March 12, 2005

Learning to Read

On Friday's bus ride home I met a 50 year old guy who is illiterate... and to be quite honest I feel strange writing about him. His step-daughter was learning how to read, so he wanted to stay one step ahead of her. I give him the courage award for going back to school after a 35+ year break (and even more props for currently using a Windows 3.1 machine.... this guy has a lot of balls even if he doesn't look like Lisa Loeb). He kept asking me what I did at the University and I tried to explain my very complicated job supporting the department's computer infrastructure.... a daunting task that not even my co-worker has been able to grasp after working closely with me for 8 months... but the more I tried to explain, the more insistent he got asking how many students I teach. Finally, I agreed that I am a teacher just so he could continue his story about not reading. End of class.

Posted by hans1995 at March 12, 2005 11:39 PM
Comments

Illiterate people have a special place in my heart especially illiterate people who can't speak english...the stories I could tell you and the stories I have acted out in trying to explain American life in one word sentences. LIfe is never dull with this group of people.

Posted by: Lara Frey at March 15, 2005 3:29 PM

Your job sounds impossibly complicated. If only they ran Windows 2000 at the U. Life would be so much simpler.

Posted by: underblog at March 16, 2005 9:36 AM

I think you rank with the best educators, even if you make up the "answers." And what is up with that Lisa Loeb Link?

Posted by: Eric at March 18, 2005 7:04 AM