Erika, a student in the ABE program at Erie Neighborhood House in Little Village, stands at a white board with dry erase marker in hand. When she reaches the blank in the sentence she is reading aloud, she pauses. She glances at an acronym\u2014FANBOYS\u2014adjacent to her sentence, written vertically, and then announces her choice and fills the blank with it: B-U-T.<\/p>\n
(FANBOYS is a pneumonic device to remember a few conjunctions\u2014for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so\u2014used to build more complex sentences).<\/p>\n
The instructor, Maria Villafuerte, checks with others students in the classroom. Heads nod and a consensus is reached. \u201cYou got it!\u201d says Villafuerte. Erika smiles and dances a quick jig in front of the class before returning to her seat.<\/p>\n
A dozen students are present in the classroom, and one by one they take turns practicing with the conjunctions they\u2019re incorporating into their vocabulary today.<\/p>\n
ABE is shorthand for Adult Basic Education; it serves as a sort of bridge between ESL classes, which focus primarily on language and literacy skills, and the multidisciplinary requirements of a GED and\/or post-secondary education program.<\/p>\n
The Erie House program incorporates contextualized reading, writing, and speaking along with math, science, technology and workforce readiness. It is made possible by grants from Chicago Tribune Charities, a fund of the McCormick Foundation, and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, as well as public funding through the Illinois Community College Board.<\/p>\n
Villafuerte has taught in the program since it launched 2 years ago, and she has worked hard to design a classroom environment where each individual is valued and affirmed.<\/p>\n
\u201cPart of my job, and my overall goal, is to help students realize that they are stronger than they give themselves credit for,\u201d she explains. \u201cThey are amazing individuals, each one with a great set of skills and talents. I hope that by being in my classroom, they can start to see those talents as readily as I can and start to pursue those personal goals with confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are a variety of reasons for students to enroll in the ABE program at Erie House. Some are there hoping to complete a GED and continue their education at a community college or vocational school. Others want to take more ownership in their children\u2019s education or in the day-to-day activities of their own personal lives.<\/p>\n
Villafuerte aims to meet each individual in her classroom wherever they are and help them reach their potential. This sort of commitment means the world to students like Sulem.<\/p>\n
Sulem moved to Chicago 16 years ago from the state of Guerrero in Mexico and lives a short walk from the Erie House site in Little Village. She likes that everything is close by: laundry, groceries, public transit. Her daughter is 11 and goes to Zapata Elementary, a Chicago Public School right across the street from their home.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is my first year in ABE. Everything is new,\u201d she says. It had been 20 years since she was last in a classroom when she enrolled in the Erie House ESL program program in 2015, so naturally some of those less utilized skills felt a bit rusty.<\/p>\n
After progressing beyond the scope of ESL classes, Sulem was referred to the ABE program. \u201cThe math is a little bit difficult for me,\u201d she explains, \u201cbut I\u2019m learning a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n
The classroom environment, which is both interactive and supportive, has been a great aid to that learning. \u201cWhen I have questions, the teacher or my partner helps me,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Villafuerte explains that this is critical to her classroom objectives, and it is also something that motivates her as a teacher. \u201cWatching students support each other in the classroom is truly a heartwarming experience,\u201d she says. \u201cOur class philosophy has become something along these lines: \u2018Try\u2014if you make mistakes, what’s the worst that can happen?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNow we laugh when we make mistakes and have learned to cheer each other on when we don’t know how to proceed with a question,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n
The ABE classes aren\u2019t just about learning a language, improving vocabulary or solving math problems. They engage students in problem-solving and critical thinking, helping them develop skills that can be applied to a variety of settings and vocations.<\/p>\n
On top of all that, they\u2019re a space in which to build community.<\/p>\n
Sulem admits that some days she doesn\u2019t want to come to classes. The demands of raising a daughter, taking care of chores around the house and other errands can overwhelm, and spending a half day at Erie House 4 days a week can feel like an awfully big commitment.<\/p>\n
In those moments, having a strong classroom community to support her makes a difference.<\/p>\n
Her daughter has provided motivation, too.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe tells me, \u2018Go, Mam\u00e1. It\u2019s good for you,\u2019\u201d says Sulem, laughing as she thinks about the role reversal a 5th grader can play. \u201cAnd sometimes she comes here with me, and she says, \u2018I like your class!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Erika, the student who was up front during the conjunction exercise, feels similarly about the classes. \u201cEvery day I learn something new. I like how Maria teaches us,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s fun. It\u2019s entertaining.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cShe tells me, \u2018Go, Mam\u00e1. It\u2019s good for you,\u2019\u201d says Sulem, laughing as she thinks about the role reversal a 5th grader can play. \u201cAnd sometimes she comes here with me, and she says, \u2018I like your class!\u2019\u201d<\/h3>\n
\u2013 Sulem, student in Erie House ABE program<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
She completed schooling in her native El Salvador, so a lot of material covered in the ABE classes is familiar. For the more challenging topics, Villafuerte has been able to provide Erika with the support she needs. \u201cShe explains things well, and that is very helpful to me,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Her confidence has grown, having progressed through ESL courses at Erie House prior to enrolling in the ABE program. \u201cI want to learn more English,\u201d she says. \u201cSometimes I feel nervous and scared when I\u00a0need\u00a0to speak English\u2014when somebody talks to me at the store or something like that.\u201d Erika says her end goal is to complete her GED and find a good job.<\/p>\n
Developing these aspirations is what it\u2019s all about for Villafuerte. \u201cTeaching also allows me to give my students the tools that they need to be successful members of their community,\u201d she says. \u201cAnd I get to be their greatest advocate\/cheerleader in the process.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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