From the Executive Director
Happy New Year from SBLC, and welcome to another edition of SBLC Speaks!
The Fall Semester of 2020 was unlike any other SBLC has seen in its 30 years in operation conducting classes fully online. Through all the barriers, our learners persisted, and enrollment increased from last fall.
Our staff is dedicated to learner achievement but the secret sauce to SBLC’s recipe for success is our amazing SBLC volunteer community. When we were forced to transition to on-line classes, our volunteers stood by our side. I cannot express how grateful we are to have such a diverse group of professionals who support our mission.
These dedicated individuals add value to the learner experience by bringing their personal and professional experiences to our learners and staff. They complement our programs with one-to-one tutoring, career coaching, and classroom assistance. They also provide essential indirect services to our mission by supporting our events and critical administrative duties.
In this edition of our Learner Highlight, you will hear from one of our most tenured and dedicated volunteers. I hope you will be inspired to share your gifts and join our volunteer community. If you would like to make an impact as a volunteer, please visit our webpage and fill out an application.
I’ll meet you in the classroom.
Sincerely,
Sid Wilson
Executive Director
SBLC | Learning Works
Learner Highlight
Meet Kelshare and Brad one of our learner and volunteer duos!
Kelshare had passed 3 of the 4 GED exams a number of years ago but struggled to finally pass the Math exam. The clock was ticking… Pass the last test or take them all again.
Click the video to hear how one on one support from the SBLC family helped Kelshare reach her goals.
Are you inspired by Kelshare and Brad’s story? Apply today to become a volunteer and support the Adult Learners at SBLC | Learning Works
Teacher’s Corner
SBLC | Learning Works prides itself on meeting each learner where they are. Yes, our new virtual classrooms physically bring the classroom to the student, but this statement means so much more than that. Our program is unique in that we provide flexibility in schedule, small class sizes, curated curriculum options, and individualized support outside of the classroom, providing the optimal learning environment for each of our clients. To further enable optimal conditions for acquiring a high school diploma, we offer tutoring and clinics to provide additional support.
Frequently these additional educational opportunities are run by volunteers who can choose the subject in which they excel or favor. The volunteers work with small groups or individuals during regular classes, and often before or after class. Many of our volunteers help in the computer labs providing technical assistance, which is increasingly important in the workforce, and certainly in classes that are now provided virtually.
SBLC works very hard in recruiting great volunteers and providing many opportunities for students, whether they just need to upgrade their academic skills, or need help in finishing high school, moving forward in the workforce, or continuing their education. It is the individualized support that volunteers provide that enhances the success of our learners.
John “Jay” Willetts has been an educator for 50 years, He has been on the teaching staff of SBLC since 2010.