Cranford Woman Changes Lives as Literacy Tutor

The following information was provided by Literacy Volunteers of Union County. 

“You are never too old to learn” she says with conviction.  It’s her guiding philosophy of life.  And septuagenarian Roslyn Reed of Cranford continually conveys that wisdom to the adult students she tutors through Literacy Volunteers of Union County.  For nearly twenty years the “phone company” retiree has volunteered a few hours a week to help functionally illiterate adults improve their reading and develop the confidence and skills to improve their lives.

“If you want help – it’s there,” she said.  “Life is full of interruptions – people lose their jobs, they lose confidence, they have to move, we lose loved ones, but you can always come back.  You are never too old to learn and to work towards your goals,” said Reed.  “I still learn every day!” she exclaimed.

And that she does.  Whether it is computer classes, bible study or ballroom dance – Reed is always looking for a challenge and a way to grow.  It was her love of learning that inspired Reed to sign up for Literacy Volunteers’ tutor training class in 1994.  After almost forty years working for the “phone company,” originally New Jersey Bell and ultimately Verizon, Reed took that simple step which launched her “second career” as a volunteer tutor. It was a step that she says has made retirement more meaningful and enriched her days.

“I am blessed that I am able to do this – serve as a literacy tutor.   It’s so satisfying to help people work on improving themselves – building their confidence.  They bring that new confidence to their jobs,” she said.

Born and raised in East Orange, Reed went to work for NJ Bell, shortly after graduation from East Orange High School.  Hired as an operator, she moved into the accounting department and ended her career there as a drafter in the engineering department.  “I was always learning and growing in the job.”

But all along, Reed thought about being a teacher.  “Since I love to learn, I thought maybe I could help someone else learn.”  As a literacy tutor, she has worked with five different students.  “They have all been so satisfying to work with.  They’ve all had different needs,” said the mother of two.

“I’ve tutored adults who had their high school diplomas, but they still couldn’t read.”

“Nearly 25% of adults in Union County are functionally illiterate,” said Elizabeth Gloeggler, executive director of Literacy Volunteers of Union County.  “That means they can’t read the back of a medicine bottle, fill out a job application or read their child a bed time story. Illiteracy is directly related to every social ill,” said Gloeggler.

Literacy Volunteers recruits, trains and supervises more than 200 volunteer tutors who work one-on-one or with groups of individuals struggling to read, write or speak English, or adults who want to pass their GED high school equivalency or citizenship test.

Now, for the first time, Reed is working with a group of students as they prepare for the GED high school equivalency test on-line.  She is teaching the free 15 week GED online test prep class held each Tuesday morning at the Bayway Family Success Center in Elizabeth.

“Since Roslyn has continued to enhance her own computer skills and is so patient with students, we thought she would be the perfect volunteer to lead our new on-line GED Test prep class,” said Literacy Specialist Dawn Harrison.  “The class is open to students at all computer levels, even those students with no computer experience at all. Roslyn makes the students feel really good about learning.  They pay her in hugs!” exclaimed Harrison.

During the years she was working and raising her daughters, Reed volunteered with the school and for CCD classes, but she says her literacy volunteer work is different.  “The fact that I was formally trained and felt totally prepared made a big difference,” she said.  “The main reason I’ve stuck with it so long is the wonderful professional staff that supervises and supports the volunteers.  I see their enthusiasm and that rubs off on you.  They are so conscientious and so supportive.  The tutor training and ongoing trainings help me so much with my teaching skills.  I’ve learned about learning disabilities and so much more.”

Five years ago, Roslyn also started volunteering three hours a week in the Literacy Volunteers’ office, helping out with the administrative aspects of the program.  This year, she was offered a part time job in the office.

“I’ve thought about other types of volunteer work, but this is especially satisfying for me,” said Reed.  “Volunteering as a literacy tutor helps people in their lives, it changes their futures.”