By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY
Salina Post
Salina Adult Education Center's Donna Munsch is now advocating for adult literacy on the national stage.
The Coalition on Adult Basic Education State Advocacy has named Munsch the sole Kansas fellow for 2021.
Munsch’s fellowship will focus on the development of leadership, advocacy skills, research capacity, and network of influence. Munsch will engage in national and regional policy discussions and join a growing number of peers dedicated to building advocacy, according to information from Salina USD 305. The purpose of the fellowship is to help build a robust network of leaders and advocates focused on the advancement of adult literacy across the country. The fellowship program is sponsored by Dollar General.
"This fellowship opportunity is very exciting. I will be collaborating with 39 other fellows from across the country. I’m already seeing great things happen since the start two weeks ago. Meetings are taking place over Zoom or by phone from New York to California," Munsch told Salina Post.
Munsch's participation in the fellowship program is expected to reap benefits both locally and across the state, according to Kelly Mobray, USD 305 director of adult education.
"Donna’s involvement at the state and federal level with advocacy projects will benefit Salina and Kansas adult education programs by helping our government leaders understand the critical role that our services play in workforce development and helping those in our community gain skills and credentials needed to support themselves and their families," Mobray told Salina Post.
Munsch agreed.
"My goal is to make local, state and federal policy makers more aware of the great things that are happening with adult education here in Salina, in Kansas and across the country with the hope that awareness brings program support and funding," she explained.
Munsch has been a part of the Salina Adult Education Center since 2007, and has taught both GED® preparation and English as a Second Language, USD 305 noted.
According to Munsch, a love for languages launched her career in adult education.
"I started my career in adult education in Garden City in 1992. I saw an advertisement in the newspaper for a part-time English as a Second Language instructor. This was a job I had never heard of before, but it sounded perfect to me because I have always had a love for languages and a desire to teach," she explained.
Munsch taught part-time in Garden City for two years, until she and her husband moved to Hays.
"Eventually, I was hired with the adult education program in Hays. I taught there full-time for one year. In 2006, my husband and I moved to Salina. I started here at SAEC in May of 2007," she noted.
About the Salina Adult Education Center
USD 305's Salina Adult Education Center provides adult basic education, English as a second language support, GED® preparation and testing, as well as college skill building for people 16 or older and out of school. The center operates a diploma completion program for adults to meet requirements and earn a Central or South High School diploma. An intensive employment course called Partners 4 Success was developed by the center and is run in collaboration with Salina area agencies and employers.