield,” said Jamil Steele, LLCC director of adult education and literacy. “She came to the tutoring program when she continued to struggle with her reading, as English is not her primary language. Even though it was a struggle at first, it has been said that ‘Pulcherie has never met an obstacle.’ During her time at LLCC, she has successfully completed the English as a second language program, earned her high school equivalency and a certificate in community health work and is now pursuing an associate degree in human services.”
Wareham received the Spotlight on Service Award. “Heidi came into the adult education office looking to make a difference,” said Steele. “Heidi has tremendous patience and is very kind, and I knew the perfect learner to pair her with. Heidi didn’t just assist this learner with her English reading ability, but also helped her make real-life changes that will forever impact her and her family. Heidi has been a joy to have as a tutor. Her helpful spirit and willingness to go above and beyond to help the student learn and be a part of the community are what make her such a strong asset to this program.”
“I am honored to congratulate these outstanding adult learners for their hard work and determination to attain lifelong reading and learning skills,” said White. “Many of them have had to overcome great difficulties and obstacles to reach this level of achievement. I am also proud to recognize our outstanding volunteer tutors for their commitment to helping adult learners achieve their highest potential.”
LLCC is seeking volunteers to assist adults in improving their reading, math or English language skills. LLCC Adult Education and Literacy provides free training to potential volunteer tutors. Those wishing to volunteer may call 217-786-2572.