Jacob Cross
Jacob Cross is a busy, young father of two who is an officer in the Air National Guard.
Jacob Cross
Three years ago, he wondered how he could give back to his community and remembered witnessing adults having difficulty completing forms where he previously worked. Soon after, he attended the Tutor Certification course offered by Literacy Volunteers of Bangor and began working with retired man named Jim.
“I have a great admiration for Jim’s resilience. I love helping him be more independent and confident with better reading!”
Jaci & Tom Hancock
Jaci and Tom Hancock enjoy an active and meaningful retirement. As a married couple, they relish volunteering as a tutor team.
Jaci & Tom Hancock
Paired with an Arabic-speaking family newly arrived in the US, the Hancocks use a variety of teaching methods to achieve literacy goals. Using Google Translate and playing Scrabble are among several methods. Jaci and Tom find what works best for each individual family member. Their efforts have been successful. The family can now shop and conduct basic life tasks confidently. Additionally, they see a path to becoming US citizens.
Key to the success of this tutor/student relationship is trust built carefully over time. Tom, Jaci, and their student family all derive benefits from this learning relationship.
Phil Locke
You wouldn’t necessarily think that a mathematician would make a great English language teacher. Phil Locke is proof that there are no particular requirements for becoming a literacy tutor.
Phil Locke
After retiring from a distinguished career as a professor at the University of Maine, Phil volunteered with us and in 2024 was recognized for his 20 years of helping non-native speakers come to grips with English. He has worked with over 50 students, often several at a time, and has gone to extraordinary lengths to help. He has met his students wherever they were, including one memorable schedule at a dairy farm where some students worked. At one point he realized that he needed better tools for helping his Spanish-speaking students, so he learned Spanish.
During his 20 years, his enthusiasm for teaching and helping others has never waned. “I have loved every minute of it,” Phil says. “I would pay LVB to volunteer!”
Steph Chesley
LVB tutor, Steph, believes that anyone can learn. “What’s important,” she says, “is finding students’ motivation to learn and their strengths. From there, you help build confidence.”
Steph Chesley
Having fun is also important. “No one is going to learn and show up if it’s a burden. As adults, we have enough burdens already,” insists Steph. Steph speaks from experience. Twenty years ago, she received a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and today is in a wheelchair.
“I tire easily and find that I can only do one big thing each day,” says Steph. “So, I make my time count and volunteer as a literacy tutor.”
JoAnne Rollins
“My student has made amazing progress despite significant setbacks. She’s had health issues as well as home emergencies.”
JoAnne Rollins
JoAnne says “She’s had floods in her home from frozen pipes that made it inhabitable and caused her to lose everything. Then again at the apartment she was living in while her home was being rebuilt, there was a fire. Once again, she lost her clothes, furniture, and many other belongings. Through all of this, she was always ready for me to come for a tutoring session.”
“Her strong will and persistence, as well as her positive attitude, has been a powerful example to me.”
Doug Ferguson
“I have learned a lot of math, tutoring my student Hanan. But what I appreciate most about tutoring is my student. Hanan and I are friends.”
Doug Ferguson
Doug says, “I respect her immensely. Hanan has experienced so much—she endured war, fled her country with her mom and siblings, and has established a life here with her fiancé. She works 70+ hours every week providing residential care.
I find it incredibly gratifying to see my friend and student as she gains confidence applying skills she has learned.”
Mary Lausier
“Fifteen years ago, I began this journey with my student helping her to enhance her reading skills and hoping that I was making an impact on her.”
Mary Lausier
“As it turned out, my student Rhonda impacted me in so many ways.”
“Rhonda has demonstrated perseverance and determination that I have found amazing. I am so proud of her and her accomplishments and consider her an extended member of my family. Not a week goes by that she doesn’t say, “So, Mare, how’s your husband, your kids and Reesie (my dog)?” It is an honor and a privilege to be a Literacy Volunteer and I look forward to continuing in the years to come.”