Two tutors recognized for hard work, dedication to RLC students

INA, Ill. (May 14, 2015) - Nancy Hahs and Rebecca Sobeck: two unsung heroes at Rend Lake College who continue to devote their time and energy to students enrolled in Adult Education and Literacy programs.

Hahs has been nominated for the Spotlight on Service Award through the Illinois Secretary of State’s Adult Volunteer Literacy grant and is one of only ten tutors across the state to win. The Opdyke native has spent the last year volunteering as an Adult Literacy tutor at RLC where she works one-on-one as well as in small groups with ESL (English Second Language) students.

After learning about the ESL Program from a church association, Hahs decided to put her knowledge of the Japanese language to the ultimate test. Currently, she serves learners from five different countries.

“This is one of the most rewarding projects I have ever encountered. I love helping people learn and succeed,” said Hahs. “People who come here have dreams and hopes. They can’t possibly accomplish either one of these if they can’t communicate or understand our language. I think people should be taught so they can become givers, and not takers.”

Hahs added her favorite moment of teaching is when one of her students reaches a goal or succeeds in some way, big or small.

“It’s a great motivation for me. I was always taught to learn the basics first and that is how I teach my learners,” said Hahs. “I try to be creative and fun with my classes. When they enjoy what they are doing, they look forward to the next class and the next new accomplishment. When I achieve this with my learners, I feel like I have succeeded my mission. I think this is a wonderful program and I look forward to every opportunity I have to work with these people.”

Hahs attended a special ceremony and luncheon yesterday at the Illinois State Library in Springfield where she received a $200 check to be used for RLC’s Adult Volunteer Literacy program, an Illinois Blue Book with her name, and a special plaque.

Hahs is pictured with Jesse White, LEFT, Illinois Secretary of State, and Dennis DeRossett, RIGHT, executive director of the Illinois Press Association, after receiving her Spotlight on Service Award yesterday at the annual Spotlight on Achievement and Service Awards ceremony in Springfield.

Ali Whittington, RLC Literacy & Data Management Specialist, said Hahs is one of the best tutors she’s encountered in the Adult Education and Literacy Program.

“During my three and a half years at Rend Lake College, Nancy is by far one of the most valuable tutors I have ever had the privilege of training and working with in the program,” said Whittington. “Nancy works with several different ESL students at different times during the week, cares very deeply for her learners, and is always dependable and trustworthy with any and all responsibilities she is given. She is most deserving of this year’s Spotlight on Service Award.”

Similarly, Sobeck received special recognition from the Delta Kappa Gamma Society of Women Teachers at a special ceremony on May 2 in Murphysboro for volunteer tutoring in Franklin County. The honor came after three years of tutoring students who wished to take the GED - now known as the High School Equivalency (HSE) test.

Sobeck, originally from Mulkeytown and an alumni of RLC, now lives in Coello with her husband. As a child, she dreamed of becoming a teacher, but life took her on a different path. She was employed by Franklin-Williamson Illinois Bi-County Health Department when an automobile accident in 2011 didn’t allow her to return to work. Needing something to help fill her time, and after learning about RLC’s Adult Volunteer Literacy program, she decided to follow her teaching dream.

“It feels so good to be able to give to someone else a little bit of yourself and make a friend in return,” said Sobeck. “It was a win-win situation where I could learn to help someone else while getting help for myself.”

Sobeck, CENTER, is pictured receiving her recognition plaque from the Delta Kappa Gamma Society of Women Teachers earlier this month in Murphysboro.

Sobeck said she will never forget her first student: a woman who needed tutoring for the math portion of the HSE test. Despite some learning problems, Sobeck and the student dedicated a lot of time and effort working on math. In the end, the student succeeded and received her GED, and because of this, Sobeck and this student are past nominees for the Spotlight on Service award. Currently, Sobeck is working with a student in Benton who wants to improve his reading skills.

Whittington said about Sobeck, “Rebecca is a very dedicated tutor who loves to help others. Her first student with whom she worked commented that Rebecca was able to explain math to her in a way that she could finally understand. She is always willing to take on any task put before her, even if she knows it will be challenging.”

To learn more about RLC’s Adult Education Volunteer Literacy program, contact Ali Whittington at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1342 or whittingtona@rlc.edu.