Nell McLeod

It was about eight years ago that Elma Jean Beatty, then Director of Basic Skills at Union Technical Education Center (UTEC), introduced Nell McLeod to the Laubach method for teaching adults to read. McLeod had long thought that when she retired she would like to teach an adult to read. She knew the need was there, and she wanted to do what she could to meet that need.

McLeod volunteered at UTEC in various capacities for about five years. In January 1996, she had the opportunity to take a Laubach tutor training workshop, and since then she has helped half a dozen adults learn to read or improve their basic reading skills. Currently tutoring two students in separate sessions, McLeod says she is motivated by the hope that she is making a difference in someone's life.

When asked what is required to be a tutor, McLeod mentioned desire, empathy, and a non-judgmental attitude. She also stresses that, as with most ventures, you learn as you go.

Would she recommend tutoring an adult to others? "Yes!" McLeod replied. She added, "You don't need to be a teacher to teach adults to read with this method. Anyone who has the Laubach training can do it."

Says Literacy Director, Linda Moyer, "Nell is the consummate volunteer. She does her best to meet the needs of others whether that means taking on an additional student at the Council's request or changing her tutoring schedule to accommodate the needs of one of her students. She is a firm believer in our program and puts forth every effort to help the Literacy Council grow and move in the right direction. She and the other tutor volunteers like her have made our program what it is today."