Retired Teacher Loves New Career

Retired Sidney teacher Bernie Braden has found a new career and is absolutely loving it. As Coordinator for the Literacy Volunteers for Adults- Richland County, she is now tutoring adults who are determined to achieve their GED. "The neatest thing about this program is that it is all student centered, according to their needs and learning style and where they're most comfortable," she said. "There's a big difference between 1on 1 tutoring and a public school classroom. Some people just don't thrive in a classroom setting." Currently there are 8 GED students and about 9 English as a Second Language students in the LVA program. Braden tutors the GED students herself. "I'm selfish," she said laughing. "I love it and I don't want to give them up." Braden praised the work of all the volunteers with LVA and is glad to be able to help in a big way. "All the tutors have worked so hard. I have a lot of time to devote to the students." There is room for 5 to 8 more. "I enjoy working with all my students and I would love to have more," she said.

Braden feels very fortunate to have 2 Spanish speaking ladies to tutor the English as a Second Language students. Gloria Reyna teaches the basic level students while Chris Durfey tutors those who can speak English but need more skills. Braden said it was a real blessing when Durfey, who has done missionary work in South America, walked in her door. "Both ladies really care about helping the students step forward and work hard to find new ways to reach the students. I don't know what I would do without them, I don't speak Spanish!"

Students requiring tutoring in math have an excellent resource at Kahn Academy which Braden found through the website discussion board sponsored by ProLiteracy, the national organization which sponsors and certifies LVA.

Through the Kahn Academy, students are pre-tested. Then all the lessons are individually based on that pre-test. Problems are on a blackboard, followed by videos on solving the problem. Students can go all the way from 1st grade through pre-calculus. "It's very rewarding," Braden said. "You can watch as the skills are mastered and see their progress, one skill at a time." Braden finds this one on one approach takes the 'intimidation factor' out of math. The students can work at home, or at the library and Braden can monitor exactly where they're at in the program. It also eases the burden on volunteers which are hard to find in this busy community. Braden is delighted that Stockman Bank has agreed to donate a laptop to LVA which will enable students to work on Kahn Academy whenever they are in for classes. They can only work on library computers during library hours. "We don't work library hours. This is a real bonus for us," Braden said.

LVA is sponsored by ProLiteracy and works closely with The Montana Office of Public Instruction. The LVA board strictly follows the standards and rules set by those organizations. Braden finds ProLiteracy helpful with curriculum changes and with resources such as the discussion board. Working with both entities, LVA is moving away from a GED. Although students will get a diploma, LVA is not using GED materials. Instead they are joining the national movement toward Common Core and using HiSet Educational Testing services to follow Common Core more directly. Although the math may be a bit more difficult, Braden feels that the rest of the courses are much the same as before. She encourages adults to contact LVA for help getting through the course. "You need us," she emphasized. "Don't do it alone." LVA has practice tests for the students to take periodically. "I strongly suggest that people come and spend some time and get some tutoring with me," she said. "I love these students. I loved teaching in a classroom too, but this is different. I had a Kahn Academy student in here who 'got' a math concept and cried. I cried with him. It's so gratifying to help open some of those doors. It's very rewarding."

Braden was born and raised in Wibaux, Mont. She received her bachelor's degree from Dickinson State with a double major in English and Theatre. She truly appreciates the education she received in Dickinson praising it as one of the best education colleges in the nation. That education prepared her for 2 years in Rugby, N.D. followed by a career spent mostly at Sidney High School beginning in 1979. She left briefly in 1983 when her husband was transferred and spent a year teaching at a junior high school in New Mexico, an experience she treasures. She learned about Native American cultures and how students can be marginalized. "It really opened my eyes and helped me, particularly in later years, with all the changes going on in Sidney. It made it easier for me to understand the changes that these kids are going through." Braden came back to Sidney in 1985 and retired from Communication Arts 10 in 2013. During the early years, she also directed plays and was a speech and drama coach.

Braden brings all those years of experience with her to LVA. "I want to bring this program back to the thriving program it was under Sue Zimmerman," she stated. Anyone interested in enriching their lives through the LVA program is encouraged to call Braden at 406 480-1971.