Growing Every Day: Joanne Telser-Frere On What We Can Do To Grow Every Day
An Interview With Dr. Carla Marie Manly
FIND A MENTOR WHO INSPIRES YOU
Growth is an essential part of life, both personally and professionally. Every day presents an opportunity to learn, evolve, and become better versions of ourselves. But how do we seize these opportunities? How do successful writers, leaders, and influencers ensure they are constantly growing and improving? What daily habits, practices, or mindsets contribute to their continual growth? In this interview series, we are talking to authors, leaders, influencers, and anyone who is an authority about “What We Can Do To Grow Every Day”. As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Joanne Telser-Frere.
Joanne, a Chicago native fluent in French and familiar with Arabic, has explored diverse cultures from France to Qatar. As Director of Program Development at Literacy Chicago, she trains and oversees 150 volunteers while enjoying acting, storytelling, and reading. Joanne, who authored *33 Ways Not to Screw Up Teaching Adults to Read”, is always on the lookout for new ways to push the boundaries of adult education with innovative approaches.
Thank you so much for your time! I know that you are a very busy person. Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us your “Origin Story”? Can you tell us a bit about what you do professionally, and what brought you to this specific career path?
I have had a very unusual path to my current career and passion! In 5th grade our class had French lessons and that sparked off a love of the French language and a desire, at that young age to live in France, marry a Frenchman (I married 3!) and become French.
I accomplished that goal and not knowing what to do next, I found a job teaching English as a Second Language, having had no training in teaching and only a BAS from the University of Illinois with a major in French and a focus on theater.
That led to a long career in teaching, and figuring out how to learn to do things that I had no training in. Some of the things I taught myself to do, other than teaching, and in no specific order:
● Creating curriculum for English Classes, Brain Training and for a path to citizenship in the USA ● Becoming a teacher trainer for language teachers.
● Managing a team of +150 volunteers and training them to teach adults to read and speak ESL ● Being a journalist for the written press in Doha Qatar and Dubai- newspapers, magazines and websites.
● Working as a radio journalist/ DJ in both English and French on The Qatar Broadcasting Station ● Producing TV shows for Qatar Television.
● Using technology
Thank you for all that. Let’s now turn to the main focus of our discussion about Personal Growth. To make sure that we are all on the same page, let’s begin with a simple definition.
What does “Personal Growth” mean to you?
Learning something new everyday and taking the attitude of “I can figure it out”
Why do you believe that it’s important to commit to growing every day?
When you stop learning your brain becomes stagnant and life becomes a boring routine. In order to enjoy life to the fullest in the time that we are here, it is important to keep on the lookout for new and interesting things to do and to learn.
What are the key upsides for those who mindfully engage in a journey of personal evolution?
Understanding others, understanding oneself, discovery of different viewpoints and thus engaging in learning how others see things. When people understand each other and the why behind actions, it is easier to engage in meaningful conversations and help each other. It is a drop in the ocean of peace on earth.
When we stop evolving in intentional ways, what do you think are the biggest downsides?
Boredom, prejudice, a lack of caring about others and missing out on wonderful experiences that could be life changing.
What specific practices, if any, do you have in place to ensure that you don’t become stagnant in life?
As a dear, deceased friend of mine used to say “Fake it until you make it.” Say YES!
Is there any particular area of your life where you are most committed to growth (e.g., spiritually, professionally, socially, internally, relationally)?
Yes- all of those! I believe every area mentioned above is important for personal growth and wonderment.
If you could offer five tips to readers on how to stimulate and perpetuate self-growth, what would they be?
1 . SAY YES AND FAKE IT!
I have personally done this so many times in my life that I couldn’t list them all here — and each one leads to new knowledge about myself and my capabilities to do something new: a few
● Training volunteers to teach reading- which I had never done
● Creating a curriculum to teach brain training — knowing nothing about the brain ● Responding to calls to make national and international presentations -and being accepted! ● Writing a book without ever taking a formal writing class
● Becoming a radio/written journalist without any prior training in journalism!
Story: Walking into my first ESL lesson, not knowing that it wasn’t a training session for me was one of the scariest moments for me. I had been hired to teach English to adults in a little school in Orleans, France, knowing absolutely nothing about teaching. I needed to find a job and thought that since I spoke English I could teach it! I was promised training. The training turned out to be observing one class one time, and being told to go look at the books in the teacher’s room. When I showed up for what I thought would be my second class observation, I was told: “Your student is waiting- go teach!” I walked into a room where a young man in his 30s was waiting. I was 22 years old. He had a book in front of him that I had never seen before. I remember thinking “what the hell? — well just go for it Joanne!” I introduced myself and fortunately his level was intermediate so at least we could converse. I asked him what he had been working on with his former teacher and he told me “the present perfect tense” I had NO IDEA what that was! However I can read upside down and saw an explanation in his book! I asked him to tell me everything he knew about it- and that helped me to figure it out! I never told him it was my first lesson and he turned out to be an excellent student! On my way home that day I borrowed a grammar book from the library.
Thanks to that experience I started teaching ESL- and slowly taught myself how to teach, attended trainings and became an excellent teacher
2 . DON’T BE AFRAID
Story: When opportunity comes knocking jump in and don’t worry if you don’t have the prior knowledge. I haven’t always done this. Living in Orleans, France, I was invited to join a Toastmasters Club. Instead of going to the club, I worried about having to give a speech in French to strangers and miss my opportunity to improve my French among genuine caring people. Many years later, and being a public figure in Doha, Qatar, I was asked to join a club- again! I knew that it was because I could advertise it on the radio or in the press, however this time I decided to find out more. It was life changing. I remained in Toastmasters for over 20 years and it taught me so much more than just public speaking.( which is what it is known for). I eventually met the people from that French club and regretted not having joined earlier! Toastmasters taught me about leadership, gave me confidence in my own abilities to make presentations, lead and mentor others.
3 .FIND A MENTOR WHO INSPIRES YOU
Story: After saying “YES” to a new opportunity, find someone that you admire to be your mentor! I have had many mentors!
One was a man named Dominique Chastres — the head of the French Broadcasting radio in Doha, Qatar. Always wanting to work on the radio — and hearing that the French station was hiring in Doha, I reached out to Dominique and got an interview. I was a little afraid of working in French, but Dominique saw potential in me. He questioned me first about my music knowledge, which was limited and decided I couldn’t be a DJ! He also saw something which prompted him to offer me an interview program and said he would train me. After working on the text for the introduction to my first guest ( a retired admiral of the French army) we worked on it together. After a couple of hours of “correcting” my style and my French- I walked out of Domiques’ office with a whole new text — only two words remaining from mine. I was excited and disappointed too, thinking I would never be able to accomplish my dream of having a show. However Dominique was there for me, encouraged me, helped me find my style, my radio voice and much more. I worked on both the French and Engish radio stations in Doha for 9 years
4 . REMEMBER YOU CAN ALWAYS QUIT!
Story: After the experience rewriting my text (above) and as I said, I was very discouraged. I almost decided not to follow my radio dream because I thought it was too challenging. However a friend gave me the best advice I have ever had. I grew up with a father that didn’t allow me to quit anything I started. I thought I had to always finish everything — no matter what! After telling a friend what had happened to me with my text she turned and said to me” Hey Joanne, go for it. If you don’t like the job, you can always quit.! That had never even occurred to me. WOW! Mind bending and liberating thought! So I thought ok she’s right- and I end up staying at one of the best jobs I’ve ever had for the 9 years I lived in Qatar! This experience led to much more — including learning how to write and being able to write my book- much later on!
5 . BECOME A MENTOR
Story: I have been a mentor to many people and have learned so much from them, just like my mentors have taught me. In my work today at Literacy Chicago, I have the opportunity to train people to teach reading to adults who, because their lives took them on a different path, never learned to read. Sometimes volunteers are afraid to jump in. I am there for them though and so many people have told me that I have inspired them just by helping prepare a lesson plan or by introducing them to the right student. This also goes for our students. One woman in particular could barely read a word when I met her in 2016. I have continually supported her, listened to her, coached her on anger management and found the right tutor for her. We love each other today and her reading is nearly at a 6th grade level. She has grown so much both in her reading and in her personal life. When she tells me its all because I pushed her, it makes me feel so wonderful! And another thing that makes me feel good is that I see her encouraging and helping others who are struggling with reading.
Being a volunteer, helping others, has actually showed in scientific research, that it helps ward off dementia So doing good for others, helps physically grow new brain connections!
What advice would you give to someone who feels stuck and unsure of how to start their personal growth journey?
Find an activity that you have always wanted to try- and go for it- if it is challenging remember you are growing new brain cells, warding off dementia by challenging your brain! It is NEVER too late to start something new!
Are there any books, podcasts, or other resources that have significantly contributed to your personal growth?
“The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
I would like to start a public campaign to make people aware of the low levels of literacy in our first world country, 48 million adults functionally illiterate and adults are the “forgotten generation” in terms of funding and support. ( I can expound on this- and have already spoken to the Illinois Secretary of State about this idea)
How can our readers further follow your work online?
LinkedIn: Joanne Telser-Frere
Read my book: 33 ways not to Screw Up Teaching Adults to Read
Follow LITERACY CHICAGO on Social Media
Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!
About The Interviewer: Dr. Carla Marie Manly — clinical psychologist, author, and advocate — is based in Sonoma County, California. In addition to her clinical practice focusing on relationships and personal transformation, Dr. Manly is deeply invested in her roles as podcaster and speaker. With a refreshingly direct and honest approach — plus a dose of humor — Dr. Manly enjoys supporting others in the ever-evolving journey of life. Her novel self-development paradigm builds resilience, emotional intelligence, and self-esteem. Highlighting the importance of loving connection, her work also focuses on helping others create deeply connected and satisfying intimate and social relationships. Working from a transformative model that honors the body-mind-spirit connection, Dr. Manly offers holistic relationship and wellness seminars around the world. An award-winning author, Dr. Manly’s books, The Joy of Imperfect Love, Date Smart, Joy from Fear, and Aging Joyfully highlight her empowering approach and profound expertise. Host of the captivating podcast, Imperfect Love, Dr. Manly offers uplifting guidance on navigating the messy road of life. Her expertise is also regularly cited in media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Forbes, Oprah, Newsweek, NBC, HuffPost, Reader’s Digest, Psychology Today, Parade, GQ, Women’s Health, Architectural Digest, Men’s Health, and more.
