Jane replacing Jan as Field Services Coordinator
(BC Interior)

Jane Fitschen

Jane Fitschen is taking over duties as Field Services Coordinator for the BC Interior. Jane replaces Jan Seedhouse, who’s left the position to devote more time to her family and her craft (Jan is an accomplished weaver).

Jane first became involved with Laubach Literacy three and half years ago after moving to Kamloops area from Vancouver. She has been a tutor, a tutor trainer, and she served two years as secretary/ treasurer for Laubach Literacy of British Columbia.

Jane worked for the Royal Bank after starting her family. She says that she has always enjoyed learning and taking classes. However, being the daughter of two teachers, Jane says that expectations were high to get good marks.

While in Vancouver she started part-time classes at Vancouver Community College and BCIT, and finally a degree in anthropology after her children grew up. Jane says that she looks forward to going back to university to get “two more degrees” when she retires.

Meanwhile, we’re glad to benefit from Jane’s commitment to Laubach Literacy and love of learning. As Field Services Coordinator, Jane’s responsibilities include several Laubach Councils in the BC Interior. She also has training and development responsibilities for Laubach Literacy of Canada and support for Laubach Literacy of British Columbia.

Spring Conference 2003

Vancouver will be the venue for LLBC Spring Conference 2003, our fourth annual conference. The venue and specific dates will be firmed up by January, but we expect the three-day conference will be held in downtown Vancouver in early April 2003, likely April 3-7, 2003.

Do you have ideas for workshops? Please let us know. At this point we’re planning a Screening for Success workshop. Also, there is likely to be an ESL workshop and a workshop on family literacy.

Vancouver Council’s Tutor Coordinator

Elyse Therrien is the new studenttutor coordinator for the Vancouver Council. In this part-time position Elyse will be serving tutors from Vancouver, Burnaby and North Vancouver. She is also responsible for interviewing and assessing students and promoting the work of the Laubach Vancouver Council.

Elyse, a mother of two, works from her home as a translator and editor. Before moving to North Vancouver, she lived in Montreal (her home) and Toronto. She has graduate degrees in library science and in business administration — training she put to use as a librarian at head offices of Domtar Ltd. and Alcan Ltd. in Montreal. Elyse also worked in the field of economic development for the Montreal Urban Community. She lived in France for two years, and is fluent in English, French and Spanish.

Vancouver tutors are invited to telephone Elyse at (604)983-6967 or e-mail her at elysetherrien@hotmail.com