I spent the week celebrating with 4 of our partner programs: 3 graduations plus an impromptu Student of the Year celebration. As a result I feel (somewhat) qualified to survey 'what works in end of the year parties' Pomp and circumstance, and graduation gowns (ever though I resented the hats every time they made me wear them at my own graduations)....

When I asked for nominations, I knew I was setting myself up for a difficult decision. The Tutor of the Year nominees include brand new volunteers, and those who have been here longer than I have. They work with ESOL and High School Equivalency classes. They are young professionals and retirees, male and female. And they are all -- as exp...

It's hard to believe, but it's almost time to start recruiting new tutors for the next school year. The process has me reflecting on how our volunteers join our team. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________A dozen interviews will teach you a thing or two. Fortunately I wa...

How do you create a caring, connected community? Maybe it's just me, but feels like one of the big, important questions right now. It's also a practical one: our mission statement starts with that goal, "creating a community'' (And, not just any community, "a caring, connected" one, "where everyone can learn, teach and contribute") That noun, commu...

"Adult learners are awesome" This is how I start most presentations I give about adult ed. There are other things to say about the field that are important, but this feels like an essential foundation for the discussion. They're awesome because education is important enough in their lives that they're fitting it in among work, kids, the friend who ...