MONROE — Seeing the first robin every spring always brings a little excitement to Ellen Hossman. It’s right around her birthday, falls during her favorite season and, to her, seeing the migratory songbird represents change, growth and renewal. 

This year, Hossman said when she looked out her window — she didn’t just see one robin — for the first time ever, she saw six. 

“I turned around and said ‘I’m retiring,’” she said. “It was one of those moments that said ‘it’s time for change.’” 

After serving as the Green County Literacy Council director for 14 years, she said it was at that moment she knew it was time pass the torch. She announced her plans to the board of directors at the following meeting and they began a search to replace her. 

“We all learn in life that when we listen to our hearts — it’s the right thing to do,” Hossman said.

Hossman worked closely with the Wisconsin Literacy Council to formulate a job description and became part of the hiring committee. 

As a handful of applicants came in, Hossman encouraged a woman named Karin Monzon Krimmer to apply for the position and she was eventually the person chosen for the job. She came to Monroe from Guatemala in 2006 with her two young boys at the time and they took full advantage of the literacy council and its services. 

Monzon Krimmer said when she looked at the job description, she was thrilled. Her two sons, one a recent college graduate and another just starting college, now away from home, she was looking for something else to fill her time.

“I was thinking I wanted more,” Monzon Krimmer said. “I was really nervous but at the same time I was really excited too because I know first hand the needs of the immigrants.”

She also sees the opportunity as a way to give back to the community after she feels she was given a better chance for a successful life.

“I was afraid when I didn’t know how to speak English,” Monzon-Krimmer said. “I was afraid to answer the phone and go to the grocery store.”

But after two years of classes with the literacy council in Monroe she said she “came out of the shadows” and was a part of the community. She learned from longtime tutor Lindsay Hyland, who has been a part of the program since it began in 1997. They eventually became friends.  

“The organization helped me build true bonds and friendships; it helped me with job opportunities, learning English, and my sons at school and around the community to be included,” Monzon Krimmer said.

She hopes to pass those same opportunities to others who come for help and is taking the position in stride. She and Hossman have been spending a lot of time together to ensure the transition goes smoothly.  

Hossman said the hiring committee felt Monzon Krimmer’s involvement with the council early on, time in Monroe and commitment to helping others would be beneficial to the organization with a strong foundation. 

“Our new director is a former ‘learner,’” Hossman said. “It’s proud for the board to say that.” A “learner” is what the council refers to as those who receive tutoring from them. 

Monzon Krimmer said she’s grateful for the opportunity. She became a U.S. citizen last year, and said it’s a direct result of the literacy council and community support.

Hossman has accomplished a lot with the council through the years and has taken big steps to ensure its success. She said she’s loved helping adults and children not only learn a new language, but also become citizens of the United States, earn GEDs or even accomplish something like obtaining a driver’s license. 

“I don’t think there’s anything that has touched me quite as deeply,” Hossman said. “There’s a sense of pride to empower adults to better their own lives. That’s what the literacy council does — one word at a time.”

Although Hossman’s official last day as director is June 30, she has assured Monzon Krimmer that she will be there to “walk her through unchartered waters of the literacy council.”

“I will continue to mentor her as a volunteer as long as she needs me,” Hossman said. “There’s a lot to learn.”

Hossman is proud to leave the council in what she feels is good hands after having such a supportive board through the years. 

Hossman has two grandchildren on the east coast and hopes to spend more time with them as soon as she’s able to travel. She’s made 15 dozen masks in her “downtime” and finished the literacy family quilt, which brought tears to her eyes. 

“I’ve really become part of their lives,” Hossman said. “It makes me sad knowing that part of my connection to the immigrant population will be lessened — but it will never be broken.”

The Green County Literacy Council is doing its best to provide learners with tutors during the COVID-19 crisis, but it hasn’t been easy with the library closed. They are currently working to provide more devices to continue lessons online when possible and continuously provide outreach. 

For more information, visit www.literacygreencountywi.org.