(PRWEB) January 17 2004

Small business owner raised by grandparents who could not read or write lands NASA contracts to teach writing courses.

Being raised by grandparents who could not read or write, Dr. Marćia Riley seems an unlikely candidate to teach written communications courses. Yet she’s had a passion for the written word and always believed that if you can talk, you can write effectively. This is the philosophy she takes into the training classes along with sharing her background, which in part, serves as motivation for the students.

With more demands on employees’ time, effective writing skills are a must in today’s business environment. Therefore, corporations and government agencies recognize the value of employees who can produce documents that achieve the WRITE results. And since 90% of business is conducted through some form of written communications, EA has captured a unique corner of the market at NASA Centers through its creative training approach.

Unlike some training firms, EA designs its workshops based on the writing strengths and weaknesses of the attendees. Marćia, a senior trainer with the firm, says “Part of our success is because we tailor each workshop BEFORE the training is conducted. Employees are required to submit writing samples that are analyzed and used to design the class. Once employees receive this type feedback during the training, 95% discover ways in which their writing skills can be improved.” The firm uses unique learning activities that consist of the balloon burst review, buzzle puzzles, STL tournaments, mumbo-jumbo memos, etc. And since the training format requires attendees to operate as competitive writing teams, incentives along with certificates of completion are used to create an exciting learning experience.

Each year, the firm conducts four pro-bono trainings to non-profit organizations that serve youth, minorities, women and small business owners. Marćia says this is her small way of giving back to the community since many individuals contributed to her growth starting from childhood. Plus her grandparents always encouraged her “…to get all the education you can, so you don’t have to pick oranges or clean house as we have…” They also instilled in Marćia the importance of helping others and giving back.

Marćia received her Ph.D. from Florida State University in 1979 and started her business in 1980. She serves as an adjunct professor for Central Michigan University, Extended Learning Program in Atlanta and remains actively involved in several professional writing organizations.

Marćia will teach three writing classes at NASA/Glenn Research Center in Ohio and NASA/Kennedy Space Center in Florida this month. She will also conduct two editing/proofreading courses at the Centers for Disease Control next month.

While Dr. Riley may not travel with the astronauts through space, she is helping NASA employees reach new heights through effective written communication skills.

Photos provided on request.
 

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