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July 13, 2009
 News and Notes from the National Institute for Literacy
Acting Director, Daniel J. Miller
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WHAT'S NEW AT THE INSTITUTE

*         Launch Today of New Learning Disabilities Training Program

Today, the Institute begins the first in a series of five-day training sessions to support practitioners and service providers who work with adults with Learning Disabilities or LD. Learning to Achieve<http://www.nifl.gov/nifl/news_events/LearningtoAchieve09.html>, the Institute's new LD professional development program, kicks off in Durham, New Hampshire. This summer, about 150 practitioners are expected to be trained at sites across the nation. Learning to Achieve replaces the Institute's previous LD training program known as Bridges to Practice.


*         New Staff Hires for Adult Literacy, Programs and Technology

The Institute selected Vanita Rhodes, Ph.D.<http://www.nifl.gov/nifl/news_events/Welcome07-13-09.html> to serve as its Senior Program Officer for Adult Literacy. Rhodes earned her doctorate degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Virginia with a background in literacy development, reading disabilities, and reading motivation.  She has worked at two National Institute for Child Health & Human Development sites: the Kennedy Krieger Institute and the Yale Center for Learning Attention.   Dr. Rhodes has also served as the Research Scientist for the National Reading Panel.  She will be a valuable resource in providing research-based information about literacy across the lifespan to practitioners, researchers, and the public.  Dr. Rhodes and her husband recently announced the birth of their second child.  She will be joining the Institute staff in the coming months.



Patricia Bennett<http://www.nifl.gov/nifl/news_events/welcome05-26-09.html> joined the Institute on July 1, 2009, and serves as Associate Director of Programs. In her new position, Ms. Bennett will oversee the entire portfolio of Institute investments and national activities. Since 1999, she has served as the State Director of Adult Education & Literacy Services at the Maryland State Department of Education. Ms. Bennett has held other positions related to adult education and literacy with the Maryland State Department of Education since 1989 and with vocational rehabilitation at the Maryland Rehabilitation Center in Baltimore from 1970-1989.  Ms. Bennett has been active in many national and state organizations, including the National Coalition for Literacy, the National Council of State Directors of Adult Education, and the Maryland Even Start and Head Start Advisory Association.


On May 11, 2009, Noreen Lopez<http://www.nifl.gov/nifl/news_events/welcome_noreen.html>, became the Institute's Senior Program Officer for Technology. Ms. Lopez has a broad literacy background, serving as an adult education instructor, policy expert, and administrator. From 1987-1994 she served as the State Director of Adult Education in Illinois. In 1997 Ms. Lopez accepted an appointment as the Director of LiteracyLink at Public Broadcasting Service. She is extremely knowledgeable of adult literacy and basic skills online service delivery systems and will be working on issues related to distance learning and the use of technology in education at the Institute. Ms. Lopez will serve as the Institute's primary contact person for its Literacy Information and Communications System (LINCS). LINCS is the Institute's communication and dissemination system.

*         A Re-Designed Web Site for the Institute - Coming this Month!



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