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After-hours classes build literacy By Vicki Guarino ASHLAND � A small manufacturer is building a new model for furthering literacy in Jackson County. One night a week, workers become students and owners and managers at family-run Cropper Medical become teachers. Everyone stays late for English class. The all-volunteer program, with modest support from the Literacy Council of Jackson County, began in the spring. Literacy Council members say the setup is a new kind of effort for council volunteers, who ordinarily specialize in one-on-one tutoring in English speaking, reading and writing. Council member Loren Prior, of Central Point, says the Ashland class reflects what he senses is a growing interest among employers for worker training. Bear Creek Corp., for instance, is working with the Literacy Council and Rogue Community College to develop classes for 35-40 orchard supervisors. Proposed plans have the company paying workers for their time, RCC supplying teachers and the council supplying tutors, says Liz Bestor, one of the coordinators and a Literacy Council member. For Mary Anne Cropper, also a Literacy Council member, the program at Cropper Medical grew out of her interest in furthering literacy in general and a growing desire to be able to communicate with her employees in a meaningful way. "We would smile and wave,�� Cropper says, "But there were these people with whom I couldn�t connect. There were too many wonderful people in this world with whom I couldn�t communicate.�� After hearing her son, Taylor, talk about tutoring Hispanics during his freshman year at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, the idea for classes at Cropper started coming together. When Taylor came home for summer break, the family put him to work. Cropper makes orthopedic devices, including knee and ankle braces. It employs 25-30 people. Before language school started, owner Dean Cropper, speaking through one of Cropper�s bilingual employees, carefully explained that class attendance would be entirely optional. No one had to go; no one who attended would receive preferential job treatment as a result. Mary Anne Cropper said she didn�t know what to expect. She thought perhaps response would be small, figuring that with other opportunities in the area to learn English, those who wanted to learn already had done so. Turned out she underestimated the interest. Many of the volunteer students are young mothers who have to spend extra on baby sitters to stay late for the class. "I was surprised at how eager they were,�� Cropper says. Mother and son work together with a class of six to eight students. Workbooks and teaching aids were provided by the Literacy Council. Council officials were so interested in the program�s success they�ve offered to assign volunteers to Cropper if necessary. Cropper says the classes have created a camaraderie in the workplace, slowly improving communications as they lift morale among employees. "They get a real kick out of my feeble attempts to speak Spanish," she says. Laughing at the boss� wife seems to give employees the self-confidence to practice English, she adds. An English-speaking supervisor, who initially was hesitant about the program, has become an enthusiastic supporter. "What has happened is, everyone is more willing to try,�� Cropper says. "I think in the long term there will be benefit for the company.�� The nonprofit, all-volunteer Literacy Council teaches English to any adult, regardless of native language. Years ago, clients were mostly illiterate English speakers, who got through school without ever learning to read or write, says Prior. Lately, Hispanic adults have comprised a growing share of the client base. But some 75 volunteers also are working with Armenians, Cambodians and Chinese, "anybody who needs the help," says Prior. The council also sponsors a community-based English class in Talent, and will start one or two classes in west Medford in the fall. To contact the Literacy Council, call 245-8699. Obituaries | Sports | Business | Classifieds | Tempo | Prime Times | So Oregon Sites | Outdoor Journal | Subscribe | Contact | Movies | Advertise | Real Estate Showcase | Archive | Editorials | Letters to the editor | Religion | Wake-up Call | NIE | Cyber Chef | Job Network | So Oregon Weather | WSJ Northwest | Forums | AP Wire | AP Money | F.A.Q. | Awards Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. The Community Newspaper Subsidiary of Dow Jones & Co, Inc Copyright �The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA