Head of adult learning hub leaves on a high
New Plymouth’s Sharon Wills spent more than a decade leading a team of volunteers to help adults to read and write.
Now, the former manager of Taranaki Adult Literacy Services (TALS) is set to start a new chapter of her own.
Wills was a little pensive during her casual farewell last week, but insisted she was leaving the not-for-profit organisation in high spirits.
‘‘I’m going to miss it, but it’s simply the right time for a change and for someone else to bring a new set of eyes and a fresh perspective,’’ Wills said.
A sign Wills’ enthusiasm for the role never waned was when she sincerely gave kudos to the learning centre’s tutors and students.
‘‘It’s the people, it’s the tutors and the students. A few have been with me since the beginning and they’ve kept coming back every week. They volunteer so much of their own time, they’re just wonderful,’’ she said to her colleagues during her farewell do.
A few cuppas later, Wills had time to reflect on her countless memorable moments; one of which stood out more than most she said.
‘‘An older woman came in, she hadn’t worked for years and had custody of her young grandson. Basically she walked in and said she wanted to work in a library. Within a matter of months she went down to the library to volunteer, a few months later they offered her a job.
‘‘Her literacy wasn’t terrible, the biggest thing was the confidence she’d gained from coming here.
‘‘Confidence is key, it’s part and parcel of what we do,’’ she said.
The centre, situated offered new hope for countless grown-ups who had slipped through New Zealand’s education system cracks without learning how to read or write.
‘‘People have been told that
‘‘Confidence is key, it's part and parcel of what we do.’’
Sharon Wills
they are stupid and think that they are dumb. They’re not. You don’t reach 30, 40, or 60 years of age by being unintelligent.’’
Now, the new face to greet people is Keri Elvin, who is perhaps better known for her Performing Arts Collective efforts.
Elvin is excited to be able to add a touch of fresh spice to the role. She said the transition was made easier by Wills’ outstanding organisational skills, making the handover relatively smooth.