MTC and Soar in 4 work together to elevate family literacy

(Bradenton, FL—November 19, 2021) Manatee Technical College and Soar in 4 partnered to provide a Family Literacy Night at MTC’s West campus on November 16.  The Adult General Education program at MTC and Soar in 4 collaborated to create a two-generational literacy program for upper-level adult students of English as a second language.

Dr. Sheila Halpin, the coordinator of the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, spoke with the group of 26 ESL students, who are parents or participating in the upbringing of relative children.  The Literacy Night attendees watched an emotional video called “No Small Matters” that addressed early childhood education in America today.

The adult education students are participating in the monthly family literacy events as part of their curriculum.  The goal of the events is to give students the skills to become their children’s first and best literacy teacher.

Soar in 4 is a community-funded organization that grew out of the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading.   Soar in 4 was started in Manatee County and has won two national awards for its work in family literacy.