Ozarks Profile

Executive director, Ozarks Literacy Council, 1229 E. Seminole, Springfield. The purpose for which the council is organized is to teach people to read; to encourage "each one to teach one"; to build a better community through a holistic approach to self-development; and to break the cycle of illiteracy. "We accomplish this mission with the administration of six programs," Slone said. They are the Adult Basic Education, Family Literacy, America Reads, English for Speakers of Other Languages, Workplace Literacy, and Corrections Literacy programs. "We tutor people of all ages and all levels of education. We will assist in the attainment of a GED or help a grandparent read to a child," Slone said. The Ozarks Literacy Council has been in existence since 1968. Much of this time, the organization was a volunteer organization serving students out of libraries and homes. In 1979, the organization acquired United Way funding, which allowed it to obtain office space and provide staff to the students and tutors in the community. In 1990, the first full-time director was hired, and services were expanded to 11 counties throughout southwest Missouri. Last year, the council served 307 students and trained 163 new tutors. As of Aug. 31, 1998, the council has served more than 348 students and trained 79 new tutors. Also in August, the council began a new program, the America Reads program. Established by an act of Congress, America Reads serves any school-age child who reads below his or her current grade level.

Age: 25.

No. of years in Springfield/area: Has been here since August of 1996.

Education: Has a BA in community development from Berea College in Berea, Ky. She started her master's program in January of 1998 at SMSU.

Early career: Slone's first job was through a youth work experience program at the age of 14. She worked in the town hall of East Haven, Conn. This position, in the mayor's office, provided her with an insight on local politics. "Although I was too young to fully comprehend, it left a lasting impression," Slone said. She held various jobs through grade school and high school. "The most noteworthy was a job at Child World (in Hamden, Conn.) where I began as a cashier, but soon began assisting with the closing and staff management," Slone said. In college, her work-study position was as the program director for Berea's Adult Ongoing Reading Program, which was a part of a larger organization called Students for Appalachia (SFA). "It was here that I developed my management philosophy. The director of SFA, David Sawyer, truly exhibited a participatory method of management with the use of teamwork," Slone said. "We were never told what to do, but we all discussed what we would do," Slone said. During her time as program director of the Adult Ongoing Reading Program, she assisted the Kentucky Department of Adult Education and Literacy to rewrite their tutor training manual. Also during this time, she was on the board of directors of the national organization, Student Coalition for Action in Literacy Education. This organization assists with the implementation of literacy programs on college campuses. When she graduated, Slone worked in Lexington, Ky., at Operation Read as an administrative assistant/bookkeeper. At Operation Read she fine-tuned her accounting skills and learned about board development and support. When she came to Springfield, she sought work in the same area and found the Ozarks Literacy Council. She became executive director in September of 1996.

Current projects: The Ozarks Literacy Council is working on program development, rewriting the tutor training manual, and revisiting the mission and staff structure.

Management philosophy: "My management philosophy is very participatory. I believe that the best way to motivate people is to involve them in the decision-making process. People should work together as a team to get the tasks done, regardless of personal job descriptions."

Spare-time pursuits: In her spare time, Slone likes to read, cross-stitch, attend church, play the piano, paint, garden, bike and entertain her two cats.

Family data: She is married. Her family is from Connecticut; her husband is from Kentucky.

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