​​Catherine Mitch has been engaged in the adult education field for over 20 years.  Her wide range of involvement includes multiple aspects of teaching, training, advising, mentoring and advocacy.  Catherine has developed, implemented, managed and monitored programs.  She has lived and taught in several countries including USA, Indonesia, Zambia, Japan and Germany.  These experiences have built and shaped her practice.
 
As a NJALL Board Member since 2014, Catherine notably chaired the Communications Committee and aggressively guided NJALL’s social networking efforts.  She led the development of the current NJALL website (www.njall.org) and encouraged the Board to actively enhance the organization’s presence.   Catherine was also actively engaged in other Board activities including advocacy, scholarships, webinars and conferences.

​Catherine’s energetic engagement in a wide range of activities in support of lifelong learning has influenced learners, tutors, teachers and those of us who have worked with her.  Catherine is a shining example of lifelong learner leadership.

Click here to view Catherine's acceptance of this award and the powerful message conveyed.

​Dr. Randy Budros, a retired researcher and University of San Francisco professor, has some admirable qualities, not the least of which is his humanitarianism. He spends many hours as a volunteer in efforts as varied as aiding refugees from West Africa and South America at the International Rescue Committee and Catholic Charities, fighting voter suppression in Georgia, promoting racial justice and LGBTQ rights, and helping literacy students learn to speak English, find essential life resources, and assimilate into their communities. Randy sees these issues as related and always finds a way to weave his zest for civics into his literacy lessons. And his ESOL students appreciate a teaching style that often lures them away from the textbook and into real life scenarios.
 
He has helped adult ESOL students navigate their way through a global pandemic that has disproportionately affected the immigrant community. And he’s helped prepare them for employment, including one student with a medical background now working as a phlebotomist. Extremely helpful is that he never refuses new students; he accepts them into his group and puts them at ease in a place that promotes learning.

 1.  Barry Semple Lifelong Learning Leadership Award
This award is for an outstanding individual or group demonstrating responsibility, influence, courage, motivation, inspiration, direction or guidance, and has made an outstanding contribution to lifelong learning through research, program design and development, publications, effective and innovative use of funds, service to the profession, etc.
 2.  Teacher of the Year Award
This award is presented to an adult educator who has demonstrated professionalism and exemplary performance teaching adults in adult basic skills, ESOL, high school completion or developmental education classes.
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Click here to download the nomination form. 

Nominations are due by February 28, 2022. 
 
Awards will be presented in May at the NJALL conference, whether it is virtual or in person.  To read about the 2021 winners go to www.njall.org
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