Chicago Heights, IL—(ENEWSPF)— Donald Bartak, volunteer math tutor for Prairie State College, was recently recognized by Secretary of State and State Librarian Jessie White and the Illinois Press Association with a Spotlight on Service award for his dedication and commitment as a literacy tutor.
Bartak has been a tutor at Prairie State College since 2001, logging 4,968 hours of assisting adult students. He started tutoring after his wife, who was training to become at tutor at Prairie State, thought he would love it. Bartak primarily works with small groups of two to three students three times a week, but also works with students one-on-one.
“I get great satisfaction in watching my students learn and succeed; I feel pride in their achievement,” said Bartak, a resident of Chicago Heights. “I thank them for needing me—and my wife for pointing the way for me to become a volunteer tutor.”
Dora Ivory, coordinator of adult literacy and education at Prairie State College, said, “Don provides an environment of trust and ownership to the students that he serves. He has high expectations of his students and his service, and his commitment to them has been crucial to the literacy project’s math tutorial success.”
Board Chair Mark Fazzini said, “It is so important that the efforts of volunteers be recognized, and we are very proud of Don’s contributions. He is able to have a positive influence on the lives of others that come to Prairie State College.”
Ten literacy students from Illinois were also recognized with Spotlight on Achievement awards. Students and tutors are nominated from among the nearly 200 local providers who receive literacy grant funding from the Secretary of State/Illinois State Library Literacy Office.
According to the Illinois Adult Literacy Survey, about four million Illinois adults lack the basic reading, math, writing or language skills to function effectively at home, at work and in the community. The Prairie State College Adult Education department offers a variety of services to assist adults who need to improve their literacy skills, or those who need to learn the English language.The college also offers courses to prepare individuals who need to take the GED examination.
The school is looking for tutors for both days and evenings. Those interested in becoming a volunteer tutor should contact Ivory at (708) 709-3724.
