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.
2023 Student Achievement - ABE/HSE
Logan Garza | Literacy Council of Bowie & Miller Counties
“Education has not always been a priority in Logan’s family, but she is driven to build a better life for herself and her children. She is on a path that will take her to great places, and she wants to help others in the future, including her younger siblings.
In the last 12 months, Logan has earned her GED, enrolled in college, and made a plan to improve her workforce skills. She has done all of this while having her first baby and doing it on her own.”
2023 Student Achievement - ESOL
Teresa Henriquez | BakerRipley
“As with most of the world, the situation during the pandemic caused severe limitations for Teresa. Teresa, however, recognized opportunities.
She decided to address her low English fluency and enrolled in online English classes. She juggled parenthood, work, and the stresses of the pandemic for two years yet dedicated an average of 10 hours a week to English class and practice. Her confidence increased, and she was inspired to study for and obtain her Notary Public license, to expand her earning potential.
Next, she realized she needed computer skills to attract and serve clients. She enrolled in class in person to continue to improve her English and to build digital literacy skills. She embraced her roles as a full-time parent, cosmetologist, entrepreneur of a growing notary business, and an adult education student, and found the drive and time to explore more online learning opportunities.”
2023 Volunteer Instructor Excellence
Susan Velasquez | Families & Literacy, Inc.
“Susan is our only volunteer who still works full time! She is new to the area and came immediately to volunteer her time as an instructor.
Her smile lights up a room and she makes students feel welcome and ready to learn. Her presence in her classroom has reinvigorated longtime instructors and helped encourage newer instructors to keep learning and do more for their students. She willingly took the position of instructor liaison for our Board and is excited to be part of a rebranding effort in the organization.
I can’t say enough that Susan Velasquez is an amazing teacher and human being who holds dearly the responsibility of teaching others.”
2023 Volunteer Excellence
Jackie Dean | Books Are Gems, Inc.
“During Covid, when all libraries and bookstores were closed, we initiated a program called “Grab a Bag of Books” for kids, where parents could pick up free books. Jackie stepped up to the plate and sorted over 30,000 books by grade level and gender and placed up to six books per bag.
She took books home to sort and didn’t stop there. There were parents who asked for specific books and Jackie made every effort to look for the books to provide them to the families. She also participated in Saturday Story time by reading to kids, and creating crafts concerning the books being read.”
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