Staff and volunteer honored by Literacy Minnesota with award

This spring, Tshiab Lee, volunteer coordinator and Michelle Lamardo, volunteer in Osseo Area Schools’ Adult Basic Education program received statewide recognition from Literacy Minnesota for their excellence and outstanding support of adult students.

 

 

 

Michelle Lamardo first became involved in the Osseo Area Schools’ Adult Basic Education program in 2017 after spending three years as a student in the Family Literacy Program, a collaboration between ABE and Early Childhood Family Education.

 

Lamardo has assisted classroom teachers, worked one-on-one with independent students preparing for GED exams in math and science, and supported students in math and reading. 

 

“Helping students pass their GED is a great accomplishment,” Lamardo said, describing each success as a reflection of her contribution to help another person achieve their dreams. 

 

When asked to share a moment Lamardo knew her volunteer work made a difference in the lives of adult students, Lamardo recalled working with a student who was motivated by her child to complete her GED. After supporting the student with preparation for the final math GED test, the adult student passed and later celebrated graduation with her son. 

 

“Every student represents a different story, stories from which I have learned and which help me become a better person every day,” Lamardo said. 

 

Lamardo was nominated for the award by Tshiab Lee, ABE volunteer coordinator.  

 

 

Tshiab Lee works as ABE volunteer coordinator and was recognized for her excellence in connecting volunteers with students and classrooms.

 

In her role, Lee has spent the past nine months recruiting volunteers, supporting classroom and one-on-one tutoring placements, and matching volunteers with students based on academic goals and areas of interest.

 

“Being able to work with volunteers has opened a new perspective for me. Seeing the impact our volunteers have on our students, it brightens my day,” said Lee. “It also brightens my day when I see that our volunteers are excited to start volunteering, they make a great difference.” 

 

Lee was nominated for the award by Nancy Johnson, ABE program manager.

 

When asked about the recognition from Literacy MN, Lee said, “I am grateful to have been nominated and to be the recipient of this award, it shows me that I am making a difference. This shows how much I've grown from the beginning of this year to now. I've learned so much from the volunteers, students, teachers and staff at ABE.”

Congratulations to Tshiab and Michelle.  

 

Osseo Area Schools’ Adult Basic Education is part of Community Education programs in the district. To learn more about ABE, visit ce.osseoschools.org/abe.