Kim Godfrey: Literacy Link Leamos

How did I end up working as a Program Director for a literacy program? It was towards the end of the covid pandemic, February of 2022, and I was seeking employment in Silver City, NM. I had graduated from Western New Mexico University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education. I found work teaching Kindergarten in Navajo, NM, and taught there for 2 years, from 2017 to 2019. I came back to my home to Silver City and was working as a substitute teacher for the schools here when the Covid-19 shutdown happened. The schools shut down, except for online learning. When they reopened, I began subbing again, still looking for other work. I came across an ad in the local newspaper for a Program Director position for Literacy Link – Leamos. I applied, interviewed, and was hired to start February 15, 2022. 

The non-profit world was new to me, so I had a very steep learning curve, overwhelming at times. I was grateful for the guidance of Debbie Maldonado from WNMU’s Adult Education program. She directed me to an NMHED Adult Education and Literacy Conference where I was able to make some important connections. Unfortunately, Debbie was moving to Texas to address her medical issues. She was an inspiration for me in the few short weeks I spent getting to know her. 

Literacy Link’s office space is located inside of the Silver City Public Library, which was just opening back up after the Covid shutdown. The previous Program Director was unavailable to train me, so I hit the ground running! I had help from our Board of Directors, but for the most part, I had to train myself. I researched everything I could find about literacy programming, and began writing grants. We had a few volunteer tutors to start with and gradually we began to build our volunteer and student base back up. 

I have learned, and continue to learn, so much about running our small program in Silver City, NM. It is one of the hardest, and the most rewarding, jobs that I have had in my lifetime. I never stop thinking about ways to help our community and hope to continue this work for years to come. My dream for the future of literacy in Grant County, NM is to have more volunteer tutors for one-to-one and small group tutoring programs and to build stronger community partnerships with Grant County Detention Center, Western New Mexico University, Supporting People in Need (homeless), El Refugio (domestic violence shelter), other non-profits, non-profit foundations, and area schools.

I am forever grateful to be a small part of this literacy community on a local, state and national level to better serve Grant County, NM in the best possible way when it comes to all things literacy related.