What People Have Said About the Program:
“Thank you for providing me with an invaluable opportunity to complete this certificate. I have enjoyed my two (+) years and will be proud to receive my diploma.”
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“By completing a Fieldwork Placement, a practitioner is showing that he/she is developing important skills such as always being willing to take on new tasks and being willing to learn.”
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“I have broadened not only my knowledge of the writing process and grammar in particular, but I was given the opportunity to examine how other programs are offered in their communities.”
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“I know that I am more flexible and I have more confidence in my abilities in the literacy field.”
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“I’ve networked with some other people through a pilot project run by [the school board]. This has helped me see a larger community focus on literacy, which is an added resource when I become an instructor. I have also started to somewhat understand the union/management ethos of the school board. I picture ways to incorporate my teaching strategies within that environment.”
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When I first became the Executive Director of my organization , I did not think that having a TALEC certificate was necessary as a “must have”. That was due to the fact that I retired from a successful career in business, where part of my role was training/developing managers and business owners and felt prior experience was as effective. I learned my LBS knowledge from my role as a tutor, trainer, provincial trainer and serving on boards of literacy agencies.
However, now that I am in the service delivery of LBS programming, I consider TALEC a necessary credential for my program staff. It will also be a necessary asset for future hires. Not only does this provide credibility to the organization, it also provides credibility to my staff and acknowledges their skill set. It reduces training time for new employees and improves the quality of assessment & programming. Staff who do not have TALEC have had a longer, more difficult time understanding LBS and all the language, levels surrounding it.
Carol Risidore, Executive Director
The Literacy Group of Waterloo Region
