Temple Terrace News

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Students Develop I CAN Attitude

Learn Reading, Job Skills

By KATE KRAMER

      Glancing at a magazine or reading the newspaper, most adults don’t think twice about having the ability to read.

      But, when Michelle Tate-Martin of Temple Terrace learned that one out of every four adults is illiterate, she decided to do something about it. She opening I CAN Adult Literacy Outreach Inc. Sept. 8, 2003, in honor of International Literacy Day. “We have GED programs all over the place,” Tate-Martin said.

      She established I CAN to give adults the opportunity to learn to read while also preparing them for their GED exam and future-career.

      Literacy, Tate-Martin said, is not simply the ability to read, but the ability to read, write and compute.

      I CAN tutors use curriculum provided by PACE Learning Systems, which teach literacy, basic education, pre-GED, workforce development and life skills on an individual basis.

      Students work through learning modules with their tutor and take tests to move to the next level module.

      The individual modules allow students to go through the lesson as fast or as slow as they want without having to wait or keep up with other students.

      William Channer of Tampa, a retired certified public accountant, is one of the nine volunteer tutors at I CAN. He said the skills students learn at I CAN not only help students obtain their GED, but also help them throughout their daily life.

      “In real life, the concept of math helps families spend better and utilize whatever they earn wisely,” he said.

      During math lessons, Channer teaches students about banking, credit and mortgages and other skills important in their life.

      I CAN teachers also focus on teaching skills necessary in finding jobs. Rupertia Channer of Tampa tutors students on business skills including networking, resume writing and appropriate behavior in the workplace.

      “All the students here are going out to get a job,” she said. “We give them the skills to get a job and keep it. Students gain self-esteem and assurance and are able to complete their education.”

      I CAN is open to students ages 16 and older. To become a student at I CAN, community members can request an appointment. I CAN students are only charged a $20 registration fee.

      Dontavis Vereen of Temple Terrace, has participated in I CAN for the past two years. As a student at King, he came to I CAN in 10^th grade, but reading at a fifth-grade level. Now, he is reading at a ninth-grade level and said the one-on-one tutoring is the program’s biggest benefit. “You have the help from everybody,” he said, adding fellow students in I CAN also help each other.

      William Channer said the biggest benefit is seeing the success of the students. The school, which has about 50 students, has had six graduates so far. “What gives me motivation is the faithfulness and desire to learn of the students,” he said. “They look at I CAN as an opportunity they didn’t have. I help them realize they are smarter than they think they are.”

      I CAN is a nonprofit organization funded by donations of corporate and individual sponsors. To make a donation or to volunteer at I CAN, 5118 N. 56^th Street, Suite 130, call 849-5595.