Linda Jilk is a part-time Program Coordinator with Literacy NRV. After earning her Masters degree in Teaching Students with Specific Learning Disabilities from Virginia Tech, she devoted her career to providing learners with access to skills and knowledge to empower them to bring about the changes they wish to see in their lives. She has more than 25 years experience teaching literacy, math, GED, workforce readiness/life skills, and English as a Second Language to adults and teens. She has worked with Literacy NRV for more than 12 years in a variety of positions, including Executive Director, Grant Writer, GED/ESL Teacher, and Tutor Trainer, and she is currently employed in a role focused on facilitating and supporting adult literacy learning. Linda said, “I so much believe in the power and importance of literacy education as a catalyst for positive change.”
We asked Linda to share her favorite things about the mission and work at Literacy NRV:
What is your favorite thing about working at Literacy NRV?
I feel like this is the best job in the world because I have the opportunity to work with so many incredible and inspirational people. Our volunteers and staff are so dedicated and caring and passionate about teaching and learning and helping, they teach me so much about generosity and being there for others. And our students are so very hard working and brave and determined to overcome obstacles to achieve learning goals, they teach me so much about persistence and grit and having the courage to pursue positive change.
What is one thing you wish people knew about our mission?
The “each one, teach one” philosophy of neighbors helping neighbors is truly making a positive difference. Every day, we learn of students who have achieved goals -- goals such as reading to a child; communicating with a supervisor, a child’s teacher or doctor; using a computer to apply for jobs; passing a test for citizenship, a GED or driver’s license -- the list goes on and on and on. When adults learn basic literacy skills, they gain new power -- power to change their lives, their families and the community we all share.
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