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.
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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:
2009 10 01
10:15 a.m.
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