EEC volunteer, Gail Gile, working with a learner on their resume.
At the English Empowerment Center, our mission is to teach adults the basic skills of reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English so they can access employment and educational opportunities and more fully and equitably participate in the community. We recently heard about a series of learner successes that exemplify just that.
Five learners from one of our level 3 beginning English classes have received jobs in childhood education at the Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) in the Pozez Jewish Community Center. ECLC creates a collaborative learning environment, promoting developmental growth through creative interaction between educators and children, inspired by the Reggio Emilia learning philosophy. The five EEC learners who are now employed at ECLC originally heard about the opportunity from Gail Gile, one of EEC’s incredible volunteer class aides. Gail’s daughter, Hillary, has been working at ECLC for 7 years and had expressed that they were always interested in finding quality teachers. After getting to know many learners, Gail knows that our classes are filled with highly educated, hardworking individuals. Many of whom have not entered the workforce due to fear of their English language proficiency and not knowing that they have the skills to begin building their career in the United States.
When originally hearing about the opportunity to apply, Gail shared that many of their faces lit up. Each of the recommended learners were so motivated to do well and so appreciative to be considered as an applicant. Working as an educator at ECLC involves daily interaction with the children as well as daily collaboration and lesson planning with the educator team. There is a lengthy training for the new educators joining the team, ensuring the whole staff feel comfortable and prepared in their roles while also providing a peaceful and collaborative environment to foster learning. ECLC serves approximately 125 children/families throughout their 10 different classes. They are led by a staff of approximately 35 diverse individuals whose unique perspectives and experiences are greatly valued.
Many of these learners joined the team nervous about their English language skills, though they have quickly come out of their shell and built their confidence. Their work at ECLC provides a supportive environment for them to use their English everyday with children, families, and fellow educators. Hillary Gile, ECLC Pedagogista, shared that the school has been very impressed by the EEC referrals and truly value the diversity and unique ideas each of them bring to the team.
We are so happy to see these learners enter into a career, become immersed in the community, and build confidence in their English skills as well as all of their other qualifications. We are so lucky to have EEC classes filled with so many hardworking, educated, and truly dedicated individuals.