Looking Forward To VAILL

by Marci Gore

Pat Bowyer describes it as “the spend time with their colbargain of the century.” And, no, leagues and share thoughts, it’s not that terrific looking silk suit ideas, and concerns. marked down half price at the mall. Wayne Virag, who Surprisingly enough, it’s VAILL coordinates Southeast (Virginia Adult Institute for Lifelong VAILL, says the sessions Learning) she’s talking about! offered there actively VAILL workshop in progress.

At $10 per person for an extensive involve participants. “By three-day institute, complete with good sharing their experiences, they are able Smithsonian Institution’s museums. A food and entertainment, coordinators to learn about tested practices that new offering of Southwest VAILL this of the Virginia Adult Institutes for work.” Dale Temple helps coordinate year will be counterpart discussion Lifelong Learning say anyone involved Southeast VAILL. “VAILL is an oppor- groups for those who may be working in adult education and literacy simply tunity for tutors, volunteers, instruc- in similar settings or with similar cannot afford to miss the development tors, and adult education managers to clients, such as social services, the jails, opportunities VAILL has to offer. meet and network with one another or the PBS LiteracyLink Workplace

The Department of Essential Skills series. Education has funded Southeast VAILL will offer VAILL for more than 10 years. There will be three VAILL offers the opportunity to sessions on health literacy and on using recent discoverVAILLs held across the ies in brain research to state this summer. Southwest Virginia’s VAILL learn, unlearn, and relearn. There understand how people learn. Dr. Yvonne Thayer, will be July 24 – 26 at Director of Adult Education Radford University in Radford. Its theme is is something for everyone. and Literacy for Virginia, will be keynote speaker at SE “Modeling Quality Now VAILL. Each VAILL also proand Beyond.” The south- vides the opportunity to view eastern portion of the state will hold its while also acquiring the latest knowl- books and other educational material at conference July 29 – 31 at Christopher edge through an array of workshops publishing companies’ book exhibits. Newport University in Newport News, and in-depth sessions.” Swing says you come away from a using the theme “United for Success.” Southwest VAILL’s coordinator, VAILL feeling a part of the larger adult And the ESL (English as a Second Jane Swing, agrees and says getting to education world and Bowyer says it Language) VAILL in Northern Virginia spend time with peers in a casual, leaves educators “energized” and eager will be July 31 – August 2 at Marymount relaxed atmosphere can offer a whole to return to the classroom and impleUniversity in Fairfax, boasting the theme new way of thinking for those already ment what they learned. So, if you’ve “Civics, Communities and Cultures.” involved in adult education. “We have never been to a VAILL before and

Bowyer, who coordinates the ESL expert presenters, but our peers can you’re still on the fence about attendVAILL, said attending this event is a provide us with a wealth of informa- ing, consider how Dale Temple sums it great way for new, first-year ESL teach- tion and resources,” Swing said. up – “VAILL offers the opportunity to ers to learn more about their profession. “Everything’s not the same every- learn, unlearn, and relearn. There is “They’ll have opportunities to meet where. (VAILL) provides an opportuni- something for everyone.” many colleagues and network,” she said. ty to see what other programs do and Networking and sharing ideas seem to to have conversations you don’t get to Marci McConnell Gore is coordinator of be key components of any successful have in the regular work setting.” the Distance Learning Program for the VAILL, wherever it is held. In addition Each VAILL offers its own intrigu- Regional Adult Education Program of Lee, to in-depth sessions, workshops, mini- ing possibilities. ESL VAILL will have Scott and Wise Counties and the City of sessions, focus and discussion groups, representatives on hand from the Norton. She also does public relations participants of VAILLs are encouraged to Sackler Museum, one of the work for the program.