TL&LC Celebrates Successes and New Beginnings!
The Rotary Club of Highlands recently welcomed Bonnie Potts, Executive Director of The Literacy & Learning Center, as a guest speaker.
New Pre-K Program Begins Soon!
The presentation focused on two exciting developments at TL&LC. First, the highly anticipated Pre-K program is starting this fall! The organization is thrilled to have Carolyn Middlebrooks, a seasoned early childhood educator with 30 years of experience, leading the program as Pre-K Director. Many parents in the community already know Carolyn from her popular "Tinker Time for Tots" program at The Literacy & Learning Center, which provided valuable learning tips for parents and preschoolers.
Shining a Light on Student Achievements
Bonnie also took a moment to celebrate some inspiring student success stories. TL&LC serves over 1,000 Macon County children through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program, ensuring each child receives a free book every month until they turn five.
The After-School Program recognized two outstanding students this year: Cristobal, who made incredible strides in reading and saw his grades soar, and Jamie, who overcame significant challenges to reach grade level.
The individual tutoring program also fostered impressive results. Aiden, with TL&LC's guidance, transformed his D/D+ average in math into straight A's! Another impactful story came from a recent graduate of the self-paced GED prep course, who credited the program with allowing him to secure his current job.
Beyond core education, TL&LC empowers adults in other ways. A recent construction worker who struggled with reading, despite graduating high school, received literacy tutoring and can now read confidently. He is actively preparing to pursue construction management at South Western Community College!
TL&LC: Investing in Our Community
The presentation concluded with a reminder of North Carolina's ranking: 50th in overall school funding and 48th in rural funding. Thankfully, Highlands stands out as a generous community that helps TL&LC bridge the gap and provide vital services.