Never too old to learn, says literacy award winner

A man from the Burin Peninsula, who went back to school after 30 years to earn his high school equivalency diploma, got an unexpected message from the premier's office this month when he won a national award for literacy.

Russell 'Junior' Simms of Fortune is the latest recipient of the province's 2015 Council of the Federation Literacy Award.

"[I was] pleasantly surprised but, like I told one lady, 'it's the icing on the cake,'" Simms told CBC Radio's St. John's Morning Show, after receiving the news. 

Simms is one of 14 people to receive the annual nation-wide award, which recognizes those who have made a valuable contribution in the field of literacy. 

Back in 2012, at 47, Simms decided to register for Keyin College's Adult Basic Education (ABE) program.

'Just totally proud'

He said he immediately wanted to share news about his award with Gary Higgins, the instructor Simms credits with helping him complete the ABE program.

"He was quite the mentor and he helped me get through all of it," Simms said. 

But Higgins believes Simms deserves full credit for the hard work and dedication he put into his studies. 

"We're all just totally proud of what he did," Higgins said.

"He can give compliments where he wants, but it was his dedication and hard work that got the award."

Daunting at times

Simms said his initial goal was to earn the equivalency for Grades 9 through 12. 

"It was a bit daunting at times but, with Gary's help, I got through it," Simms said. 

"I always did like carpentry, and I always wanted my Grade 12, so at 47 I said, 'I think I'm going to give this a try.'"

After completing the ABE program, Simms continued on into trade school through Keyin College. 

"He kept reinforcing to me, that this will all be worth it in the end, and that's what kept me going," Simms said of his instructor. 

"I think I often said to him, 'Jeeze, if teachers were like you when I was in school I would have never quit.'"

The comeback 

Higgins was a high school teacher for 30 years but has spent the last decade working with adults. 

He said he often has to help older students overcome their fear of "the comeback" — returning to the classroom after decades. 

"You've got to have the support from your family, [you've] got to have the support from the government agencies and the institutions who are putting those programs into place," said Higgins. 

"So it takes a full community, and a lot of work, to give these individuals the opportunity and the support to get through it." 

Simms is a strong advocate of the ABE program because it allows students work at their own pace. 

"You're never too old to learn," he said. 

"That's my motto and that's always been my motto."