Hillsborough man turns new page on life
Published Thursday April 16th, 2009
Greg Drewett, 34, honoured for taking reading level from Grade 1 to high school in two years
FREDERICTON - When Greg Drewett's level of literacy went from that of a Grade 1 student to high school in two years, it did more than just get the Hillsborough man's job back -- it changed the way he dressed.
"I used to wear baggy clothes," he said yesterday at the legislature, wearing dress pants and a green sweater over a collared shirt.
Greg, 34, had just moments before been recognized by Premier Shawn Graham with the Council of the Federation's Literacy Award for 2008 -- an award given across the country in recognition of outstanding achievement in literacy.
Greg and fellow New Brunswick award recipient Rinette Bouchard caused a rare occurrence in the legislature: a standing ovation on both sides of the house.
It was a standing ovation for a brand new life.
In Greg's case, learning to become a better reader has done much to change him beyond just simple literacy. It's transformed how he interacts with other people and, primarily, how he feels about himself.
It's a far cry from when he quit school in Grade 9. He decided then that he wasn't getting anything useful from the school system, knowing full well that he'd been passed on from grade level to grade level without learning how to read.
Greg did have a passion and it was to follow in his father's footsteps to become a professional plumber. He was hired full-time as a plumbing contractor in 2004 after working sporadically for the company for almost a decade before.
However, his literacy demons came back to haunt him when he lost his job because he couldn't read well enough to earn certification papers. He was 31 years old.
It was shortly afterwards that Greg decided to take his reading skills to the next level.
Greg has dyslexia -- sometimes described as a learning disability, other times as a neurological disorder and often linked with a person's ability to read and write. It is usually identified by indicators like writing letters backwards.
Priscilla Wilson prefers to call dyslexia, and other so-called learning disabilities associated with illiteracy, as simply other natural ways of learning how to read.
Priscilla is a retired resource teacher from Hopewell Cape who developed a learn-to-read program named Zooberts! It took her nearly 10 years to fully develop the program and, while it's geared mostly towards children, the program can be modified for adult learners.
Greg credits the program for his evolving literacy skills.
Last fall, Priscilla opened the Wilson Reading Centre at 331 Cameron St. in Moncton. She teaches her students particular rules and codes that can be used to decipher words through their own tailored way of learning.
Beyond that, Priscilla said her primary goal is to change whatever perceptions may exist about people who struggle with reading, including opinions from those who might be struggling themselves.
"I'm on a mission to tell kids that it's not about intelligence," she said. "I'm dealing with really, really smart people. I'm obsessed with people understanding that people who struggle with reading need another way to approach the written word."
Greg's reading level evolved in the program, branching out from what he originally knew as only the alphabet and being able to piece words together. Reading at a high school level meant that he was able to get his job back. He is currently enrolled in the N.B. Community College's plumbing apprenticeship program.
He's has so far enjoyed the art of surprising himself that has come with being able to read better.
"Right now I'm so hyped," he said. "I'm in college and getting this award at the same time. It's mind-boggling."
Award recipients
The N.B. 2008 Council of the Federation Literacy Award recipients are: * Greg Drewett Greg Drewett knew he needed to improve his literacy skills when he lost his job as a plumber's assistant, all because he didn't have the necessary certification.
With severe dyslexia, he had dropped out of school in Grade 9. At first, it seemed this would prevent him from getting his General Educational Development (GED). However, in the past two years, Greg has benefited from an amazing level of support from volunteer tutoring and a community- based literacy class (Zooberts!). Greg was able to pass the GED exams last spring. He is now in an apprenticeship at the New Brunswick Community College.
* Rinette Bouchard While still a young girl, Rinette Bouchard had to leave school to take care of her ill parents.
She was a model student, but circumstances prevented her from returning to school. Several years passed, and Rinette still dreamed of earning her diploma, improving her skills and obtaining a better job. After making the decision to go back to school at the age of 56, nothing could stop her.
Rinette completed the three intermediate levels of French and Mathematics in record time. She then worked tirelessly to prepare herself to write the GED exams. Rinette passed all five of her exams on her first try. She was able to apply for the jobs of her choice and returned to the labour market in the field she had always preferred: health.
* Source: Council of the Federation Literacy Awards
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