Meet John and Andrew
At our 2022 Learner & Tutor Banquet we had the privilege of recognizing an Adult Basic Education learner and tutor match that excelled at achieving their goals: learner John Faust and his tutor Andrew Giacobone. Andrew and John have been working together for six months during which time they’ve built an effective and inspiring learning partnership.
Unfortunately neither Andrew nor John could attend the Banquet in person, but we wanted to get to know each a little more. We asked them about themselves, how and why they found NALC, and what they’d like to share with others. We hope you enjoy learning about this special pair as much as we’ve enjoyed getting to know them!
If you are interested in improving your literacy skills, like John, or becoming a volunteer tutor, like Andrew, please reach out!
John Faust (left) and Andrew Giacobone (right).
Meet John Faust
What’s your background?
I have lived in Nashville all my life. I’ve mostly lived here in Bellevue. I graduated from Nashville Christian High School.
I feel like now I value education a lot more than I did then. I didn’t really know how important everything was. It wasn’t that I wasn’t going to use the information, but I guess I just didn’t see how useful it could be. I guess I didn’t have a clue where I was going in life. I think that is a big part of when you are in high school, you just don’t know what your career path is going to be. Once you kind of get that idea of what you want to do then I feel like everything else, like the stuff you don’t want to do, kind of makes sense to do it.
I originally wanted to join the fire department, but I wasn’t able to pass the board exam for the EMT test. Then I decided that I still wanted to be in the medical field, didn’t want to give it up after learning all that knowledge. So, I went to medical assistant school thinking that would be something better. When the pandemic started, I was trying to find a job and I decided to try being a CNA or Patient Care Tech just to expand my horizons and give me more chances. During the pandemic, I was looking for a job. I went on many job interviews, including one at Skyline Medical which I felt was the worst interview I had ever went on. I was not confident. I was scared. It was getting to that point where I really needed a job and I was getting desperate. The next day, the manager from Skyline called me and said “you don’t have a lot of experience, but I want you. You seem to be a better candidate than a lot of the rest of them.” And I thought, alright let’s take it. Funny how it worked out. I think they were doubting me because of my lack of experience, but I did very well. After 6 months they started letting me train people and I felt I was on a fast track after that. At my one-year mark, they offered me a lead position and it kind of seemed like I just blew up from there. I started floating to other floors and I got positive feedback about my performance.
How did you find out about NALC?
I was seeing my neurofeedback therapist and she has a friend that is a speech pathologist that knew about NALC and she recommended you all. I have dyslexia and central processing. Basically, her line of thinking was we wanted to find ways to boost my reading ability and I think I have done that.
What is something that your tutor has done that has really helped you?
I have had two tutors since I started with NALC, Ashley and Andrew, and they have both been very good. It seems like they are willing to try anything. Their willingness to learn themselves in order to help me be the best I can. I love that they are very patient with me. I feel bad about Ashley, because when I first came here I kind of told her some of my background story and I was still kind of bitter about my EMT program. I started feeling bad because I didn’t want her to think that I am a hateful person, but it was a frustrating situation. The people running the EMT program had a military style approach and they gave me the impression that they just didn’t care and they treated me like I didn’t deserve it. I learned from my speech pathologist that your emotions can affect your ability to learn. I wondered if that is what they were doing, because I felt bullied at times. I believe I would have been very good employee for the fire department, if they could just see me now.
What do like most about NALC?
I like that you all are not so overwhelming. I have had some programs where it seemed like they just put so much on you and give you so much daily work. Here I feel like there is a lot more flexibility. We all have jobs and we all have lives and that’s one thing I have noticed is the schools, like especially at the college level, they do not accommodate that at all. Everybody has got to have some kind of job to keep going or help themselves stay afloat. I don’t understand how they don’t understand that college students don’t really make much money. Even when you get out, you don’t necessarily make the greatest money either. Its not really until you get some experience that you really start making money.
What advice do you have for other adult learners?
I would just tell them to mainly do the work and make sure to stick with it. I understand it can be kind of overwhelming and some weeks are going to be easier than others and you might not be able to fit it in some weeks or you might not be as motivated. Take a break when you need one, but you just can’t give up. I think some people get intimidated by this type of learning. They think “I already know how to read,” but then you start seeing that you are not good in this area or that area and it can really get you down.
How do you make time for homework?
I think it is a little easier for me, because I work three 12 hour shifts during the week so I have some extra days off to do it. I also work as a sitter for certain patients sometimes, so when I am sitting there I can work on homework too. Some days I am not as motivated, so I try to study on the days I feel more energy or after I have had some rest. I feel like my reading is getting better. My stamina is getting better. Once your stamina starts getting better, it is easier to start telling yourself, okay I can do this. It seems like before if I had to read 9 pages in a chapter it would take me two hours (or at least it felt that way) and now I can do this in under an hour. So now I am timing myself and realizing that things aren’t taking as long as they used to.
Meet Andrew Giacobone
What’s your background?
Originally from Detroit, MI. Degree in Mechanical Engineering from General Motors Institute in Flint, MI. Married and moved to Nashville in 2007 with Bose Automotive as a sound system supplier for Nissan. Retired in 2012. Currently have two dogs and live in Green Hills. I volunteer with the Nashville Symphony, Nashville Zoo and Lane Motor Museum. I have some fluency in German.
What drew you to volunteer with NALC?
I love learning and languages, with a curiosity for etymology (not to be confused with entomology). I never tutored before finding this program, but have long wondered whether I had the patience for it. If I can share my knowledge/enthusiasm with students who have a desire to read/write/speak English better, then I want to help.
What is something that you have learned in your work as a volunteer tutor?
It’s all about the student! They must have a desire to improve or it won’t work. I’m in the passenger seat, providing navigation directions while they drive to their destination.
What do you like most about NALC?
I am most gratified in seeing the progress that my student has made in such a short time. I also appreciate the resources that NALC provides to help me become a better tutor. It is like I am learning English again myself.
What advice do you have for other volunteer tutors and potential volunteers?
Reinforce the basics of spelling, pronunciation and grammar. Be patient and encouraging. Don’t be afraid to mix up the book lessons with games and pop quizzes, to stave off ennui. Let your enthusiasm be contagious!