News Releases
Government Home Search Sitemap Contact Us  

Executive Council
Education
October 1, 2009

Minister Presents Council of the Federation Literacy Award

Members of the adult literacy community gathered at Stella Burry Community Services in St. John�s today to honour the 2009 recipient of the Council of the Federation (COF) Literacy Award. The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education, on behalf of the Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, presented Dr. Marc Glassman with this year�s award which celebrates outstanding achievement, innovative practice and excellence in literacy.

�I extend my sincere congratulations to Dr. Glassman,� said Premier Williams. �For more than 30 years, Dr. Glassman has been a staunch supporter of literacy development in our province. Whether inspiring university students in the classroom, or leading community-based initiatives, his dedication and belief in the importance of literacy has been an inspiration to those around him. His contribution to improving literacy skills is invaluable.�

Dr. Glassman is a member of the Faculty of Education at Memorial University and an instructor in the area of literacy education. He has undertaken a number of special initiatives in the community that have helped a diverse group of children, parents, and adults with low literacy overcome barriers to language and literacy development. Dr. Glassman has provided professional support to teachers in the K-12 system, and to instructors and volunteers in adult literacy programs throughout the province. He has been a pioneer in the area of applying technology to the development of literacy in Newfoundland and Labrador, and continues to be innovative and creative in advocating for literacy.

�It is a privilege for me to have this opportunity to present Dr. Glassman with the 2009 COF Literacy Award,� said Minister King. �Improving literacy levels will be achieved through the combined efforts of volunteers like Dr. Glassman, community-based organizations, the education system and government. Increased literacy levels lead to personal growth, as well as the growth of communities.�

Earlier this month, ministers of education and training for the Atlantic provinces came together in Newfoundland and Labrador to launch a regional literacy action plan. Literacy: Key to Learning and Path to Prosperity � An Action Plan for Atlantic Canada 2009-2014 is intended to improve literacy rates. It will support and complement ongoing work on the development of a strategic adult literacy plan for Newfoundland and Labrador.

Since 2004, the Provincial Government has invested more than $31 million to support literacy programming.

- 30 -

Photo: The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education, presents Dr. Marc Glassman with the Council of the Federation medallion. Minister King and Dr. Glassman are joined by Dr. David Dibbon, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Education, Memorial University, who nominated Dr. Glassman for the COF award.

Media contacts:

Elizabeth Matthews
Director of Communications
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca
 
Andrea Nolan
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
709-729-4304, 727-0991
andreanolan@gov.nl.ca
Jacquelyn Howard
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 689-2624
jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca
 

2009 10 01                                                    10:15 a.m.
 


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement