Adult learner becomes a hero to his family

Through sheer determination and encouragement from family and friends, Floyd Grossetete has been successful in his mission to improve his literacy. He was recently recognized at a celebration in Edmonton on Sept. 8 as one of 13 Canadians selected to receive an Individual Achievement Award in the 2006 Canada Post Literacy Awards.

"It was a real struggle for me, but I just kept on striving," said the father of three boys.

He admits that he dropped out of junior high because of the constant taunts from his peers because of his difficulty to read and write. He continued to struggle, but never quite gave up. Born and raised in Fort Simpson, N.W.T., the carver with the support of his wife Mary, signed up for a pre-trades program at Aurora College Learning Centre in 2004 and graduated with a diploma.
Grossetete completed the upgrading program, with the encouragement from his instructor and mentor Greg Nolan, who pushed Floyd and worked with him to improve his literacy level.

"I look up to him because he knows so much and he helped me understand everything," said Grossetete.

Mary describes Nolan as the type of guy who never gives up on anyone, even if that means staying after class, which he did daily with Floyd.

"He was an amazing instructor," said Mary. "I remember this one time, where he really put Floyd on a pedestal and said 'You know what? This guy is really going to make it.' He was so encouraging. He really saw something in all of his students."

Although there were some frustrating moments for Floyd "he just kept on persevering," added Mary.

"He just had this determination to never give up and it was just amazing to watch that, especially for an older adult," said Mary. "I'm just so proud of him and honored to be his wife," she said holding back tears.

Two years later and now living in Edmonton, Grossetete has earned his Class 1 drivers license and completed a Class 1 tractor-trailer training program. He has also been accepted into a four-year program as a mechanical technician apprentice at TransCanada Pipelines.

Obviously impressed with her husband's achievements, Mary said that he is the family's hero. "He's our role model; our inspiration."

So when she read the criteria for the Canada Post Literacy award, Mary thought right away "This is my husband. I nominated him because he's an inspiration to me and my boys," said the proud wife. "When he got this award it was like wow, it was just amazing."

Mary has enrolled into the psychology program at King's University College, but not without the encouragement from her husband.

"He said that I can do it. He's just so amazing," said Mary.

The Canada Post established the literacy awards in 1993.

For further details about the program visit www.canadapost.ca/literacyawards.