The Literacy Texas Annual Awards celebrate just some of the amazing adult students and literacy volunteers we all have the pleasure of working alongside.
Nominations open in the new year and close some time in the spring. Check the main Annual Awards page for current details.
2024 Student Achievement - ABE/HSE
Jacqueline Turrubiartes | Ysleta Community Learning Center
“After years of challenging circumstances, including incarceration and time in a behavioral center, Jacqueline realized that education could be the key to transforming her life. While incarcerated, she began her journey towards earning a GED, dedicating her time to studying and passing two of the required exams. It was a small but significant step towards a brighter future.
Upon her release, her path was not straightforward; she found herself in a behavioral center where many might have given up hope. However, Jacqueline continued her studies through the Ysleta Community Learning Center and passed the remaining two GED exams. With her GED in hand, she felt a sense of accomplishment that had previously eluded her.
Now, equipped with the confidence that comes from achieving a significant educational milestone, she enrolled in an Integrated Education Training class to earn certifications in Microsoft Excel and Freight Dispatching. This new phase of her learning journey has opened doors to employment opportunities she never thought possible.
Jacqueline’s literacy learning has not only given her a sense of achievement, it has also paved the way for meaningful employment and stability. She can now support herself, contribute to her community, and inspire others with her story of resilience and determination. What started as a necessity has blossomed into a new beginning, proving that with education, even the most difficult paths can lead to success.”
2024 Student Achievement - ESOL
Maria Magdalena Gwartney | Community Action, Inc. of Central Texas
“Malena embarked on her English literacy journey in 2011 upon relocating to the US from Torreon, Mexico. Despite initial challenges, including balancing single motherhood and full-time employment, she pursued English language education. Using resources like Duolingo, Malena diligently practiced daily, laying the foundation for her linguistic growth. Recognizing the limitations of self-study, she sought structured education, joining the Community Action program in 2019.
Since then, Malena’s dedication has been unwavering. Over the past five years, she has continuously elevated her proficiency, progressing through intermediate and advanced ESL classes, as well as specialized courses like ESL for Entrepreneurs and English for Professionals. Impressively, she juggled both morning and evening classes for several years, demonstrating her commitment and determination .
Beyond academic achievements, Malena’s resilience shines through adversity. When her husband’s job loss threatened their stability, she pivoted, venturing into entrepreneurship by establishing an embroidery/printing business. With great tenacity and adaptability, she and her husband navigated the complexities of a new industry, successfully sustaining their venture to this day.
As if her accomplishments weren’t remarkable enough, Malena achieved US citizenship in 2022, adding another milestone to her impressive journey.
Malena’s story is not just one of personal triumph but a testament to the transformative power of perseverance and familial motivation. Her aspiration to serve as a role model for her daughters underscores her character of lifelong learning and self-improvement. In every endeavor, she embodies resilience, resourcefulness, and a steadfast devotion to her family’s well-being.”
2024 Volunteer Instructor Excellence
John Barton | Memorial Assistance Ministries
“John has consistently volunteered his time to teach fellow volunteers and students. He persisted through the shift to remote classes during the peak of Covid. Not only did he successfully make the transition to remote learning, he also led many of our ongoing training sessions. When we need volunteers, he is often open to committing to a second class. This involves teaching a total of 96 hours of instruction in one term!
It is difficult to measure the impact John has had on participants as his reach extends beyond his students to that of other instructors and to the program as a whole. He maintains the highest student retention rate which is a testament to his engaging style, and his students rave about him time and again.
Along with teaching and training, John volunteers during our triannual registration events as a verbal assessor. In that role, he is often one of the first faces our students see and he greets them with a genuine smile. This short but instrumental assessment provides the program an opportunity to determine where a student should start their ESL journey.”
2024 Volunteer Excellence
Barbara Noel | Neuhaus Education Center
“Barb Noel has professional dyslexia training and chooses to use her skills as a volunteer with adults. Neuhaus offers group classes to adults, and so Mrs. Noel is able to provide pull-out support to students who may need more 1:1 support with certain concepts.
In addition to her generosity of time and talent, Mrs. Noel has the quiet ability to help her students feel certain that they can learn to read and that she is there to give them the support and know-how that they need to do so. She works on a one-to-one basis with the students who need the most support. The students ask for time with her and come back to class expressing heart-felt thanks for her individualized help.”
2024 Lifetime Achievement Award
Joan Grigsby | Literacy ConneXus
“Joan Grigsby is one of the most dedicated leaders in adult literacy I’ve ever worked with. Her sincere desire to help students reach their full potential is the foundation of all she does. When she meets a new student, her warm encouragement is immediately evident, and the student knows, “This is someone who accepts me where I am and will walk beside me on this journey.” Joan’s tenacity in identifying and getting what her students need is second to none.
Joan is known as an advocate within her community and strives to serve people around her with a caring heart. She is authentic with her words and purposeful with her actions to make an impact in Fort Worth, and also set the standard for other literacy organizations across the state.
She has committed her life to education and helping others achieve their goals while faithfully carrying out the tasks set before her. Over the last ten years, Joan has passionately served as a program coordinator and tutor for LEARN for Life, an Adult Reading Tutorial Program, sponsored by the Tarrant Literacy Coalition and Literacy ConneXus. In this role, she presents training for state and local literacy organizations and serves as a mentor for students seeking support.
In addition to her work as an educator, she currently represents literacy as a member of the Workforce Development Board for Workforce Solutions in Tarrant County where she continues to advocate for services within her community.”
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Page updated 9/10/24
