Susan Joyner Tribute

A publication of the Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center

http://www.aelweb.vcu.edu

In this issue:

1 Virginia Literacy Institute 1 Susan Joyner Tribute 3 Read with Understanding 4 Kits Available for Blind & Vision-Impaired The Virginia Literacy Institute 4 Fairfax Family Literacy Curriculum by Randall Stamper tFirst meeting of the VLI Board, from left to right: Rober Ritter, Dr. Yvonne Thayer, Vice Chair William Bosher, Laura 6 Knowledge Under Virgin, Mark Emblidge, and Jane Bassett Spilman. Construction , . Not included are Chairperson Jeannie Baliles David Baldacci, and Dr. Robert Holsworth 8 10 Universal Design Reading Difficulties ark Emblidge, Director of the Virginia Literacy Foundation, wants you to understandM something: “You can’t underestimate the Dr. William Bosher, who was ap pointed Dean of VCU’s School of Edu cation in July of 2002, was instrumental in the VLI’s formation. “Before I came 10 2 ack 1 B Nickel And Dimed: Review VALRC Web Redesign & New Resources True Dedication importance of local programs working into this administrative post,” he ex- doing in the field of adult education,” with public policy makers.” He also plained, “I really served as a mediator, a Emblidge explained. “In the past, we wants you to know that you have a new broker, where I brought people around a haven’t always done a good job of letting partner dedicated to ensuring that policy table…and tried to hammer out a con- them know. The Institute is in a unique makers hear what you have to say. Em- tract. Then, to my surprise, I also had position to craft an agenda for adult litblidge is also the Director of the Virginia the opportunity to implement the con- eracy in Virginia that makes an impact Literacy Institute, formed in May 2003. tract [when I became Dean].” on state policy makers.” The Institute is a partnership between By partnering with the School of Dean Bosher echoed this observathe Virginia Literacy Foundation and Education and the Center for Public tion. “Historically, in so many fields, VCU’s School of Education and Center Policy, the Institute is able to draw upon we took great pride in talking about for Public Policy. Its mission is to lead the pedagogical and public policy ex- the programs we had delivered, and the the Commonwealth in research and de- pertise each department offers. “People test of our strength was the capacity to velopment projects in the field of adult – and by people I mean funders and state deliver. Today, the test of our strength education and literacy. policy makers – want to know how we’re Continued on page 13...

Susan Joyner received a plaque from VAACE in recognition of her many years of service.

A Tribute to Susan Joyner by Andrew Stowe

The last time I saw Susan Joyner, meet her. At the time, we worked with she was driving away from my home at the Virginia Department of Rehabilitathe foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains in tive Services (DRS), attempting to forge her trademark Chevy pick-up. She had ties with the Department of Social Sercome to have a last ride on her beloved vices (DSS) and other agencies to help horse, Kitty, before journeying “across uncover and accommodate disabilities, the pond” to her new home in England. including those in learning, within the At that moment I found it difficult to welfare population. Barbara Cotter with acknowledge that someone who had DSS set up a meeting between Susan and been so supportive of adult education, us. Not long after that initial encounter, so dynamic in spirit, and who brought we began a partnership out of which such style and grace to her interactions Bridges to Practice – The Virginia Colwith our field was leaving. laborative was born.

I first heard about Susan in the Through our work together, I summer of 1999. Curious about why came to learn that Susan is one of those so many people from different agencies people who can make things happen. were excited about working with her, She is a true leader in planning sessions, my co-worker, Christy, and I just had to Continued on page 5...