Literacy Council gearing up with new director at helm
Dogwood Literacy Council has a new director — Charlie Muessemeyer — and is getting ready to kick off its fall programs with a celebration of International Literacy Day on Sept. 8.
The literacy council, which is located at 100 S. Broadway St., offers free literacy classes for English language learners and for English speakers who are looking to boost their reading skills. It also offers citizenship
classes, computer literacy classes and is looking to add financial and health literacy classes, Muessemeyer said.
Literacy is key to stopping the cycle of poverty, according to Muessemeyer. But the impact is more than just financial. Not being able to speak English can also impact other area’s of a person’s life, such as their health. She explained that not being able to read or understand English can make it hard for them to access medical care, or even understand the instructions on a bottle of medicine.
“The more English you have, the nicer job you can have and the more you can get paid, so its a great motivator,” she said. “What we’re trying to do is reduce poverty and increase income … and in doing so, broaden social participation so we can have a nicer society and a nicer community, and people are living better lives.”
Ninety percent of the council’s classes are focused on English language learners, Muessemeyer said. Classes are offered for both Hmong and Spanish speakers. The organization also works with English speakers who want to learn to read or write.
Citizenship classes, taught by local immigration attorney Don Ball, and English language classes will begin next month. Last year six students were able to pass their citizenship test after graduating from the class, Muessemeyer said. Additional classes on computer, financial and health literacy will be added throughout the semester based on student need, she said.
Volunteers serve as tutors and lead classes. Walton scholars from John Brown University volunteer to help with evening classes, while retirees often volunteer during the day. Muessemeyer said there is a misconception that volunteer tutors need to speak another language. As long as a person can speak and read English, they can teach English, she said. The council provides materials and support
What we’re trying to do is reduce poverty and increase income … and in doing so, broaden social participation so we can have a nicer society and a nicer community, and people are living better lives. Charlie Muessenmeyer Dogwood Literary Council director
for tutors, and volunteers work between four and five hours a week.
Muessemeyer has been involved with the Dogwood Literacy Council for more than a decade and became director of the organization in April. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Oklahoma Panhandle University and a Master’s degree in religious studies from Southwestern Baptist University. She began teaching English language learners in 1990 and moved to Siloam Springs in 2000, where she used her skills to get involved with teaching English at First Baptist Church and the Dogwood Literacy Council.
“Literacy is that key that opens doors to all kinds of places you might want to go,” she said.
Muessemeyer said teaching English language learners is like traveling the world without the jet lag. As a teacher, she gets to learn about other cultures, religions and food, as well as the struggles that people have gone through to get to the United States. She also likes to get a chance to help people improve their lives, which in turn improves the whole community.
“Teaching anything, the teacher learns so much and receives so much, just from teaching, and then when you add English as a second language then you get all the culture … which is awesome,” Muessemeyer said. “And then here (at the Literacy Council), literacy helps end poverty, literacy helps with making people healthier because they can read and follow instructions… Literacy helps you get a better job, so you get more money and the money goes further so basically your children live a better life, so in working at the literacy council I feel like I’m improving society.”
The council plans to celebrate International Literacy Day from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 8 with an open house, check presentation from Ben Jones Cyclery and proclamation by Mayor John Turner. More information is available at dogwoodliteracycouncil.org.