Literacy Source

Waiting to Welcome You

Executive Director
Anne Helmholz	Executive Director	Anne has worked with adult learners and Literacy Source for almost 20 years. Life-long learning is something that Anne believes in strongly and also finds absolutely necessary for getting on in this world. Anne is responsible for the organization’s consistent achievement of its mission and financial objectives. She administers and monitors all programs, personnel and resources and conducts planning activities on behalf of literacy and organizational issues. Anne has a master’s degree in education and years of rich experience with wise, creative volunteers; enthusiastic, informed staff; newly educated instructors and the inspiring, diverse adult learners at Literacy Source.	206-782-2050 x100
Staff
Miranda Bodfish	Citizenship Instruction	Miranda coordinates citizenship classes and tutoring onsite and offsite for students who wish to become U.S. citizens. She teaches the White Center citizenship class, helps students prepare to apply for citizenship, and supports volunteer citizenship tutors and instructors. Miranda came to Literacy Source as a volunteer in 2006 and served as a full-time Literacy*AmeriCorps member for the 2006-2007 program year. She has a background in International Studies and Black Studies.	206-782-2050 x104
Justin Butler	EDP Advisor/ Assessor	Justin works primarily in the evenings as an Advisor/Assessor in the External Diploma Program. The EDP provides a unique alternative for adults to earn a high school diploma. As an Advisor/Assessor, Justin counsels participants and diagnoses skill deficiencies, recommends learning remediation activities, and assesses competencies. Justin discovered Literacy Source in 1999 through one of many volunteer opportunities that are offered, and has been an employee since 2001.	206-782-2050 x108
Dana Cordy	Workforce Student Support Services	Dana supports our biannual "Customer Service for ELL" job training program by working closely with community partners and local organizations. She helps coordinate services for job-seekers enrolled in the program, works to develop lasting partnerships with local employers, and provides the instructor support essential to student success.	206-782-2050 x106
Kit Hanski	EDP Advisor/ Assessor	Kit is program coordinator and Advisor/Assessor for our high school degree program. EDP is a unique assessment based, national program for adults. Kit works one-on-one with candidates as they demonstrate their high school level skills through real life situations. As an Advisor/Assessor, Kit counsels participants and diagnoses skill deficiencies, recommends learning remediation activities, and assesses competencies. When someone does finish the program, it is a real cause for celebration. Kit has been on staff since 1998, and was a volunteer for 2 years before that.	206-782-2050 x108
David Garcia	Work Study	His full name is David R. Garcia, but he goes by Day Day. He just moved to Seattle from Saginaw, Michigan in February of this year. DayDay is eighteen years old, and is a very well educated young man. Currently, he is attending the Art Institute of Seattle for Video Production. After obtaining his Associates Degree, he will be moving to Atlanta, Georgia in order to seek employment as an Assistant Director, or Final Cut Pro Editor. Upon completing his Bachelors Degree at the Art Institute of Atlanta, he will seek further employment in his field as a Director. At Literacy, DayDay hopes to become further familiar with the process of citizenship, as well as helping others in understanding how to make immigrants feel more at ease with speaking English. He hopes to help immigrants becoming United States Citizens gain confidence in who they are.	206-782-2050
Emily Hazelton	Administrative Assistant	Emily is a Work Study employee and a student at Seattle Pacific University who plans to major in English literature. She assists other staff members with data entry, test grading and scoring, and financial deposits. She also works on keeping the office organized, designing and editing brochures and flyers, tracking and contacting volunteers and donors, fundraising, and various other office projects. She is an instructor for the Reading Tools for Life program, and is also working on an informational video about RTFL to use in recruiting students and volunteers. Emily loves working at Literacy Source because of her upbeat coworkers and the incredible and diverse students who come to Literacy Source.	206-782-2050
Nick Jennings	Network Administrator	Nick makes sure that everything computer-related at Literacy Source runs smoothly, including printers, computers and network hardware. He manages and maintains all of the servers and clients, monitors backups and sets up new computers.	206-782-2050
Laura McCarty	Information Development Manager	Laura is responsible for information development and management at Literacy Source. She enhances and maintains our systems for reporting student and volunteer data and for tracking donors. Laura is also responsible for providing performance data to various funders including federal and state government entities and other grantors. She maintains the Literacy Source website and provides training to staff on various software applications.	206-782-2050 x107
Carrie Misener	Administrative Consultant	Carrie has been working at the Literacy Source in various capacities since 1989. Currently she oversees a variety of special projects and organizational tasks in the few hours she has free each week from her “day job” as an elementary school teacher.	206-782-2050 x107
Kyna Moser	ESL Instruction/Lead Instructional Manager	Kyna manages Literacy Source’s English as a Second Language program, including classes and one-to-one tutoring for immigrant and refugee students. She also coordinates the Community Literacy Project which increases access to instruction by providing neighborhood classes for underserved clients. As the Lead Instructional Manager, Kyna provides direction to the Instructional Management team in developing, implementing and evaluating program policies, procedures and standards; ensuring adherence to governing standards for program quality; and facilitating long-term instructional program planning and goal setting. Kyna served as a Literacy*AmeriCorps member in 2003-04 and became a full-time staff member the following year. Kyna first got involved with ESL instruction as a volunteer with the Northern Nevada Literacy Council. “I love my work; I’m constantly inspired by students who work hard to achieve their goals and energized by volunteers who share their talents and time with our community.”	206-782-2050 x103
Tasha Mosher	Adult Basic Education & Technology Instruction	Tasha coordinates the one-to-one tutoring programs for onsite Basic Skills and computer learning, as well as the offsite tutoring program at the King County Correctional Facility. She is particularly interested in building accessible lesson-planning resources through the onsite library and Volunteer Blog. Tasha was an instructor for a local literacy consortium/Literacy*AmeriCorps public speaking program for ESL and ABE adult learners. She also tutored in a number of programs at Literacy Source before becoming a full-time staff member in 2005. Tasha appreciates the opportunity to help others become more self-sufficient and active members of our community.	206-782-2050 x101
Briana Olson	Workforce Instruction	Briana manages Literacy Source’s workforce programs, providing learning opportunities for immigrants and refugees who seek employment or would like to advance at their current job. She supervises our intensive, biannual “Customer Service for ELL” job training and connects with employers who want to help their employees advance by partnering with Literacy Source to offer on-the-job English classes. She served as a Literacy*Americorps member at the Refugee Assistance Program in 2001-02 and joined Literacy Source as an ESL instructor in 2003.	206-782-2050 x102
Americorps
Emily Kuhlman	Literacy*AmeriCorps Fluent Communications Coordinator	Emily coordinates the Talk Time and Reading Tools for Life programs. These both include two classes weekly where students and volunteers work together to improve their English fluency through conversational opportunities or computer based reading programs. Natalie is implementing a new Conversation Partner Program this year where students can work one-on-one with volunteer tutors to improve their conversational English skills. Emily has her B.A. in Applied Linguistics with a special emphasis on Literacy and also minored in TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language). She spent time doing volunteer teaching in China after graduating from university and loves working with people from diverse cultures and languages. “I am really excited to be at Literacy Source this year and to interact with, teach, and learn from the many amazing people that walk through its doors each day!”
Melinda Steen	Literacy*AmeriCorps ESL Instructor/Resource Coordinator	Melinda coordinates instructional services for adult ESL learners, including one-to-one tutoring and classroom instruction and teaches a Beginning ESL class at Literacy Source. She will also be helping to recruit, train, and support volunteers. Melinda has volunteered many hours in ESL classes and spent time studying abroad. She recently graduated with a recreational management degree and a minor in business admin. She is excited to be at Literacy Source for her AmeriCorp year!
Jocelyn Tidwell	Literacy*AmeriCorps Transitions Coordinator	Jocelyn assists with the workplace ESL classes and supervised study times. She helps to recruit and train volunteers and directly supports the volunteer Evening Office Managers. Jocelyn is working to develop an orientation for new students and she works with the other Literacy*Americorps members to plan certain events and workshops throughout the year. She just graduated this May with a B.A in English and minors in Drama and TESOL. Through her studies, she discovered her passion for ESL and for helping everyone find and develop their unique voice. She is excited to be part of the impacting and diverse work being done at Literacy Source.
Natalie Bicknell	Washington Service Corps Key Connections Coordinator	Natalie manages Literacy Source’s new Key Connections project. The Key Connections project’s aim is to help students gain increased access to employment and self sufficiency by improving their computer skills. Natalie is developing a curriculum for the computer tutoring program, as well as the technology workshops and workforce trainings. She also assists with volunteer training and support and one to one computer instruction. As an avid reader, former English instructor, and internet devotee, Natalie is happy to help open up the wonderful world of technology to the diverse and inspiring students of Literacy Source.
Instructors/Contractors
Eileen Danz	King County Corrections Facility Instructor	Eileen teaches basic and life skills to men and women in Literacy Source’s Transitions classes at King County Correctional Facility. She first served as an AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteer at Literacy Source and then managed the Adult Basic Education program for five years. She now works exclusively with incarcerated students as they prepare for their release.
Leslie Deming	Accountant	Leslie has been engaged in accounting for small organizations for over 30 years. From Leslie: "This is one of the most positive jobs I have had. The work that see done around me is of such value and the accounting is challenging enough to be forever interesting. I am grateful for the opportunity to make a contribution to such a positive learning community."
Polly Freeman	Publications Coordinator	Polly helps write and edit all kinds of information about Literacy Source, including the annual report, brochures, letters, invitations and other publications. Polly also helps write and edit grant reports and grant applications. She has many years of experience in public outreach and communication, especially on environmental issues. An avid reader and recovering English major, Polly is delighted to be working in support of literacy and learning.
Nancy Kruse	Workplace ESL Instructor	Nancy is a part-time ESL Instructor in the retail training program at Deseret Industries Thrift Store. She plans lessons that integrate everyday English with language related to the retail industry, encourages students to identify common experiences, and helps them build confidence to use their new language skills with supervisors and diverse co-workers.
Sarah Showell	Instructor, ESL Tukwila	Sarah is a part-time ESL instructor for the Tukwila Community Literacy Project. She has 10 years of teaching experience in Japan and Seattle, and enjoys teaching grammar, idioms, and American culture. She and her husband live in Tukwila with their two children, one dog, and four chickens.
Deborah Turnbull	Instructor, ESL	Deborah presently teaches ESL to adult learners (primarily from the former Soviet Union) at the Samara Apartments in Tukwila. She recently taught ESL to East African refugees through the Refugee Resettlement Office, and has taught citizenship preparation classes to Russian speakers through Jewish Family Services. Deborah loves helping refugees and immigrants learn English and feels privileged to have the chance to get to know people from other countries.

Literacy Source

Staff

Waiting to Welcome You