Promoting Adult Education

Elizabeth (Ibby) Gilmore was named 2015 Minnesota Adult Basic Education (ABE) Teacher of the Year by the Literacy Action Network. She taught for 33 years in the Osseo Area School District before transitioning to become an ABE math teacher for the past 15 years. Many of her adult students are parents of children in grades K–12. Gilmore emphasizes that by helping these adults improve their education, they can become better parents. Many of her students are refugees and immigrants, grateful for the opportunity for a basic education. Fellow ABE teachers Nancy Johnson and Meg Roeske nominated Gilmore for the award based on her ability and willingness to always go above and beyond. She is the sixth employee in the school district to be awarded this highest state-level recognition in the education profession.