It’s been a busy fall with a lot accomplished.

We held a two-day provincial conference for practitioners with over 70 participants attending sessions. We received lots of positive feedback from the evaluations and are already brainstorming for next year to ensure a fabulous learning experience for all. It was great to see the Practitioner Training Program graduates. This brings the total up to 109 certified practitioners since we began 6 years ago (and over 1000 taking individual modules to improve their skills). For our member spotlight this month we are featuring one of these graduates, Mark Devereux from MetroWorks.

Along with the What’s Your Message workshop held at the conference, one on-line module was held in November, Integrating IT Skills into Your Teaching. We’ll offer more modules on January 8th. If you are a new practitioner, it's the perfect time to start the PT program with the introductory module Literacy Adult Learners and YOU. Many practitioners are looking for assistance with teaching low level readers; The Beginning Reader: Basics is just what you need, and features techniques by Dr. Pat Campbell, creator of CARA (Canadian Adult Reading Assessment). We are also offering a Math module which is required if you want PT certification.

We’ve held 4 writing workshops with Jenni Blackmore for 55 learners in Northern, Valley, HRM and South Western regions. We’ll be holding a draw for an ipad mini from story submissions again this year to celebrate Adult Learners' Week 2017.

We’ve given out an additional $10,000 in PGI Grants, approved $3,000 in PD Funds, used up our current supply of software licenses for Computers for Schools, and have provided funding towards the purchase of 5 ipads all in the last month!

We are especially grateful for the donations received from Claude Hamilton and the LIFE on LIFE Initiative as well as Claire Brunelle and the Lions Clubs of Nova Scotia. Donations like these allow us to continue to support learners, practitioners and their learning programs. It was wonderful to see bursary recipient Danielle DeCoff in the Port Hawkesbury newspaper. We also heard from a young man who is working hard to improve his life by getting his high school diploma. Your donations to LNS help us provide needed financial support to learners like Brandon, who is one of the 17 other applicants we were unable to support at this time.

We’re looking forward to a break for the Holidays and will be closed from December 23rd until January 3rd. We wish you peace and joy and we’ll see you in the New Year!