 Southern Tier Traveling Teacher, Inc. |
79 ½ N. Main Street Office Hours M-F, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Southern Tier Traveling Teacher, Inc. operates an in-home GED tutorial service for out-of-school individuals in Allegany County. Originally started through volunteer efforts thirty-five years ago, it was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in 1984. Traveling Teacher also provides job readiness/job retention skills training and case management services to economically disadvantaged individuals. United Way funding helps Traveling Teacher to provide GED preparation services throughout all of the towns in rural Allegany County. The in-home services allow Traveling Teacher to reach people with barriers such as lack of transportation and child care (single mothers) and others who failed in a classroom setting and need individualized tutoring to succeed. These services give the teacher an opportunity to observe the student's home situation which helps in goal setting and for referral to other service providers. United Way funding also helps support the Allegany County High School Equivalency Graduation Ceremony. This annual event recognizes the achievement of those individuals from local literacy programs who have successfully passed the GED exam. This ceremony is especially important to those students who have had many struggles in their lives and who never thought they would have the opportunity to have their families and friends watch them graduate. Traveling Teacher's mission is to provide educational assistance to disadvantaged individuals, enabling them to build self-esteem and to gain the essential knowledge and skills necessary for success. United Way funding is essential in fulfilling our mission. Southern Tier Traveling Teacher, Inc. receives funding though the Allegany County United Way, Allegany County Youth Bureau - Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), Allegany County Department of Social Services, ACCORD 21st Century Grant and Choices for Youth (DOH), NYS Education Department, WIA Youth and donations from local associations and individuals. |
Southern Tier Traveling Teacher
Success Story Rosie E. was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in April 2004. At the time, she was a high school drop out who was a single, working mother of two children. During her battle with breast cancer, Rosie completed a round of chemotherapy. She underwent a total mastectomy, and the removal of 18 lymph nodes before beginning the painful process of radiation. Rosie felt that her future looked bleak. She had to quit her job because of her severe health issues and with no high school diploma her success beyond the battle with cancer still seemed improbable. It was during radiation that Rosie made the decision to study for her GED. She began working with Southern Tier Traveling Teacher and because of her strong determination and dedication to her studies she was ready to take the GED test in April 2005, exactly one year after her breast cancer diagnosis. Through shear strength and will Rosie survived breast cancer while also successfully achieving her GED goal. She tackled this educational obstacle during difficult times because she realized that her GED was necessary to help improve her future and that of her children. While standing at the podium of the GED Graduation Ceremony in July 2005, Rosie told the audience that if she could endure all that she has in the past year and still find time to study and pass the GED test, then anyone could do it. She encouraged them to share her story and her struggles with others in hopes that they too might be inspired to achieve. Rosie is now engaged to be married and excited about reentering the workforce soon. She also has plans to look into college for a Human Services degree. Her family and friends are proud of her for not only having the strength to overcome breast cancer, but to also have the desire to encourage others to succeed. Many people have obstacles that hinder them from success. Support from the Allegany County United Way has helped Rosie and many others reach their educational goals when success seemed unlikely. |