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IU13 Community Education Blog

Graduate Spotlight - Jennifer Remlinger

Posted by Rebecca Loewenstein-Harting on Jul 6, 2020 10:58:16 AM

Success Stories - Jennifer Remlinger

Jenn began the Family Literacy program in November 2008 and graduated with her High School Equivalency diploma the following May. At that time, Jenn’s daughters were six and four years old, and Jenn was working full-time as a cook at Fort Indiantown, Gap. As a single mom, she had to juggle many responsibilities, and that meant that she could only study late at night after her daughters went to bed. Undeterred, she says that “I knew I had to do this for them, so whenever I would think I couldn’t do this, I would think about them and how I didn’t want to disappoint them.”

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Topics: Adult Education, Family Literacy

Student Spotlight - Liliana

Posted by Patricia Barnes on Jul 6, 2020 9:06:19 AM

Liliana is a current student in IU13 Community Education’s ESL level 1 class at Brightside Opportunities Center. Liliana arrived from Medellin, Colombia in December 2019 to be close to her new husband and his family. 

Liliana’s first impression of the U.S. was that it is a big and beautiful country.  She thinks the houses are beautiful, the city is clean, and the drivers respect pedestrians when crossing the street. She was very surprised to see so many differences between living here and in Colombia, explaining, “It is very, very different. In Colombia close neighbors, motorcycles, lots of dogs barking, very noisy. Not here… I like the quiet neighborhood and friendly people.” 

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Topics: Adult Education, esl

Through the Eyes of our CNA Students

Posted by Elizabeth Woratyla on May 29, 2020 1:28:53 PM

IU13 Community Education offers a specialized class for students preparing for the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) entrance exam. Many of those students are employed as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), and since the onset of Covid-19, they have seen their work intensify. This article offers a keen insight into the CNAs’ fears, exhaustion, and perseverance.

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Topics: Adult Education

Student Spotlight - Duane Good

Posted by Rebecca Loewenstein-Harting on May 29, 2020 11:19:12 AM

Duane Good is no stranger to a busy lifestyle. He is a father who works during the day and attends classes at the IU13 in the evening. On top of that, he holds two volunteer first responder positions! Duane is a volunteer firefighter with Mt Zion Fire Department, Lebanon County, and a volunteer EMT with Bethel Community Ambulance, Berks County.  
 
Duane is currently a student in Ken Travis’s evening HSE class.
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Topics: Adult Education, HSE | GED | HiSET

Staff Spotlight - Ken Travis

Posted by Anne Weiss on May 29, 2020 11:12:50 AM

Since 1998, Ken Travis has held positions as a high school technology teacher, high and elementary school counselor, principal, and adult educator. Today IU13 celebrates with Ken his most recent accomplishment--earning a doctoral degree from Widener University in March.
 
In the past 30 years, Ken has worked in education teaching and counseling students of all ages and walks of life. Noting that “learning has helped me personally as well as professionally” Ken has earned three master’s degrees--M.A. in counseling, M.Ed. in school counseling, and an M.Ed. in English as a Second Language.
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Topics: Adult Education, esl

New! English Conversation Club

Posted by Silvia Hildesheim on May 29, 2020 10:49:47 AM

ESL students and teachers from different classes come together once a week to practice conversation, relax, and just have fun! Level 1 teacher Silvia tells us more about the club,  “Conversation club is a time for us to connect, see each other, and practice English while schools are closed. The pandemic has reduced the time students get to spend with each other practicing English, so we started the club after getting requests from students for more informal practice. The students lead the club and the

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Topics: Adult Education, esl

Student Spotlight: Mirta Sanchez

Posted by Anne Weiss on May 29, 2020 10:16:32 AM

Mirta Sanchez joined High School Equivalency (HSE) classes at PA CareerLink in January. Despite health issues contributing to chronic pain, Mirta was a dedicated student and generous classmate, regularly bringing treats for all and giving words of encouragement. Mirta was also the class photographer, as evidenced on our Facebook!
 
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, Mirta has taken a break from class to focus on volunteering--packaging
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Topics: Adult Education

Stronger Together

Posted by Anne Weiss on May 29, 2020 10:02:35 AM

IU13 Community Education students have always been recognized for their perseverance in learning while juggling work and home responsibilities. Today we thank them for their dedicated service during the Covid-19 pandemic--employment that is essential, whether in health care, manufacturing, or grocery stores and volunteer efforts. These students work full time or part-time, home school their children, and take care of family members while still joining Zoom classes and participating in teacher-directed online learning.
 
The work our learners are doing puts them at risk, yet their overwhelming response to their source of motivation is “I love to help people.” Ashley is a Certified Nurse’s Assistant (CNA) at a local nursing home. She says, “Seeing my residents smile and how happy they are to see me makes my day. Especially now that
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Topics: Adult Education

Staff Spotlight - Donna Dencler

Posted by Rebecca Loewenstein-Harting on Apr 29, 2020 2:46:39 PM

Donna has worked for the IU13 for almost 18 years. A graduate of Cedar Crest College, Donna has held many positions at the IU13 including English as a Second Language teacher, High School Equivalency teacher, Family Literacy teacher, Professional Development specialist, and Professional Development consultant for the statewide family literacy program. Her current role is Community Education Supervisor, which she has done for almost three years. Donna’s favorite part of working for the IU13 is the variety of teaching opportunities and the dedicated and passionate staff. Donna also notes that “the IU13 is a great organization to work for – they really have their values [and] your own values can align with the values of the organization.” Donna first got involved in community education in 1995 when she volunteered to teach English to a refugee family in Allentown. She continues to be passionate about refugee causes and currently volunteers her time with a refugee family through her church. In retirement, Donna looks forward to traveling, volunteering, and having more time to spend with her husband and nine grandchildren. 

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Topics: Adult Education, Staff Spotlight

Educational Resources for ESL Learners

Posted by Silvia Hildesheim on Apr 24, 2020 8:00:56 AM

IU13 ESL classes are continuing online during the COVID-19 pandemic! Students use USALearns, Zoom, and WhatsApp to study English and connect with classmates and teachers.

If you are looking for other ways to practice English, check out the Brightside ESL teachers’ favorite online resources listed below!

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Topics: Adult Education, esl