Greetings,
I apologize for the tardiness of this quarter’s newsletter. No, the dog did not eat our first draft, but it has been one busy and productive year as we continue to celebrate our 60th anniversary, welcomed new staff, tallied results and achievements from last year’s programs, and are now gearing up for the new school year!
Due to the ever-changing circumstances caused by Covid-19, LCNV was able to reintegrate in-person classes earlier than expected at sites that allow it. Last school year, LCNV offered classes at eight sites in-person and offered our virtual programs through 26 classes each for fall and spring semester and 20 classes during the summer session. I am so proud to say that close to 1,500 learners received our services--back up to pre-pandemic numbers! We celebrated all our accomplishments at the 60th Anniversary Annual Recognition Ceremony, which you can read all about in this newsletter.
I am very pleased to announce that Xavier Muñoz was promoted to Director of Academic Programs and Student Services and now leads our Academic department. Xavier has been an essential part of LCNV for nine years, often being asked to present at local, state and national conferences on best practices. We are excited to see how he continues to keep LCNV in the forefront of adult education. I would also like to welcome Megan Ardovini, Joshua Gilmore, Sahra Nadiir, and Marin Uher to the growing LCNV family. You can read more about them on our website: https://englishempowermentcenter.org/staff/.
LCNV continues to be recognized as a leader in English language acquisition. We were honored to host Assistant Secretary Amy Loyd from the US Department of Education’s Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) in one of our classes led by LCNV teacher Vaishali Deshpande with class aides, Glen Finland, Debra Willen, and Anita Raghavan last month. After listening to a lesson on the importance of soft skills (like accepting feedback, emotional intelligence, and team player attitude), Assistant Secretary Loyd had a conversation with students, who asked her how best to navigate pathways that would allow them to ultimately gain jobs in the professions as teachers and physicians that they had in Afghanistan.
I am inspired by what we accomplished together this past school year and optimistic about what the next year has in store for us! We will continue all our great programs in nearly 60 classes this fall thankfully with the assistance of many newly trained teachers that have attended Instructor trainings in summer and fall. We are expanding our digital literacy programs by giving learners in now three locations access to Northstar Digital Literacy, a self-guided series of online modules that will teach essential computer skills, essential software skills, and how to use technology in daily life. We are also piloting an English language and Computer class that will spend time working with the lowest English language learners on both English and basic computer skills.
Empowering our students with skills to more effectively participate and thrive in our community is our focus. Thank you for your continued support to help us help our learners change their lives.
Best,
Roopal Mehta Saran,
Executive Director
P.S. Stay tuned for a very exciting announcement coming soon!