10/05/2026
⭐️ Student Spotlight ⭐️ Meet Tatsiana
Tatsiana and her daughters came to the United States five years ago from Belarus to join her husband who had already found work in the Asheville area.
“It was a hard decision,” she said, “but I decided I wanted this for my children. This is a place where they can live free.”
Today, Tatsiana works in healthcare, has earned a certification in sterile instrument processing, and is continuing to build a life in her new country. One of the most important parts of her journey has happened in a classroom, where for nearly two years she has worked with Beth, a volunteer tutor with Literacy Together.
She contacted Literacy Together and was eventually paired with Beth. What began as an effort to improve her English became a relationship built around learning, books, travel, family and the sharing of two cultures.
“One of the things that I have enjoyed watching,” said Beth, “is how Tatsiana’s ability to express herself has changed over the two years. Initially when you start tutoring, conversation is very simple—just the objective words, naming things, all the nouns. But as Tatsiana’s vocabulary and self-confidence has grown, she can now talk about concepts and ideas, express feelings and emotions, and share attitudes and opinions and beliefs.”
Reading has helped push that progress even further. Tatsiana has begun reading books in English, including The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series. “I’m proud that I can read a book in English,” she said.
For Tatsiana, Beth’s encouragement has been especially important when learning feels difficult.
“Sometimes I think, ‘This is so hard. Maybe I will stop,’ ” Tatsiana said. But instead of giving up, she continues. “She gives me power. She is patient with me and I think that I’m lucky to have this tutor.”
For Tatsiana and her family, her father’s legacy of learning through literacy continues. Tatsiana plans to keep improving her English and is hopeful that she will be able to prepare for the U.S. citizenship exam while continuing to build a rich and productive American life.
Stories like Tatsiana’s show the power of literacy, connection and a dedicated volunteer tutor. Want to help someone in our community build confidence through literacy? Learn more about volunteering with Literacy Together and join one of our upcoming orientation sessions.
