Staff Profile - June 2016

Katie Devanny, now Program Manger for CAL.  The pic is from one of the first ESOL classes she taught at the Main Library.

 At times one wonders why we face the daunting challenges we encounter in life. Some people address those encounters as a wake up call and rebound with a wonderful determination to make a difference in their own and others' lives.  Meet the astute Katie Devanny, who did--and does--just that.

Q: The Center for Adult Learning (CAL) does so much for our community. Tell us about your department’s various services and who helps get what done.

A: The Center for Adult Learning (CAL) has been serving the residents of Duval County for 30+ years.  We have dabbled in all aspects of literacy throughout the years but our main focus has been Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). For the past year the focus on the ABE side has been preparing students for the GED test. At this time we are more Adult Secondary Education (ASE) oriented and we are looking to expand this next year into workforce development. Our ESOL program helps over 700 immigrants coming from 90 different countries. Our staff is large compared to most departments. We are part of the LEAP team out in the community offering GED® and Conversation Essentials, and as you know, we oversee the Career Online High School (COHS) for JPL. Tammy Owens is the supervisor and she runs the daily operations and COHS.  Denise Thomas is our volunteer and outreach coordinator. Katie Bark is our GED coordinator at Main. She teaches classes, assesses students, and helps with the volunteer instructors.  Valencia Kidwell is our full time ESOL instructor at Main. Sergio Lagman is our part time ESOL coordinator for UPK and CW and he teaches at Main, UPK, and CW. Margaret Gloag is a part time ESOL instructor at Main. Kathy Zaccardi is the ESOL coordinator for PCR and SE. Kwanza Yates is the brand new GED instructor who will be working at various libraries. We have two people working on the LEAP grant: Samantha Lee and Michele Goolsby. I had to mention everyone and what they do because without them CAL would not be possible and I would not have a job.

Q: Partnerships have become invaluable to JPL. What other agencies/organizations interrelate with CAL and how does that benefit both CAL and them?

A: CAL works with Learn to Read (LTR) of Jacksonville, a non-profit adult education program working with adults reading at a comprehension level from zero to sixth grade. LTR is based here at the Main library and they share CAL’s workroom and computer lab. Through the LEAP program we have made a number of community partnerships with local agencies such as NFCCA- Northeast Florida Community Action Agency.  We work with the local refugee agencies throughout the year on small projects. The partnerships really benefit the students. Jacksonville is so large and overwhelming in its complexities of needs, so it is great to have partners to refer students to and have students referred to us.

Q: As Program Manager of CAL how do you oversee the different functions of CAL?

A: CAL has done a 180 degree turn over this past year.  When I first took over I felt like the kid in the pool with my swimmies on.  I was not able to function without the support I received from everyone in the JPL system, and I mean everyone.  At the beginning I was just another CAL employee “doing” CAL projects but with the title of manager. Now, my team is getting stronger. I have a supervisor taking on the daily running of the department and I am becoming the planner for the department not the doer.

Q: Before you came to JPL in 2007, what background did you have that helped prepare you for this position and why was JPL/CAL a good fit for you?

A: I had worked in retail most of my life. When I first graduated from college I worked for Harborplace in Baltimore as their Special Events Coordinator. After two years I foolishly wanted to get back into retail because I really like helping customers.  I worked for GAP Inc. for 16 years and then a few big box retailers.  I was usually the district trainer in some capacity or another and so teaching came easily to me. When I decided to start my own business and went looking for part time work, the ABE classes at CAL appealed to me. My sister has worked in the adult education field for years so I had been exposed to many of the methods used with teaching ABE classes. The previous manager, Sharon, took a chance and hired me on a grant and the rest is history.

Q: Tell us something about yourself that most of us would not know.

A: That’s hard. I’m an open book--no pun intended. I know my staff knows this but I just like being happy and having fun. When I was 24 I was in a coma for three days, and I have always felt I was healed for a reason. No, I didn’t sell all my belongings and give my life to service, but I feel I’m here for some purpose: help others, lead my team, and make someone smile.