On 5/9/2010: Mrs. Nashwa Taher (
nashwataherprivate@hotmail.com)
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More so, we are ready to facilitate and fund any business that is
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Email: nashwataherprivate@hotmail.com
On 4/9/2010: Jeff (
jefft551@gmail.com)
Nice work!
On 13/7/2010: Jenny Horsman (
jenny@jennyhorsman.com)
Many apologies that this website is so out of date. I no longer
have any technical support to revise or update it. I'm looking
for funding to be able to carry out a complete revamp of this site.
In the meantime you can find most of my recent thinking at
www.learningandviolence.net - if you are looking for my latest
publications send me a note and I will let you know what I have
been writing and where you can find it.
Hopefully some day soon I will get a windfall of money, time,
and/or support and be able to create something new to tell you
more about the full range of my work.
Do please check back or contact me by email. Warmly, jenny
On 31/5/2010: capoo (
MUGUCAP@YAHOO.COM)
I LOVE YOUR WORK
On 18/3/2010: Jenny Horsman (
jenny@jennyhorsman.com)
Hi Elsa and everyone else reading this bulletin board.
That's such an important point that you raised below Elsa that i
wanted to post a comment here as well as sending you a note
personally.
Yes I think many of us - even as a literacy student i knew would
say, those of us with "big papers," experience many of the
impacts of violence on our learning. I know myself I can slide
very quickly to feeling stupid and unable to learn in the wrong
conditions. I firmly believe that it is not just adult literacy
programs that need to address the impacts of violence on
learning, but rather that all educational programs from early
years to seniors from basic literacy to graduate school should
all organize programs and teach with a recognition that violence
will have affected the learning of many in each group or class -
and support that learning.
There are many things that both teachers and students can do to
make a difference - and programs themselves need to be designed
with this recognition too because ordinary practices of schools,
colleges and community programs can block learning for survivors
of violence.
I don't have space to write about all the things we can all do
that will make a difference here so I want to send you to
www.learningandviolence.net - there is so much useful information
there. Educators should particularly look at the section "Helping
Others Learn" and when we are thinking about ourselves as
students trying to learn anything at any level there are some
helpful hints in "Helping Myself Learn."
I'm involved in a big project now where we are creating a series
of new interactive tools - two will help community colleges a
community-based adult education programs to examine their
everyday practices which get in the way of learning and look at
"solutions" that can be more effective. One will be aimed
directly at literacy and essential skills students and explore
the impacts and ways they can support themselves to learn.
Finally their will be a training for literacy and essential
skills teachers across the country. All these tools will be up on
www.learningandviolence.net when they are complete. So check
there often!! Next someone needs to get funding to look at how to
improve schools.....
Is there anyone out there?????
On 22/12/2009: Jo Cryderman (
jocryderman@hotmail.com)
Hello!
I have had a very difficult time trying to re-register with your
forum...and I can;t seem to resolve the problem!
On 16/12/2009: Merle (
saintmerkin99@aol.com)
Nice website, thanks for sharing! saintmerkin99@aol.com
On 21/9/2009: Jenny Horsman (
jenny@jennyhorsman.com)
Hi you asked about the main qualities as a good teacher - this
list is perhaps a little broader than that - but touches on what
i think is vital for educators/educational institutions to do to
support learning in a context of violence:
How to address the impacts of violence on learning....
Acknowledge that violence is widespread – normalize, but don’t
condone violence. Provide resources to help people make changes
if they choose.
Name the impact of violence on learning/memory/change – break
silence as an organization with NO pressure on students/clients
to disclose. Normalize these impacts!
Develop curiosity about behaviours (avoid judging) – how might
they have helped with survival? What might be their effect now?
What might support change where needed now?
Create safer learning environments – free of judgement,
shaming, echoes of violence – amongst students, between students
and teachers, and even directed inwards. Intervene to stop all
forms of violence in the learning setting however subtle.
Create conditions to support learning – feed emotions, spirit,
body and mind.
Create connections – build trust, create community, connect to
counselling, creative and self-care resources for self and students
Create curriculum – to support bringing the whole self to
learning and to acknowledge the presence of violence and its
impact in many of our lives.
On 6/9/2009: sreelekha nair (
sreelekha.nair@yahoo.in)
As a good teacher,what are the main qualiies?
On 3/9/2009: maga (
mugu.maga419@hotmail.com)
VERY GOOD SITE I LOVE IT SO MUCH
On 31/8/2009: onygbu uwa (
mumumaga@mag2.ca)
I love thios site ooooooooooooo thanks
On 4/4/2009: Jenny Horsman (
website@jennyhorsman.com)
Hi All,
Great to see several of you here from South Africa. It was an
amazing experience for me to travel in your country in March -
and meet so many wonderful folks.
I look forward to hearing a lot more about the work you are all
doing. I'm delighted to be reminded about Brain Gym - and hope
to add some material on that approach to the
learningandviolence.net site.
I do hope you will join in discussion over there - i really
hope we can all exchange ideas about what we are trying to out
and how it's working.
Warm wishes,
jenny
On 26/3/2009: Bernadette (
BernieDuddy@gmail.com)
Hi Jenny
I had the pleasure of attending one of your seminars in Cape
Town, South Africa. It was eye opening for me. When you hear of
the word violence you only think of physical or mental. But
listening and engaging with others around me and listening to
what was being said really opened my mind to realising that there
are so many forms of violence. So many people (mostly women) stay
in abusive relationships and their children are exposed and so
the cycle continues. Stemming from this is the huge substance
abuse problems we have in our society. We have to assist to break
that cycle by educating and helping where we can. Thank you for
the insight and shaping my mind and helping me to understand.
Your website is wonderful source of information. Best wishes
Bernie Duddy
On 24/2/2009: sylvia hammond (
shammond@iafrica.com)
Your website is a treasure trove. I intend to return regularly.
On 14/2/2009: Eloise Day (
day@kingsley.co.za)
Hello Jenny
I heard you speaking on Soli's show this week and called in.
Had a look at the websites and the work being done - a big
thank you from all the people who have not yet found their
voices.
Was/is involved with Project Brain Gym that was very close to
my heart - circumstance and finances halted the flow to the
disadvantaged schools. Would like to continue and improve the
process soon.
Take care and good wishes
Eloise Day
On 30/1/2009: Hugo Kerr (
hkerr@aol.com)
I am a tutor & researcer in adult literacy and can report that
my view is that "affect" is extremely important but often almost
completely overlooked as a prime cause of learning difficulties.
This strong effect occurs well below the more ectreme trauma
some of the other contributors to this site encounter or
research. I have written an e-book which considers (among other
things) the effect of affect on literacy. It is available free
on-line from my own website at hugokerr.info. I welcome comment
and correspondence if anyone has any.
On 15/1/2009: Melanie Schutte (
melanie@futureperformance.co.za)
Dear Jenny
It is now interresting that I should read about your work at
this point in time. Due to the fact that the past year I have
been trying to get a project up and running where we provide
free training to woman in need. I too have walked the path of
these woman... and have been able to get myself out en get
myself educated (it was not easy) but due to perseverance I was
able to push through. I then started this training company. I
have tried to get funding but it seems that no-one is
interrested so I thought that through my projects and hard work
there will come a point where I will be able to fund it
myself. The Idea I have is to help woman in need, be it..
abused woman or young woman who come out of abused homes or
poor circumstances... obtain free training... free career
guidance... free psychological help and free empowerment.
These woman, through this programme will gain the power to
choose their path... (as you might know it is difficult to get
out of what all it is you know.... but if you have the power to
choose it becomes a different story).. out of experience, woman
who gain control back of their life... usually the abusive
husband changes also... the court today does not assist abusive
woman... be it divorce or getting out... as they do not care if
the family is able to make a living... this is where we come
in.. after/while the person studies we look for work.. be it
community projects that we start... or companies busy with
community projects or huge companies.. these woman get to start
working as soon as possible.. (like a placement company, only
the percentage that the placement company usually takes for
profit we use to empower and develop the next lot of woman.
Should there be woman who become so empowered that they are
able to start their own business... we will assist them in
receiving the necessary funding... I really think that this is
an excellent idea... I just wish that others would see it like
I do. You are welcome to contact me at 0842541066 or email me
at melanie@futureperformance.co.za should you have any leads or
have any ideas for me. Thanks for taking the time.
On 2/11/2008: Sister Charlotte Windsor (
sistercharlottewindsor@yahoo.com)
keep up the great work.
On 16/8/2008: Monty (
montyburns8@gmail.com)
great work!
On 18/6/2008: MGBADA (
ewutogo@yahoo.com)
i like every thing i see
On 10/6/2008: Ken R. (
robent@west.net)
Love the layout. Love the comments on the board.
On 15/5/2008: Frank (
fmercer1971@gmail.com)
I absolutely love how you used the image of the Nautilus!
Brilliant representation.
On 4/5/2008: Julia (
corrolochica28@gmail.com)
Hi, interesting website. :)
On 31/3/2008: Hans (
hans@breakthru.com)
Nice homepage!
On 17/2/2008: Adam Smith (
adam.henry.smith@googlemail.com)
Yay! I love it!
On 1/2/2008: Jenny Horsman (
jenny@jennyhorsman.com)
Hi All, and particularly Holly and Nancy,
Great to hear from you both - though I am sorry to say if junk
keeps appearing on this bulletin board we may have to
discontinue it - and in the last couple of days I see new junk
has arrived - in spite of all the wonderful work of the
technical folks at the National Adult Literacy Database where
this site is housed.
I'm so glad that you two found this site - and do want to
remind you both that i am always trying to build the
www.learningandviolence.net site so if/when you write your work
up I would love to see it as possible additions to that site.
Note also that site has a spot "where in the world" to include
all the practitioners and researchers working on this issue -
it would be great to add you there....
Holly i found your musing about language very interesting -
makes a lot of sense. I look forward to reading more,
jenny
On 8/1/2008: Nancy (
springtimes@softhome.net)
Oh Wow!!! What an amazing web site..........what took so long
for someone to connect the two possibilities between trauma and
domestic violence to surface when it comes to learning?
You are amazing and I highly commend you for your work! I am a
survivor of domestic violence and am continually reading and
researching different programs and articles on this topic.
On 5/1/2008: Holly Wells (
hmwells@kent.edu)
I feel so fortunate to have found your work. My focus is not
primarily on literacy studies (though I have to jump that hoop to
get my PhD at Kent), but rather on discourse analysis and in
particular metaphor. I am concerned that the metaphors abusive
couples use to describe violent events and themselves/each other
have become so much a part of our thinking that we may be moving
toward acceptance of them as reality, KWIM? For instance, we tend
to talk about abusive men as containers full of liquid ready to
boil or explode, which we have traditionally argued is just a way
for men to deny responsibility or agency in violent acts. But I
have anecdotal evidence (and will have more than that,
eventually) that we no longer make a mental break between the
metaphor and the reality--so instead of a man thinking to
himself, "I'll just present myself as a bomb waiting to explode,
and then they can't hold me responsible," he may have come to
believe he really *is* like that, that he really *doesn't* have
control, that abuse is *not* a decision but rather an inevitable
consequence of the buildup of "tension" or "anger" or whatever
combustible substance fills up the containers.
I have read just a couple of your articles so far, so I'm looking
forward to seeing what you have to say about what kinds of
education really help women break the cycle of violence. The
stuff I've been reading so far paints a pretty bleak picture,
with increased education resulting in increased victimization for
many women. The very thing that everyone says will "save us" from
our abusive relationships ends up inciting more anger and violence.
As a side note, not only am I a beginning researcher in the
field, but I am also a survivor myself. Thank you for making this
wonderful resource available to me from my home in the boonies!
It sure beats a 40-mile drive to the library!
On 23/5/2007: Nellie Sheppard (
nellie.sheppard@sheridanc.on.ca)
Good afternoon Jenny,
I am very interested in the work you have done.I am a Social
Worker with roots in Popular Education from Central
Neighbourhood House dating back to 1990.Wow ,I'm aging too.
I'd love to have a conversation with you about future
exploration.
Talk to you when you have time,
Nellie Sheppard
On 1/5/2007: Margaret Harriman (
maggiebim@yahoo.com)
Thanks for your support, Jenny.
On 12/4/2007: Jenny Horsman (
feedback@jennyhorsman.com)
Great to hear from you Margaret - i'm looking forward to that
two day workshop in New Brunswick - i've been doing a lot of
workshops and presentations recently and am in the process of
completing a tiny resaerch study on the impact of my workshops -
between it all it's leading me to develop some new thinking and
explore new ways to draw literacy practitioners in to taking
this on. I'm increasingly focussing more on an acknowledgement
that violence has been present in many of "our" lives - those
who teach - not just in the students - and it shapes how we
teach and learn too. I look forward to working with you next
week!
On 11/4/2007: Margaret Harriman (
maggiebim@yahoo.com)
I am attending your workshop in Fredericton, New Brunswick,
Canada on Aporil 19, 20th. I look forward to this workshop as I
teach adults basic upgrading and GED Preparation.
I brought 5 children up on my own after leaving an abusive and
sometimes violent relationship, and only then did I go on to get
my own education. Today I recognize myself again on many
occassions when the 'silent learners' come to my class,
struggling to exchange abuse for academics.
As yet, we have recieved no agenda for the workshop next week.
If one is readily available, could you please forward it to me
at maggiebim@yahoo.com.
Looking forward to meeting you.
Margaret
On 11/12/2006: Richard Nacamuli (
richard.nacamuli@yahoo.com)
Great site! I really enjoyed it.
On 30/11/2006: Adele Belanger (
lbelange@connect.carleton.ca)
Hello!
Your site was very useful to me as I was reasearching a paper
on the impact of violence towards women and literacy. You have
done some really amzing work.
Thank you!
On 16/11/2006: Cialis (
dfshg@fdh.com)
Very nice site. Please keep updating it. Your site is exactly
the kind of sites which make the net surfing so intresting.
On 30/10/2006: Pablo (
pablosh9@yahoo. com)
Teaching young children is a good way to instill
self
confidence in them from an early age. Good job!
On 4/10/2006: Jenny Horsman (
feedback@jennyhorsman.com)
Just want to thank you all for posting here - In the past I
have tried to respond to messages individually, but some
slipped through the cracks at busy times as I do this work
around the edges of projects. If you didn't hear from me please
feel free to email me at feedback@jennyhorsman.com - sometimes
I hit overload or overwhelm and then all the messages I plan to
write disappear in the fog!!
In the future I will try to add comments here. Soon I plan to
be doing more work on my new site www.learningandviolence.net -
I would love to hear of your work on learning and violence and
the materials you think should be posted there.
On 8/8/2006: Veleria Gavrilova (
ajbake@genie.co.uk)
Nice site I will recommend you to all my friends. Thank you.
On 8/8/2006: Leonid Britvin (
agilar.livvy@bosclark.freeserve.co.uk)
Nice site I will recommend you to all my friends. Thank you.
On 7/8/2006: Karina Sadova (
aleen.r@intereach.net)
Just a note to say this site is excellent!
On 3/8/2006: Edna Hoover (
ednahoover@hotmail.com)
Tried to access your "Impact of Violence" article, but the print
quality of the PDF was awful. Can you try to load it again?
On 24/7/2006: Harry (
har@har.com)
Very nice site!
On 29/4/2006: MICHELLEFROEWISS (
MCHLRUBI@AOL.COM)
I AM INTERESTED IN EMOTIONAL ABUSE.WHAT GROUP (OR CAN I START TO
WORK TOWARDS MY GRADUATE DEGREE).I WOULD AGREE TO BE THE
FACILLITATOR.IT WOULD BE LIKE MY TALK SHOW DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
THAT HAS BEEN BLENDED ON THE INTERNET.MICHELLE FROEWISS
On 8/3/2006: Dr. Eze (
eze@aol.com)
A very nice site keep it up.
Regards.
Eze.
On 24/1/2006: Dianne Palachik (
dianne@powerofwomenevents.com)
Hi Jenny - so great to see how you've continued with and grown
in this great work you do. I have passed on your name to so
many people I have met through the years who are doing literacy
and ESL work. Whether they follow through or not I have no
idea. I was searching out some other information for my
business and came across you site. What a blast from the
past! CCLOW seems such a long time ago. Keep well. Dianne
On 17/11/2005: Kalika K. Moody (
kalika@bcwc.ca)
This is amazing work! I am so inspired to know that there is
hope, for women and children but, also men. In our small
community strongly impacted by the residential school syndrome
there is much to say about levels of literacy challenges and
violence, and the shame that goes along with it. Lots of
programs for woman, who usually have a fair amount of
initiative; however, very few options for men.
Thanks for providing a valuable resource.
Kalika
On 9/7/2005: Lynda Faloon-Guay (
lynda_faloon@wrdsb.on.ca)
Hi Jenny
I am in the process of reading your book and decided to pay a
visit to your website. Your work holds a great deal of
interest for in my work as a Psychological Services consultant
at the board of education, where I deal with children and
adolescents with learning challenges. I am also working on a
degree in Adult Education through Brock University and am
hoping to develop my research proposal on the topic of how
exosure to violence impacts adult learners.
I have enjoyed reading some of the postings and the articles,
and have picked up a couple of valuable ideas.
I'm sure I will become a frequent visitor.
Lynda
On 5/5/2005: Amanda Julson (
mandy@dramaplayground.com)
I am so happy to have found this website and to see that women
are devoting their lives to these issues. I have been teaching
drama to children for seven years and I am just starting to
tutor a very close friend of mine. She was the victim of incest
at a very early age and has since dropped out of high school.
She also has dyslexia and has a lot of difficulty reading. I am
just beginning to seek out resources to help me in tutoring
her. I really feel that the violence she was subjected to as a
child has had a severe impact on her education. She is "too
scared to learn", which is why she dropped out of school. I
hope to return to this site and keep up with discussions.
On 2/5/2005: Cynthia Armstrong (
carmstr3@uccs.edu)
Hello,
I am a graduate student at the University of Colorado. I am
currently writing a paper to support my view that women-
centered programming is essential for my English as a second
Language female students. I appreciate your research and
excellent points for me to support my premise.
Cynthia Armstrong
On 27/4/2005: Karen McClain (
KBJmcclain@hotmail.com)
I am an Ojibway literacy instructor. I have 26 years teaching in
th Aboriginal community, 20 years in Aboriginal adult education
and 4 years in Native literacy. This book has presented the
clearest understanding of the intergenerational trauma of
residential schools. I am impressed that for the first time,
someone has articulated some methods for ameliorating the
trauma. Jenny Horsman has truly understood the enormity of the
influence of the residential school era and the difficulty of
expecting individuals personally affected by the trauma to
become the "healers". At the same time through her writings
Jenny offers hope.
On 30/11/2004: Bonfanti Valentina (
vale80@virgilio.it)
Hi Jenny! I'm an italian girl I study psychology and I'm
preparing my thesis on self-injury.
I've read a lot of books and I decide to consider this behavior
as a reenactment of early trauma (van der Kolk)and, from
diagnostic point of view, as a PTSD.
If it's possible, I would like to have your opinion...
I'm unfamiliar with your book but.. now I run to buy it! (excuse
me for my English...)Valentina
On 23/11/2004: Hugo Kerr (
hkerr@aol.com)
I know you guys are dealing with far more severe trauma than I
would be considering in "normal" educational development but you
need not go so far as brain damage. The brain is immensely
complex and its behaviour similarly inscrutable (we can't scrute
it yet at any rate). It does apparently strange things even in
normal circumstances. For example London cab drivers (who have
to do "the knowledge" - a 2 year study of their city) have
differently developed brains than you and I (Maguire et al 2000:
Proceedings of the Nat. Academy of Sciences of the U.S.A. 97:8
4398-4403), so do musicians (Schlaug 2001: Annals of the New
York Academy of Sciences 930 281-299). Learning literacy changes
your brain (Castro-Caldas et al 1998: Brain 121:6 1053-1063 &
also(in 2003) Reading & Writing 16:1 81-97). Having serious
trauma will also make the brain (never mind the mind!) do odd
things - not only will the mind's behaviour change but the
brain's structure probably will too. The effect of experience on
the brain & so the mind are very seriously underestimated.
Research in this area is of the utmost importance! Hugo Kerr
On 17/11/2004: Jenny Horsman (
feedback@jennyhorsman.com)
Hi Emma - and everyone else - thanks for the reference to Bessel
van der Kolk's work Emma - I too think his work is fascinating -
and found the book you referred to by Van der Kolk, McFarlane
and Wisaeth very useful as I was writing Too Scared to Learn -
they helped me think about the ways violence affects the brain -
unfortunately there is still very little research that looks at
if, how the brain continues to change - and how to teach to
maximize learning. I was particularly fascinated by a suggestion
that violence affects the ability to put stories into narrative
order - but wonder what that means - whether there are cultureal
assumptions about what is a reasonable narrative order, whether
it makes sense to teach narrative order in literacy programs...
I'm hoping to do more research in the area so may be I can
investigate more of that - and if anybody else is doing research
I would love to hear about it.
On 26/10/2004: emma_chase@yahoo.com (
emma_chase@yahoo.com)
Hi there,
I was looking for info on reading disabilities r/t learning,
and came across your site.
What an important topic, your book is.
For more information on Trauma and Learning you may want to
look at Harvard professor, Dr. Bessel Vander Kolk's incredible
book "Traumatic Stress". (It is also bound to become a classic."
Some of the articles address the fact that stress seriously
impacts learning and memory. It is if stress causes a form of
brain damage, in fact.
I pray for a day when all women everywhere will be free, and
safe, and able to learn, as freely as their male counterparts.
Thank you,
Emma-Lee Chase VanCott
Queen's University
Kingston, Ontario
BScN Yr 4.
On 26/8/2004: Hugo Kerr (
hkerr@aol.com)
I am a volunteer tutor in adult literacy in the UK. I no longer
believe developmental dyslexia exists, but in this country it is
increasingly frequently "diagnosed" and the "diagnosis" acted
upon. (I have been published if anyone is interested and am very
willing to debate) So what else might cause the sometimes odd
difficulty with acquiring literacy? Well, I think, after years
of observing & listening to adult literacy students,
that "affect" is seriously underestimated. By "affect" I do not
even mean the serious trauma many of you may be dealing with -
even the less dramatic stresses and tensions of family reactions
at the time of failure at early learning may be sufficient to
negatively affect learning and, of course, most importantly,
confidence, and thus performance, for years after.
In the UK children start school usually at 5, though 4 is not
uncommon and really pushy parents sometimes manage 3! This makes
children, I think, especially vulnerable to at least
psychological trauma sufficient to affect their attitudes to
themselves, to learning and to life in general. If sufficient
stress is associated with the learning of literacy the mind will
thereafter do odd things to deal with reading and especially
writing & spelling - typically "dyslexic" things in fact.
If anyone knows anything concrete, or wishes to debate, please
come forward. I am sure that "affect" is a subject area ripe for
exploration and I look forward to it!
Hugo Kerr.
On 18/6/2004: Corinne (
chowci@hotmail.com)
I would like to know how to write a thesis topic on Pervasive
Development Disorder. I can't seem to get start with thesis or
the sentence representing my thesis. Could anyone help me
please as soon as possible.
On 18/4/2004: Susan Adams (
snj@smartchat.net.au)
Dear Jenny,
I have found your work to be facinating and your dedication an
inspiration. It has certainly opened up my until now, quite
narrow world of Adult Education (I am still a student). Please,
can you consider coming to Australia some time in the future as
I am sure your work and books are becoming more and more well
known. If you do, could you please let me know as I would love
to attend. thank you, Susan
On 13/4/2004: Charlotte Bie (
charlotte@uc2.dk)
Dear Jenny Horsman,
I am very excited to find this website as resources on
violence, traumatisation and learning difficulties seem
limited. In Denmark, a project to improve second language
acquisition for traumatised refugees and immigrants was
initiated in the autumn 2002 and runs until spring 2005. I
would like to share information about this project with anyone
interested:
The main objective of the project is to ensure traumatised
refugee and immigrants better opportunities for participating
in Danish language classes. The long-term aim is to improve
their integration into the labour marked and into Danish
society generally. The project is funded by the Ministry of
Refugees, Immigrants and Integration and runs until May 2005.
Activities are co-ordinated by UC2 (Centre for bilingualism and
interculturalism), which is also the body administering the
funds.
The project aims specifically at:
• developing new methods for teaching traumatised refugees and
immigrants
• developing new organisational structures and work relations
(between language centres, local health and social services,
municipal authorities and employers)
• improving teacher qualifications by organising courses and
providing in-service training for those working with this
particular group of refugees and immigrants
• empowering the refugees and immigrants to take further steps
in relation to education and work
• describing and transmitting experiences from the project with
the aim of initiating a general uplifting of practice
The national project is organised around five local language
centres, which are currently engaged in the development of
specialised courses for traumatised refugees and immigrants.
The teachers intend to use different pedagogical and
psychological approaches in their teaching taking into account
the vulnerable situation of traumatised refugees. Among the
approaches that will be tested in relation to language
acquisition are: psycho education, the use of computer study
centres, music therapy, diary and log-book activities, creative
workshops, vocational training and guidance etc.
UC2 is responsible for information sharing and research into
theory and practice both on a national and international level.
We therefore hope to exchange information with people abroad
and are very keen on locating examples of "best practice" to
use for inspiration and motivation in our own project. Please
write to: charlotte@uc2.dk
Best regards,
Charlotte Bie
On 11/11/2003: Jenny Horsman (
feedback@jennyhorsman.com)
Just want to thank everyone for your comments here - I try to
keep up and send notes to each person who posts but there are
times I get behind and then it seems just too late - so
apologies if you never received a reply! I hope perhaps though
that you do receive helpful comments from others who make
connections with their work.
Right now I also want to let everyone know that I have posted my
most recent research in draft form online to open up discussion
with anyone interested. This new piece focusses on youth
learning and violence. I do hope you will read this (or at least
skim it!) and join me in thinking about the impact of violence
on youth learning at www.alphaplus.ca over the next 2 - 3 weeks
(November 2003) to create a vibrant discussion!
The focus of my research was to seek to understand more about
how experiences of violence affect learning for school students,
how the responses of the school system help and hinder learning,
and how schools and youth literacy programs can better support
learning for youth who have experienced violence.
It has been a heart-rending and disturbing year talking to youth
in the regular and alternative school system in Toronto, in an
after school program and an out-of-school training program, to
teachers, guidance counsellors and social workers - and hearing
so much about all the ways everyone is trying so hard and yet
far too often failing to reach each other or to enable learning
to take place. Many of the young people I interviewed were
absolutely clear about what would make a difference and support
their learning yet it doesn't happen.
I look forward to "talking" with you soon.......
Jenny
PS To find this paper and discussion go to www.alphaplus.ca,
click on "alphacom" (in green - top left on the page)then click
on discussions - it will ask you to register if you haven't
signed on before, fill in the form, then you can find
the "violence and youth" discussion by listing "new discussions"
On 28/10/2003: jackie jackson (
jkjackson44@msn.com)
Wow!
Jenny what a wonderful site. It was very encouraging to scroll
thru such interesting and for me timely discussions. I met you
briefly at a Women and Literacy Conference in Georgia
shortly after Something in My Mind Besides the Everyday was
published. Your work still continues to be a seminal
inspiration in my own yet unfinished doctoral research. My
research centers on women and literacy and one theme I am
developing is the idea of public assistance mandates as a form
of institutional violence. I would love to advance my
thinking about this idea with others interested in this topic.
jackie kjackson
On 18/8/2003: Desiree Paulsen (
desiree@cdra.org.za)
I am doing a Masters in Adult Education at the University of the
Western Cape in Cape Town South Africa. I attended your workshop
in 2002 which you ran at UWC. I am returning to your ideas after
having completed my data analysis and finding that this issue of
pain and trauma featured so strongly.
My thesis topic is "Community Adult Education: Women,
Leadership and Social Action" and I wanted to investigate the
relationship netween adult ed and social action and look at the
coniditions under which women become empowered to take social
action. I have done my research study on a group of women in a
poor community trained by DELTA (Development Education
Leadership Teams in Action) an organisation based in Cape Town
working to empower grassroots women. What my research has told
me is exactly what you have found - that women (especially these
impoverished/disadvantaged women) were needing to deal with
their own personal pain - a large part of the focus group
sessions I had was them sharing about their personal lives and
how the training programme had made them stronger - fortunately
for them they had a wonderful trainer who put alot of emphasis
on personal development. So I have all this wonderful empirical
rich data about these women's pain and person struggles. My
sense is that dealing with this helped them to see themselves
differently and contributed enormously to their growth and
development on the course - in fact more so than anything else
learnt on the course. I do believe that this healing needed to
happen before they could even begin to see further and take
social action and get involved in community development (
although some of them were community activists despite having
all their personal baggage). So I suppose what I am saying is
that one of the conditions for adult ed to contribute toward
social action is getting people to first deal with their own
pain. And if adult education programmes are not doing this they
will fail hopelessly. I am still busy with my thesis but this
has inspired me to add some fresh insights.
Regards and carry on with your wonderful work - I thoroughly
enjoyed your workshop!
Desiree Paulsen
On 29/11/2002: Tatomir Ion Marius (
tatomir@usa.com)
Greetings.My opinion is that we are living in a world ful of
violence,inside,outside,everywhere,and one thing is sure-that s
gone a change.The question is,that how many sacrifices will be
needed to have a peaceful world?We should start today,by
renoncing to the bad,to the vices,to the hate,and beginning with
charity and a helpful hand accorded to anyone who need it...
Peace-mean happiness.
On 20/11/2002: lucy hahn (
lucyhahn@boiseschools.org)
I am interested in finding sources for helping young children
who have experienced trauma due to war (Sudan)learn to read. I
have a nine year old boy in my classroom who is having major
difficulties learning to read even simple sentences. This is
his third year in the US, but their is little academic
progress. Communicating with parents is also difficult due to
limited English. Our ELL teacher and school psychologist have
stated he is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. But
I am being held accountable for teaching him academics. Any
suggestions? Hoping to hear from you or someone. Lucy
On 19/11/2002: Tania Oppel (
toppel@uwc.ac.za)
Hello Jenny
I hope you are doing well. Miss you lots out here. Just been
to visit your website so that people can order your book.
Speak to you soon.
regards
TANIA
On 11/9/2002: Tshipinare Renard Marumo (
tmarumo@hotmail.com or tmarumo@uwc.ac.za)
Dr. Jenny Horsman was recently (06 September 2002) at the
University of the Western Cape (Cape Town,South Africa) during
the Learning Cape Festival. She was addressing on her new book
aboiut the impact of violence and abuse on learning. I must say
that it was an interesting presentation and it brought more
people from NGO (Non-governmental Organisations, educators etc.)
and others working within women and abuse,literacy.
However, one felt that perhaps a 2-3 day conference could be
held where particularly we could discuss the south African
problem more intensively. The conference could at least come out
with a resolution or declaration etc. on how should educators
etc.play a role in educating about the impact of violence in a
society,like South Africa which has had decades and
centuries of colonialism,apartheid.slavery etc.
I'm of the opinion that such a conference could bring in more
voices to the forefront and will make us look into violence from
other angles.
On 14/8/2002: Sheila Mitchell (
SMitchell@ci.watsonville.ca.us)
Jenny,
I attended part or a workshop you did at the San Diego Literacy
For All Conference. You had some wonderful books that I wanted
to get for Opportunity To Read. One of them was a very small
book on Self Esteem. I tried contacting Char but she was on
vacation. I would appreciate suggestions for basic readers and
self-esteem.
Your work is very important thanks for contributing your knowlege
and research.
Sincerely,
Sheila Mitchell
On 19/4/2002: John S. Taylor (
wutfact@netscape.net)
I am unfamiliar with your book. However, I am an adult educator
in Chicago working with men and women that have been victims of
violence. I too have been a victim of violence early in
childhood. Though I've tried to dismiss those moments as not
being related to my progress as an adult and learner, I'm now
beginning to understand through my students the connection
between the violent past and the present 'impasse' toward
learning. I look forward to reading your book and adopting its
lessons for myself and students.
On 24/1/2002: jean fleming (
jmfleming55@hotmail.com)
Hi Jenny,
Although I have not been a victim of violence, I do work with
women in a literacy program. I am presently following a graduate
course in Adult learning and am exploring Women and Literacy
Issues. Any suggestions you have on readings would be great.
On 19/12/2001: lucia (
lsbukwana@hotmail.com)
i have been exposed to violence in my life i know that for me
the biggest challange is beleiving in myself,the are times when
i did quit college, but now i've decided to return i also find
it challenging to beleive i'm intelligent enough to do
mathematical or scientific,,,how can you help me overcome this?
On 7/12/2001: Victor Hendricken (
rotcivh@nb.sympatico.ca)
Hi Jenny
Like your Website. Keep up the good work.
Victor
On 23/10/2001: Lorna Tatomir (
ljtptl@hotmail.com)
Hi am just starting to take a Literacy Tutor
course on line. I work as a TA in a school with kids
with Learning Disabilities. I have strong English and
writing skills but my Math skills seem very blurred.
Ican't help the kids I work with much past simple Grade
8 math and it is becoming a problem now in Grade 10 Chemistry
I have several years of post secondary education and did
well as long as courses had very little Math content. I had
a abusive childhood and seem to have blocked Math. I can
do simple accounting but numbers make my head hurt literrally.
Any ideas.
On 16/10/2001: Dorothy MacKeracher (
macker@unb.ca)
Jenny
We talked briefly about the possibility of you talking to my
graduate students who are studying literacy. We have finally
set up a WebBoard to exchange messages. I am not yet an expert
in using this technology but I am getting there. I am sending
you the message this way because I have misplaced your email
address.
I am planning to have the students read your article entitled,
Creating Change in Literacy Programs: Talking about Taking
Account of Violence, for Thursday, November 1st. Would you be
willing to exchange messages with the six students in the course
over the period of time from October 25th to November 7th? The
class includes two men and four women; four are located in
Fredericton, one in Moncton and one in Amherst.
If you are able to do this, let me know and I will send the
information about accessing the WebBoard.
Cheers, Dorothy
On 22/9/2001: sreelekha r. nair (
writetosree1@rediffmail.com)
Dear Jenny,
I am Sreelekha writing from India. Doing Ph.D in Gender Studies
at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. The title is "Gender,
Education and Work: A Study of Women Engineers in Kerala".
That is why probably your book has interested me so much.
Congratulations on accomplishing such a great feat as publishing
a book like "Too Scared to Learn Women, Violence and Education".
Your book succeeds in presenting practical ideas that make
readers notice new things and think for new strategies. It is
indeed a blend of theory,research and practice. I am extremely
sorry to finish my letter in short because of lack of space. I
would like to respond to your book in detail if you could send
me your postal address.
I write this especially to tell you my views on your writing on
links between violence and literacy(p.8 of your book). Belonging
to third world I felt that this part of the book is so relevant
for the third world like India. The link which you are
describing in your book between violence and learning is too
distinct and transparent here in my part of our globe. It gives
tips for the teachers who participate in literacy programs in
India. It certainly is helpful in 'expanding awareness of and
resources for literacy workers so that the new approaches,strat-
egies and programs can be developed to allow more learners the
chance to learn and participate effectively in literacy
programs'(p.9). It should be read by anyone who wants to make
choices not only in their learning experiences but in their life
chaces too. There is an urgent need to focus on personal
experiences of each learner woman, to offer a positive image of
oneself. Why don't you make a trip to India and do a study here?
A researcher who has already done such a wonderful study will be
able to do it in India.
Nevertheless it is "Pulling It All Together" that attracted me
the most. "Rethinking Change" triggered my passion and forced me
to reorganize my study. I am rethinking conceptualisation of
violence in my society and decided to explore what is defined
as 'normal' in the case of violence against women here.
I would like to talk to you for the simple reason that I keep
myself motivated for my work, just by talking to an able and
experienced researcher like you. Please reply at your
convenience to writetosree1@rediffmail.com or
sreelekha4@rediffmail.com.
Thank you for giving me the space to write to you and best
wishes for your further research.
SREELEKHA
On 15/7/2001: Jeanne Solity (
penoestra@iprimus.com.au)
I was most impressed with your website and will send on my
gender an dliteracy publications to you in a few weeks The books
outcomes of our Australian national gender and literacy
curriculum development project here, teach literacy and numeracy
competencies and include masculinities an demotional literacies
activities to make the learning resurces suitable for men too-I
have had a good response to the Gender Communication Series here
but the current governemnet here did not back the publication of
the outcoomes, so it has taken me ages to get them up and
running. The Making a Difference Research Report outline the
needs of women in literacy programs in Australia an dthe Gender
Language and Power Learning Resources and Gender anguage and
Power Communications: A Trainers Manual Incorporate your
inspiring research and reference your publications and also
those of CCLOW. Thankyou for your email and inspiration-Jeanne
Solity
On 11/7/2001: Jenny Horsman (
feedback@jennyhorsman.com)
I just want to thank everyone who has added a comment here. I
try to send personal emails to you all - but recently I have
been getting a little behind as all my spare moments have been
taken up with leading an on-line discussion - Creating Change at
www.alphaplus.ca - I am interested in getting as many people as
possible engaged in discussion about what blocks and enables
making change in literacy programs to more fully take account of
the impact of violence on learning.
I would always love to hear from you about your own research or
practice in the area of violence and learning..... Thanks for
all of you have commented here or sent me an email.
On 15/6/2001: Sally Gaikezheyongai (
gaikezheyongaisally@hotmail.com)
Hi Jenny! Found your website...seems very interesting.
On 13/6/2001: Shirley Bosler (
jamesrbosler@earthlink.net)
Hello Jenny,
My dear friend, Fiona Huebner, editor of the Ontario Literacy
Newsletter sent me a copy with your book review listed. I, in
turn sent the newsletter to our neighbor who begins teaching
Literacy at the University of Minnesota, Sept. 2001. His name
is David O'Brien.
Because I have been involved as a counselor in literacy in the
states for the past 15 years, I have written some material you
might be interested in using. "Holistic Goal Attainment to
Increase Levels of Self-Help" has been used in presentations at
conferences throughout the U.S. and Montreal. "On Track:
Having Fun With Your Mind" is a board game used in conjunction
with "Holistic..." "Goal Diggers" is a compilation of
biographies of learners written by them. "Sparks to Ignite Your
Imagination" was written for our staff so that they might more
easily facilitate their job teaching.
These are available from: Ms. JoAnn Vorst, Director
The Lafayette Adult Reading Academy
629 N. 6th Street
Lafayette, IN 47901 USA
I have retired but very much enjoy keeping up with the wonderful
work you have done for women in literacy.
Shirley Bosler
On 13/6/2001: Sharon Rogalsky (
getsetserv@telus.net)
Hello,
We deliver one of BC's Bridging programs for women on income
assistance with backgrounds of abuse who wish to prepare for
employment or further education.
I am very excited to discover your work as it will hopefully
raise awareness of the pervasive and long lasting effects of
violence and the importance of recognizing and addressing these
barriers.
Sharon Rogalsky
Get Set Services, Chilliwack, BC
On 11/6/2001: Margaret Willis (
mwatsonwullis@hotmail.com)
I may be in the position to begin a high school literacy program
for the non and low level readers in our school. I am a Special
Education teacher and would like to know where to start putting
together such a program. Any thoughts??
On 29/5/2001: Esther Shupe (
e.b.shupe@lycos.cp,)
Hi Jenny,
Any plans to do a workshop related to your curriculum on trauma
and learning in the NewYork area??
regards, Esther
On 21/1/2001: Joyce Stalker (
stalker@waikato.ac.nz)
Hi Jenny. I am book editor of the Australian Journal--Studies in
Continuing Education. If you can send me a copy of the book "Too
Scared to Learn" I will have it reviewed. Many thanks. Cheers
Joyce
On 12/12/2000: Esther Becker Shupe (
e.b.shupe@lycos.com)
Hi Jenny,
I have just completed reading "Too Scared To Learn" and it has
been quite an experience. Given my own background and
experience with violence, I can really appreciate and applaud
the idea of normalizing the experience of violence and have it
addressed and processed in the classroom. It doesn't serve
victims/survivors in any way to continue to be silent regarding
their experience. After all diversity isn't just about
race,culture,age,etc...
I cannot believe the incredible timing of your research, since I
have been asked to introduce an ESL/Basic Education program for
a domestic violence shelter I have worked in for the past two
years as a counselor.( in addition I am in the Master's Program
for Adult Education at Rutgers under the guidance of Hal Beder)
I have contacted LVA for tutor training and would very much like
to hear about any curriculum you have designed specifically
dealing with trauma around learning. I know that the book has
many practical and functional information pieces that I can pull
out to begin my work, but I was wondering if you had a program
design in place. I am very interested in any feedback you could
give me. Thanks Jenny, Regards, Esther Shupe
On 1/10/2000: Jane Field (
janef@interlog.com)
Dear Jenny: I just discovered that you have a web page and what a
fabulous site it is! Congratulations. The links are very
helpful and all your information is so well organized. It's
great. I'll tell people about it and I'll be back. Jane
On 10/9/2000: shirley walters (
ferris@iafrica.com)
dear Jenny
I don't know what I've done with your email address, hence this
mode. We had a fascinating workshop on Thursday in Cape Town on
Women's Learning. There were 50 women educators from very
different sectors, mainly civil society orgnanisations. I told
them about your book briefly as a way of encouraging them to
recognise the importance of understanding the impact of abuse,
whiich is so widespread here, on their learners. About 6 people
came up to me and asked if they could borrow the book! I said I
would try as quickly as possible to get copies in our library.
Could you please help me to know what the quickest way would be
to get a couple of copies of your book - maybe also when Judith
comes she can bring a couple more copies.
much love
Shirley
On 10/9/2000: Richard Seymour (
rseymour@mfa.org)
I am trying to learn about the subject at the present, to use at
work.
On 3/9/2000: Betsy Alkenbrack (
betsy@global.co.za)
Dear Jenny, Congratulations on your brilliant website. I can
hardly wait to get my hands on your book when I get back to
Canada (January). I'll be in touch soon. All the best, Betsy
(Johannesburg, South Africa).
On 7/8/2000: DAVID PEARSON (
shawmuteducation@netscape.net)
Hello Jenny
I attended one of your workshops. I would like you to call me as
soon as possible at 617-254-1134 to discuss two upcoming
opportunities.
The first has to do with being a guest on the Shawmut Education
Show called "Homelessness with Hope". The show debuts 8/8 at 5pm
on Cambridge Community Television (CCTV). The show I am inviting
you to will be taped on 8/14 at approximately 7pm at CCTV
studios.
The second is a show that will be live on CCTV on this sunday
8/13 at 7:30pm. The show is called Living In America and I am
sitting in as host for a friend. Please let me know your
interest. We would really love your participation. My phone is
254-1134 and you should be able to catch me early in the morning
or late at night. If for some reason we miss each other I can be
reached at 617-349-6363 on Wednesday from 12:30 to 4pm. Thats the
Community Learning Center in Cambridge.
Thanks
David
On 27/6/2000: Jo Altilia (
josephine.altilia@sympatico.ca)
Dear Jenny,
I heard you interviewed on CBC a couple of months ago. After
hearing what you had to say I ordered your book and began to
read it with great interest. I was very excited to then see that
Alpha Plus was reading the book for the book discussion. I was
interested in what you had to say because last year I had
volunteered at "Literature for All of Us". "Literature for All
of Us" is a non profit group that operates book groups for
teenager moms in Chicago. These young women live very choatic
lives and usually suffer in abusive relationships of one form or
another. "Push" was required reading for volunteers. What was
so great about this programme was that it is proactive as it
gives these women an opportunity to express themselves in written
and spoken form. Many of them begin reading to their children and
learn to be more positive about themselves.
Several of the young women and 4 founding members of this
programmem, including Karen Thompson, the director, are going to
be visiting me on the weekend of July 14th. I am hosting a
reception on July 15 from 4-6 at my house. The girls will be
reading and preforming their poetry. I hope you can come and
meet some of these amazing young women. I gave your book to Karen
Thompson. I know that Karen would really like to meet you as she
was very taken with your book.
This is a sample of the poetry that one of these young women has
written. You should here her perform it!! It is an electrifying
experience.
EXCUSE ME
Excuse me if my beauty doesn't sit on the outside.
Excuse me if I wear a size 12 instead of a size 5.
Excuse me if my hair isn't down my back.
Excuse me if I don't want a salad and instead
I choose a Big Mac.
Excuse me if my thighs are bigger that yours.
Excuse me if my feet make a thump when
they hit the floor.
Excuse me if I can't afford Polo, Tommy,
Mecca and Guess.
Excuse me if I choose to go to TJ Maxx and
shop though the mess.
Excuse me for being so up front.
Excuse me for not taking you junk.
These days people need to realize that the
truth will set you free.
But until they understand you will just have to
excuse me.
by Leslie Daniel.
I have since returned to Toronto, and would am getting ready to
dupicate this programme here. We will call it "Literature for
Life" “Literature For Life” is a non profit organization
dedicated to building the literary skills, self expression and
self confidence of teen mothers and at risk women through the
experience of "Words” book groups moderated by trained leaders.
I would like very much to meet you and talk about your work.
You can e-mail at the above address or it you'd like to talk to
me my telephone number is 481-6978.
Sincerely,
Jo Altilia
28 Glengrove Ave. We
Toronto, Ont M4R lN4
On 25/6/2000: Evelyn Battell (
battelle@mala.bc.ca)
Hi Jenny and others, Nice web page, Jenny. I know of a couple of
students who could read well enough to come here - so thank for
that.
I'm having trouble hanging on to my copy of your book - it keeps
making the rounds at our college and people read it slowly -
which I understand! There will be a review of it in the next
Literacy Materials Bulletin which comes out in Sept. and can be
accessed on line at NALD. The reviewer had the same experience -
she had to read slowly and didn't want to review until she was
done!
The book is hard work and energizing all at the same time. As a
worker in this field, it is energizing to be recognized for what
you know and experience. It is energizing to think something can
be done - that there are ideas out there that you could try in
your own work.
So thanks for the book and the work and the recognition of all of
us.
On 19/6/2000: Ms Dale Griffith (
dg@connix.com)
I work at York Correctional Institution in Niantic,CT, the
state's only female prison. Two of my colleagues have recently
returned from a training workshop based on Ms.Horsman's work
which they've shared with me.
As part of a grant, I will be getting a copy of Too Scared to
Learn.
Today, I skimmed a colleague's copy and wanted to own it right
away; in fact, I tried to order it (in vain)through Amazon and
Barnes and Noble -- back ordered, it seems. At any rate,among
other things,
I'm a writing teacher, so I'm very interested in learning about
your research regarding traumatized women and writing (the
healing benefits). I also participating in the CT Writing Project
which is beginning on June 26th in Storrs, CT -- I'd love to
present some of your finding to this group of educators (ranging
from K-12). Anyway, many thanks for writing this much needed book
-- simply from skimming it, I know it's important and long
overdue.
On 4/5/2000: Nancy Friday-Cockburn (
nfriday-cockburn@alphaplus.ca)
Jenny, your web site is really wonderful. Congrats on launching
it. I have already passed your site address on to a few people
who are interested in your work. I appreciate being able to
access your articles all in one place. I really like the way it
is organized - a sign that Mike Kelly has been here! All the
best. Nancy
On 18/4/2000: Bonnie Soroke (
soroke@interchange.ubc.ca)
Great to see you'll be at the Adult Ed conference in Vancouver
in June! I enjoyed your sessions at the CCLOW congress and look
forward to seeing you again.
and I just came across some artwork by Anne Popperwell that you
might be interested in if you haven't seen it already - at the
website of the BC & Yukon Society of Transition Houses :
http://home.istar.ca/~bcysth
Click on "Art Project"
Bonnie
On 2/3/2000: Peter Goulding (
goulding@gbc.gbrownc.on.ca)
Hello Jenny,
Congratulations on a great start to a Web
site. There's already a feeling of energy in
the content and style here. I hope this site
contributes substantially to your very
important work.
Peter.
On 24/2/2000: mike kelly (
mtkelly@home.com)
Jenny!
Congratulations on your new site. I hope this
tool helps you in your important work. You
work in bridging the gap between practice and
research is an inspiration to us all.
All the best.
mike
