Bob Reid named Outstanding Volunteer for 2016
Each year the Minnesota Literacy Council selects Outstanding Volunteers who have positively influenced adult literacy, through their demonstrated leadership, dedication and unique contributions. We are pleased to announce that Bob Reid (top left in photo collage) has been selected to receive the 2016 Outstanding Volunteer Award. Bob became a Metro South Volunteer in November 2004 after retiring from a career as a Chemical Engineer. He has worked primarily with math students and for the past 5 years has taught an ESL fractions class to provide students with the opportunity to continue improving math skills until they are able to enter the Adult Diploma math classes. Bob is innovative and creative as a tutor and patiently guides students through math concepts that can be difficult to understand. He is a lifelong learner himself and his enthusiasm is contagious. Bob is a very friendly, dedicated, passionate volunteer who strives to equip his students with the skills they will need to be successful. We thank Bob for his ongoing commitment to Metro South ABE students and congratulate him on this well deserved honor.
The Minnesota Literacy Council also recognizes volunteers who have contributed 1,000 hours to adult literacy with Volunteer Service Awards. Five volunteer from Metro South ABE will receive this award.
1,000 Hour Volunteer Service Award:
Sandy Nelson (top center) has been a member of the Metro South Volunteer program since 2005, joining after retiring from a 40 year career as an elementary teacher. Sandy volunteers at Centennial Elementary in Richfield, a Metro South ABE collaborative partner site.
Dorothy Queen (top right) started with the Metro South Volunteer program in 1987, taking breaks throughout the years for employment and travel. She helps students with reading, writing or math assignments as a Homework Lab volunteer. Dorothy also is a volunteer with Volunteer Connection for E-12 learners in the Bloomington district.
3,000 Hour Volunteer Service Award:
Ellen Hastings (bottom left) has been volunteering with the Metro South Volunteer program since 1995, serving as a tutor for math and GED. Ellen faithfully volunteers eight hours a week in the evening Metro South GED program. A retired math teacher, Ellen has a gentle way of working with GED students, helping them put their fears and anxieties at ease.
5,000 Hour Volunteer Service Award:
Carol Swanson is the lead (and only) volunteer at the Metro South English language class collaborative located at the Eden Prairie Senior Center. Carol (bottom center) provides a valuable service for adult learners who need more flexibility in their schedule in order to attend class. In 2008, Carol won the MN Literacy Council Essie Wiseheart Ledyard Award recognizing literacy volunteers over age 65.
6,000 Hour Volunteer Service Award:
Keith Lindstam (bottom right) joined the Metro South Volunteers program in 2004 and currently volunteers three days a week, helping in the Reading for ESL class, and conducting an advanced writing skills class for Metro South ABE students. Keith regularly devotes between 45 and 55 hours per month to volunteering and preparing lessons. He works with nearly every advanced English language learner and has helped hundreds of students over the years hone their writing skills. The winner of the 2008 Mn Literacy Council Outstanding Volunteer Award, Keith is a tireless volunteer and equally dedicated to the academic success of Metro South ABE students.
