Diane Portnoy

Diane Portnoy is co-founder and director of The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc. (ILC), a not-for-profit adult learning center that provides free English classes to immigrants and refugees so they can lead productive lives in the U.S. and become successful workers, parents and community members.  The ILC also promotes immigrants as assets to America.

Ms. Portnoy saw first-hand the growing influx of immigrants and refugees to this country during the 1980’s who were in need of English language services.  Out of concern for their plight, which stems from her own immigrant background as the daughter of Holocaust survivors, she co-founded The ILC in November 1992.
 
She is a Massachusetts certified teacher in adult basic education and in grades K-8.  She received her B.S. in Elementary Education from Boston University and her M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Cornell University.   Ms. Portnoy and the school have received numerous awards locally and nationally.  These include: the Boston Mayor’s Office of New Bostonians Community Leadership Award (2006); the Celebrate Literacy Award, the International Reading Association and the Greater Boston Council (2005); Massachusetts Literacy Champion, the Massachusetts Literacy Foundation (2003); Ellis Island Medal of Honor (2001); Community Service Provider of the Year Award, Malden Chamber of Commerce (2001); Best Practices Award, the Nellie Mae Education Foundation and the New England Literacy Resource Center; Valley Forge Freedom Foundation National Award (1998); and the North Shore Black Women’s Association Community Leadership Award (1996).

Ms. Portnoy is active in community, educational and civic organizations and is a sought-after speaker on adult education, immigrant issues and the positive impact immigrants have on the economy as entrepreneurs, workers and consumers.

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