I thought that I was culturally sensitive, but I was unaware of the conditions required to support learning. Native literacy is much more than reading and writing, and the acquisition of those skills. It is based on a holistic approach that encompasses the development of the emotional, spiritual, mental, and physical aspects of one s self. Native literacy impacts the individual, family, community, and nation. I was in for a learning journey that continues to this day.
Adult literacy is all about people.
Success is only achieved when every learner is regarded, respected, and understood as a unique person with his or her own goals. To achieve success the individual must come first. A simple premise, yet one that can get lost in the desire to fulfill learning outcomes, or to meet statistical objectives. I can t count the number of times that lesson plans were altered or even cast away in order to deal with issues in learners lives. For the men involved in the program s Men s Circle, these issues may have been anger management, assertiveness, parenting skills, or a host of other things.