By Mel Rubenstein
Contributing Writer
The previous 48 people who have been featured as the “Volunteer of the Month” in this column are from Central New York, and some came from distant places before locating here, in the distribution area of the Eagle Bulletin. But, I will venture to say that this “Volunteer of the Month” has traveled the furthest to get here. Magdeleine Wellner was born in Belgium and moved 3,900 miles to Syracuse to be with her husband, Marcel, a Physics professor at Syracuse University.
While in Belgium Wellner attended Louvain University and worked as a lab assistant. After arriving in the U.S. the first thing Wellner had to do was learn the English language. In Belgium there are two national languages, Flemish (Dutch) and French. She spoke Flemish and French, but had no understanding of English.
After taking courses at Syracuse University she received a BA degree from Excelsior College. Magdeleine Wellner began a career in teaching languages from pre-school to high school. During that time Magdeleine learned about the Dolly Parton teaching programs. As a child, Dolly Parton learned how to read the bible from her grandmother. She never forgot what learning to read meant to her. Taking advantage of her successful career as a performer, Parton formed the Dollywood Foundation which provides books to young children to enhance their literacy. This struck a chord with Magdeleine Wellner, so when she retired she wanted to continue to teach literacy through The Newland Center.
The Newland Center was founded by Phyllis Newland, who spent her career developing and implementing user-friendly adult learning programs.
The center is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing free literacy instruction for Syracuse adults and older youths. It is located in the Syracuse East Side, within walking distance for many of its current and prospective students. The center provides volunteer tutors to teach listening, speaking, reading and writing skills needed to solve the problems of daily life. The goal of the Center is for the students to reach the high school equivalency level, GED. Wellner became one of those volunteers in 1996.
Having spent 23 years as a teacher at the Kynda Montessori School in Syracuse, and owning the school for six years, Magdeleine decided to volunteer at the Newland Center to teach older youths and adults, most of whom were illiterate to one degree or another.
Wellner’s current students are from India. Although English is spoken in India there are many differences that must be learned. She said,“ I have been teaching these students since last September; it will take some time before they earn a GED.”
The Newland Center also has students from places like Afghanistan and Sudan, which makes the teaching process even more difficult. Magdeleine explained; “Two tricky things to the English language are the silent letters, and different meanings for the same word. The only way to teach such things is by repetition. The great advantage of the Newland Center is that the teaching is done one-to-one.”
When asked if she had any methods to overcome the illiteracy barrier, Wellner said, “Sometimes I use the old-fashioned block letters, and I illustrate with an object. For example, I would place a hat on the table and place block letters H A T next to it. Other ideas are taken from the Montessori, and Diana Russo methods. I take letters cut out of sandpaper and have the student run their fingers through them.” Wellner also uses a series of books that teach the ‘Progressive Challenge’ method of reading.”
While Magdeleine was explaining all of this I had to remember that she is a volunteer, doing a good job for many years, and that she came from Belgium. What dedication!
Linda Green, Executive Director of The Newland Center for Adult Learning and Literacy says; “If it were not for the dedication of the many men and women who tutor, answer phones, contribute financial support and work on special projects, our center would not exist. Magdeleine Wellner has been a kind and generous woman providing hours of tutoring with her wealth of knowledge which contributes to the success of our program at The Newland Center. She exemplifies both unselfish and noble actions and is worthy of the gratitude of those of us who have the privilege of working with her.” Green quotes David Thomas; “Unselfish and noble actions are the most radiant pages in the biography of souls.”
In her spare time, Magdeleine Wellner enjoys reading, beading, enameling on copper, knitting, gardening and at one time she was a bee keeper. She says, “The bees gave up before I did.” The Wellner’s live in Jamesville.
The Newland Center is located at 1443 East Genesee Street in Syracuse. If you would like to assist an adult in reading, writing or math at the Center, recommend a student, or donate, contact Linda Green at [email protected], or call 471-1446.
To recommend someone with a stellar record of volunteering to be featured in this column contact Mel Rubenstein, [email protected] or 682-7162.
