A great many people contributed to the successful completion of this publication. First, I want to thank the learners who gave us their stories and allowed us to publish them. For many of them, it was difficult to go so public with some of their personal trials and successes, but all wanted to contribute in hopes that their stories might inspire and encourage others who need literacy help.

I want to thank the teachers/tutors of these learners for helping us to collect the stories and the photos and for encouraging and supporting their learners as well as nominating them for the awards.

Special thanks to Paul Heavenridge, Jane Curtis, Raymond Fox, Caroline Dobison, Venice Jenkins, and Bill Hammond for contributing their talents and expertise and working so hard to pull all the pieces together in order that this book could be completed.

A special thanks to California's State Collab