Glades Family Education

The Glades Family Education Program has served hundreds of adults and their preschool children in Belle Glade, South Bay and Pahokee for 17 years. They practice conversational English while striving to improve their reading, writing, literacy and life skills. At the same time the Early Childhood Program teachers instruct the preschool children of the adult students. The primary focus of the program is family education with an emphasis on changing lives by educating the whole family.

2010-2011 Program Outcomes:

  • 127 adults and 22 preschool children were served.
  • 93% of the adult students tested demonstrated learning gains in reading and language skills.
  • All of the children made age appropriate gains in their school readiness.

PROGRAM IMPACT

“Mom, hurry up! We need to get back in class!” says little Michelle Ramirez to her mother Yolanda, who, with a patient tone, a smile on her face and a sense of pride perceivable by everyone around them, replies, “Hold on, Mami, let me finish my lunch!” Yolanda could not speak any English when she came to this country in 1999. “I had to get a job in the fields because there it doesn’t matter if you speak English or not,” says Yolanda.

Several situations fueled Yolanda’s commitment to learn English. “My oldest daughter was having trouble at school and I could not communicate with her teachers unless there was an interpreter available.” Yolanda was also worried that she could not understand what her daughter was saying when she talked to her friends from school. “I couldn’t be on top of things because I didn’t understand. Also, when Michelle broke her arm, I had to take her to the doctor several times. I had to sit and wait for hours until someone who spoke Spanish could help us. I decided that things could not go on like this for the rest of my life. I had to learn English!”

Yolanda’s enthusiasm and desire to learn have allowed her to have outstanding improvement. “I am so grateful to have a school in this community where not only I can improve my English but also because my daughter is learning in the same school while I take my class.” Michelle has changed a lot according to her mother. “She is much more outgoing and talkative and she knows a lot more.”

 

Address: 981 S.E. 1st Street, Belle Glade, 33430