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Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White presents Illinois Spotlight Award to tutor Reta Strecker

Reta Strecker, a retired teacher who loves teaching, was one of ten tutors who received the 2011 Spotlight on Service Awards presented by Secretary of State Librarian Jesse White and the Illinois Press Association at the Illinois State Library in Springfield. “I am extremely proud to recognize our outstanding volunteer tutors for their generosity and encouragement in helping literacy students achieve their utmost potential, said Secretary White when presenting the awards. “I firmly believe each of us should give something back to our neighbors and our communities, and these heroes who help improve the lives of their literacy students are a wonderful example of the positive impact that comes from volunteerism.”

Reta says she joined School on Wheels because she missed interacting with students and watching their knowledge grow. At first her student was very shy, she says, but Reta had her student pick out books for her children. First, they would read together, and then this young mother would read to her children. As a result, this learner has been able to learn to read and to instill a love of reading in her three children.

Clowns, food and fun at end of year party for tutors and students
After enjoying great pizza from Ledo's Pizza, the children of School and Tutors on Wheels students line up to get their fun balloon animals from Rorrita, the Clown, who is also a student of School on Wheels. Games and prizes kept children entertained at the 2011 end-of-the-year party attended by over 250 tutors, students and family members.

Fanilies get free books at School and Tutors on Wheels en of the year party BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS!

School and Tutors on Wheels gave away hundreds of books for adults and children of all ages at the end of the year party. The end-of-the year party rewards volunteer tutors and the students and their families for a year of dedication to literacy. Everyone found a book to their liking and many came back for seconds.

SOW Tutor and Student honored at 2011 benefit "Laugh for Literacy"

Mary Schulte receives the 2011 Gratitude Award

School and Tutors on Wheels presented the 2011 Gratitude Award to Mary L. Schulte at the Laugh for Literacy benefit night for her “inspiring service and dedication” to adult literacy. Schulte is vice president for Wealth Management for Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Despite her busy schedule as a financial advisor, she has made time to tutor and to help her students navigate many of life’s challenges. Schulte, a resident of Naperville, Ill., has taken an entire family under her wings for the past six years at the School on Wheels site in Woodridge.

Irma Maciel receives 2011 Student Success Award

In just ten years, Irma Maciel (pictured above with former executive director Barb Bernhard) went from being a beginner-level ESL student to becoming an elementary school teacher. Ten years ago, while caring for a newborn and a toddler, she made time to take English literacy classes on the School on Wheels bus. “School on Wheels opened the doors for me to be able to interact with other people. Learning to communicate in English for my daily needs gave me the confidence to be where I am now.” She earned a Certificate in Bilingual Education and became a teacher’s aid in District 61. Maciel is now an ESL teacher at Eisenhower School in Darien, Ill.

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Laugh for Literacy: Friends, Food and Laughter

Tutor and Student Stories

SOW Tutor and Student honored at 2011 benefit "Laugh for Literacy"

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