Emily Spangenberg Joins Orange Literacy as Digital Navigator

919-914-6153 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE kyonker@orangeliteracy.org

orangeliteracy.org

Orange Literacy Hires Emily Spangenberg as Digital Navigator and ESOL Program Assistant

CARRBORO, NC, March 1, 2022-- Orange Literacy welcomes Emily Spangenberg as their first digital navigator to manage their new digital literacy program. Emily will also act as their English as a Second Language (ESOL) program assistant.

Emily brings over 15 years of experience in education, interpretation, translation, and legal aid services. She has a passion for finding community-based, people-centered solutions to social inequalities. Spangenberg speaks Spanish fluently and is an advocate for language justice.

Previous to joining Orange Literacy, Spangenberg connected migrant farmworkers, advocates, and direct service providers as the coordinator of the statewide Farmworker Advocacy Network. She also supported clients and their certified law student representatives as they navigated the shift to online meetings in early 2020, when she worked as a bilingual program assistant at UNC Law.

“The pandemic showed us how crucial computer skills are today, and we’re thrilled to have Emily bring her experience and help us launch this program for our students,” said Executive Director Alice Denson.

The digital navigator position is made possible in part by a grant from the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS). The program uses the Northstar Digital Literacy Assessment software, and teaches basic computer skills, email for work and school, Internet-based job searches and software basics, among other skills.

“Since the pandemic, I’ve focused on digital inclusion, specifically finding ways to connect adults with limited access to or proficiency with technology to online spaces," said Spangenberg. “This position is an exciting next step in continuing that work.”

Spangenberg can be reached via email at espangenberg@orangeliteracy.org.

For more information on Orange Literacy’s work, visit orangeliteracy.org.

Orange Literacy is a non-profit organization that relies on donations and grants to sustain their operations and offer classes for free. Orange Literacy has offered instruction to adults who live and work in the county for more than 35 years. The organization offers free classes for adults in reading and math, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), digital literacy, GED preparation, U.S. citizenship and family literacy.

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