Volunteer works with learners on literacy
By Joanne Fox | Posted: Monday, October 20, 2008
Randy Geyerman, Le Mars, Iowa, makes a difference working with clients in an adult literacry program. (Journal photo by Jerry Mennenga)
LE MARS, Iowa -- Randy Geyerman claims the Sioux City Journal was to blame for his volunteering with Western Iowa Tech Community College's Adult Literacy program.
"The paper ran an article about agencies looking for volunteers and that one caught my eye," he said with a grin. "So, I guess it's the paper's fault that I'm involved with the program."
Geyerman had moved to this Plymouth County seat about six years ago from Albert City, Iowa, due to a job change.
"In a small town, you always are involved with volunteer activities, otherwise things just don't get done without that commitment," he said. "I wanted to start doing the same here."
Following the publicity in the newspaper about four years ago, Geyerman contacted WIT to offer his services. WIT provides training and materials and strategies for working in a one-on-one situation with adult learners, said Derek Albert, WIT adult literacy coordinator. The program needs between 10 to 15 volunteers each year.
Michael Thompson, 25, of Sioux City was one of Albert's learners who took a painful secret that millions of Americans hide and made it public.
"I couldn't read," he admitted.
Thompson attended McKinley Grade School, full of anticipation, which quickly turned to dread when he was in the third grade, "when I started feeling dumb." To compensate Thompson started misbehaving, "anything to avoid school work."
Thompson was diagnosed with dyslexia, but the instruction just didn't seem to meet his needs. Eventually, he moved on to East Middle where he was placed with other LD students, but also with students who had behavior disabilities. Then it was on to East High School for Thompson, but nothing improved.
Thompson left school at the beginning of the 10th grade. He did little, except get into trouble. That "trouble" finally caught up with Thompson when he was arrested and began meeting with a probation officer, who pushed him toward earning a GED.
"I felt it was impossible to do," he said.
Thompson set aside his misgivings and contacted Albert, who said Thompson's reticence isn't unusual.
Thompson and Albert meet once a week for an hour and a half. Although there's no "homework," Thompson gets exercises to work on.
"I'm frustrated and anxious at the same time to get things done, but it's going well," he said. "What I really like is that no one makes you feel like an idiot because you don't know what you're doing. That you're not a dumb ass to them."
"That's one thing that really struck me was the emphasis on privacy and dignity for the student at all times," Geyerman said. "I was very impressed with that."
Geyerman and his adult learner were paired up and began the process of basic reading skills. Progress has been made. Now, Geyerman and his adult learner go to the Le Mars Public Library and check out books.
Geyerman said for those who don't read well, coping skills start to surface.
"People learn how to function without having to read," he explained. "They memorize street signs. You ask the waitress about the special. You ask the pharmacist to explain the medication."
"I admire folks who set as a personal goal their desire to improve their reading," he said. "To me, people should be rewarded for having a great deal of courage to admit they can't read."
VITA
Name: Randy Geyerman
Hometown: Mitchell, S.D.; moved to Le Mars six years ago
Education: Graduated from Mitchell High School in 1968; awarded a bachelor's degree in economics from Tulane University, New Orleans, in 1973, earned an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania in 1976
Professional: started out in accounting and finance; CFO for the coop in Albert City, 1980-90; Pro Pork CFO in Sioux Center, Iowa, 1990-2002; currently director of operations at Trans Ova Genetics, Sioux Center
Personal: married to wife Maureen since 1976; three sons
How he's making a difference: by volunteering with the Adult Literacy Program at Western Iowa Tech Community College
"The paper ran an article about agencies looking for volunteers and that one caught my eye," he said with a grin. "So, I guess it's the paper's fault that I'm involved with the program."
Geyerman had moved to this Plymouth County seat about six years ago from Albert City, Iowa, due to a job change.
"In a small town, you always are involved with volunteer activities, otherwise things just don't get done without that commitment," he said. "I wanted to start doing the same here."
Following the publicity in the newspaper about four years ago, Geyerman contacted WIT to offer his services. WIT provides training and materials and strategies for working in a one-on-one situation with adult learners, said Derek Albert, WIT adult literacy coordinator. The program needs between 10 to 15 volunteers each year.
Michael Thompson, 25, of Sioux City was one of Albert's learners who took a painful secret that millions of Americans hide and made it public.
"I couldn't read," he admitted.
Thompson attended McKinley Grade School, full of anticipation, which quickly turned to dread when he was in the third grade, "when I started feeling dumb." To compensate Thompson started misbehaving, "anything to avoid school work."
Thompson was diagnosed with dyslexia, but the instruction just didn't seem to meet his needs. Eventually, he moved on to East Middle where he was placed with other LD students, but also with students who had behavior disabilities. Then it was on to East High School for Thompson, but nothing improved.
Thompson left school at the beginning of the 10th grade. He did little, except get into trouble. That "trouble" finally caught up with Thompson when he was arrested and began meeting with a probation officer, who pushed him toward earning a GED.
"I felt it was impossible to do," he said.
Thompson set aside his misgivings and contacted Albert, who said Thompson's reticence isn't unusual.
Thompson and Albert meet once a week for an hour and a half. Although there's no "homework," Thompson gets exercises to work on.
"I'm frustrated and anxious at the same time to get things done, but it's going well," he said. "What I really like is that no one makes you feel like an idiot because you don't know what you're doing. That you're not a dumb ass to them."
"That's one thing that really struck me was the emphasis on privacy and dignity for the student at all times," Geyerman said. "I was very impressed with that."
Geyerman and his adult learner were paired up and began the process of basic reading skills. Progress has been made. Now, Geyerman and his adult learner go to the Le Mars Public Library and check out books.
Geyerman said for those who don't read well, coping skills start to surface.
"People learn how to function without having to read," he explained. "They memorize street signs. You ask the waitress about the special. You ask the pharmacist to explain the medication."
"I admire folks who set as a personal goal their desire to improve their reading," he said. "To me, people should be rewarded for having a great deal of courage to admit they can't read."
VITA
Name: Randy Geyerman
Hometown: Mitchell, S.D.; moved to Le Mars six years ago
Education: Graduated from Mitchell High School in 1968; awarded a bachelor's degree in economics from Tulane University, New Orleans, in 1973, earned an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania in 1976
Professional: started out in accounting and finance; CFO for the coop in Albert City, 1980-90; Pro Pork CFO in Sioux Center, Iowa, 1990-2002; currently director of operations at Trans Ova Genetics, Sioux Center
Personal: married to wife Maureen since 1976; three sons
How he's making a difference: by volunteering with the Adult Literacy Program at Western Iowa Tech Community College
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tre j wrote on Oct 20, 2008 9:42 AM: