Recently, our Executive Director, Bryan Seck, and one of our wonderful tutors, Barb Tyler, had the pleasure of sitting down with Kim Hachiya on the City of Lincoln’s Aging Partners “Live and Learn” program. The conversation was a fantastic look into the heart of our organization, revealing the deep community impact and the personal connections that fuel our mission.
If you missed it, we’ve put together a recap of the highlights from their discussion.
Providing Freedom, Not Just a Language
As Bryan explained, the work of Lincoln Literacy goes far beyond teaching grammar. “Lincoln Literacy provides freedom,” he shared. By learning English, our students can “truly interact with their neighbors, their friends, their children’s teachers, their healthcare providers.” It’s about empowering new Americans to be successful and feel at home in our community.
The scale of this work is immense. Last year alone, we served over 2,000 adult learners from 87 different countries. With the help of 165 dedicated volunteers and 55 staff members, we do more than just teach. We run six 15-passenger vans to provide transportation and offer childcare at our seven locations, removing critical barriers that might otherwise prevent our students from attending class.
A View from the Classroom: The Tutor’s Perspective
The magic of our mission truly comes to life through our volunteers. Barb Tyler, a tutor who joined us after retiring, shared her own journey from uncertainty to finding deep fulfillment.
She began with a one-on-one student from South Sudan who was learning to read and write for the very first time. Now, she teaches a group class, helping more advanced students master the nuances of English, including the slang and idioms they encounter at work and in daily life.
What does she get out of it? “I get a lot of satisfaction in seeing them grow,” Barb said. She described the joy of seeing her students have a “breakthrough” moment and the honor she feels from the deep respect they show their teachers.
This is the “cultural ambassador” role that our tutors so beautifully fill. They are the trusted person their students can turn to with questions about American life, creating a safe space to practice everything from talking with a police officer to understanding a doctor’s instructions.
Student-Led Learning: The Secret to Success
One of the most unique aspects of Lincoln Literacy is our teaching approach. We don’t mandate a strict curriculum. Instead, our classes are shaped by what the students themselves want to learn.
This student-led model ensures that the lessons are always relevant and immediately applicable. If a student is struggling to communicate with their child’s school, the class will practice that specific dialogue. This makes learning infinitely more engaging than simply “grinding through a textbook.” As Bryan noted, the necessary grammar gets naturally infused into these practical, real-world conversations.
You Can Be a Part of It
Are you feeling inspired? Do you want to be the next Barb? We are always looking for passionate volunteers to join our team. Teaching is a big responsibility, but as Barb’s story shows, you don’t need to be a professional teacher to make a profound impact. We provide all the training, resources, and support you need to succeed.
As Bryan said, “To anyone who’s worried about, ‘Oh my gosh, I’ve never written a lesson, I’ve never taught,’ you can do it.”
Watch the full segment on “Live and Learn” to hear more from Bryan and Barb here.
Ready to start your own journey as a volunteer? Visit our website to fill out an interest form and learn more about the process.
