We’re honored to feature this guest post from Cathay Reta, a lifelong leader in adult literacy and longtime friend of America Learns whose new book, Reflections on Adult Literacy: Nineteen Stories to Inspire, Challenge, and Give You Something to Think About, distills four decades of wisdom from the field.
In her book, Cathay doesn’t just share four decades of experience—she invites us to rethink how we see the people at the heart of literacy work. Her stories show that this field isn’t about “fixing” anyone. It’s about uncovering potential that’s already there, about walking beside people as they discover their own strength.
Each essay carries wisdom that reaches far beyond the world of literacy. It’s about leadership, listening, and seeing people exactly as they are. If you care about education, community, or simply being a more compassionate human, this book will move you.
I became a volunteer adult literacy tutor almost forty-one years ago. Like many volunteers, I was interested in helping to improve someone’s life. I didn’t realize at the time that the experience would also improve my life… that it would enrich my thinking, give me a greater appreciation for people, deepen my understanding of relationships, and that it would develop in me a sense community.
As I worked on my book, Reflections on Adult Literacy, I became more aware of what a gift adult literacy is—and not just for the adult learners in our programs. Volunteer tutors and paid staff also find their lives made better because of their involvement. It’s often where we find our voice, and our purpose in life. We learn gratitude and hope. Our interactions have given me a lot to think (and to write) about.
For instance, empowerment. I’ve come to realize that I can’t empower anyone. Power has to come from within a person. People need to have experiences that convince them they are capable, they have power. They need to know the feeling of success. I can’t give them that, but I can provide the encouragement and opportunities which allow power to surface within them. I can stand in awe and applaud them as they step into their authenticity sense of self.
My own experience bears that out. When I was new and knew little, someone saw potential in me and hired me into a position of leadership. She surrounded me with opportunities and encouragement, and I grew into the position. I experienced success, and that empowered me to own it. Then I turned around and did the same for someone else. That’s how this works. We’re all in it together: learning, growing, encouraging, inspiring, being part of community. We all benefit in ways never anticipated.
My hope for Reflections on Adult Literacy, is that readers will take a moment to reflect on the themes I wrote about, applying them to their work and their lives—be it with literacy or some other passion. I hope they will take a moment to honor the people and experiences that have set them on their paths. I hope they will realize that even as they focus on helping others, it’s perhaps their own lives that have received the most benefit. I hope they’re inspired by their own accomplishments; and then challenged to reach further because . . . in words from the America Learns website . . . what really matters is: leading, inspiring, and making our world a brighter place. We need the special gift that each person brings to that focus.