Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancie DeCourcy.
Hi Nancie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I would like to tell you about my post-career life. I play lots of pickleball! I also teach English as a second language to adults with an organization called RALC (Richardson Adult Literacy Center). My level 3B students are striving to improve their grammar and speaking fluency. In so doing, they become qualified for promotions at work, speak more confidently, and learn how to participate in American culture and traditions.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I had to learn how to explain the more advanced English grammar that we native speakers take for granted. Although our instructor books are great, the students often want and need more nuanced explanations, because grammar is difficult! Over the summer I have used AI to help me create new games and learning activities for next semester.
Another challenge is to encourage a student to keep going in spite of a work shift change, childcare issues, and difficult homework to complete for every class. Their determination to come to class two evenings a week after long days at work and family responsibilities is amazing to me.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My career as a medical coding auditor and trainer was very detailed and required daily conflict resolution. In my volunteer ESL teacher position I get to be more creative and allow myself to flow the class according to the students’ knowledge gaps and speaking deficiencies, which are different each semester.
I would say I’m known for making my students play fun games in class, and my willingness to try new activities suggested by the RALC staff. The students seem to appreciate my efforts with much laughter and comradery.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
RAL:C is a game-changer for our adult ESL students. The small non-profit staff works on a shoe-string budget, but is determined to help our students by offering in-person and online classes, conversation classes, a summer book club, citizenship prep classes, and a “career bridge” class to help with resumes and interviewing skills. All classes are overflowing with dedicated, appreciative, hard-working adult students, and I think this will continue for the foreseeable future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ralc.org/
- Instagram: ralc_literacy
- Facebook: Richardson Adult Literacy Center
