West Piedmont Regional Adult Education Blog

Franklin County Adult Education Commencement

Adult Education graduates (adult high school and GED program) from Franklin County were recognized on June 10 in the Franklin County High School Auditorium.  

Mr. Ronald Coleman, retired adult educator from Franklin County Adult Education, spoke to the graduates about choosing to view this evening as a crossroads in life. Where do you go from here? He challenged each one to keep looking toward the future. Jobs and lifestyles of the 1970’s, funded by furniture, textiles, and tobacco industries, have disappeared. Each must take the initiative to make things happen in his/her life. Each one can choose to be in front of the change that is coming - or else be behind it. He encouraged each new grad to use this ceremony as a stepping stone to get in front of that change and to be an active part in the new Franklin County.

McKenna Hamrick, daughter of Debbie Hamrick, director of Franklin County’s adult education program, delighted the audience with her version of The Star Spangled Banner.

Laurie Greer, adult education instructor, presented academic awards in the GED test content areas. Jerry Wayne Dalton won the award for perserverance.

Jerry Dalton received award for perserverance

Heather Hogan took top honors in Language Arts, Writing. Christina LeBlanc and Giana Romero tied for the highest score in social studies. Giana Romero also tied for highest score in math with Shana Messer. Giana took highest score in science as well, for a total of 3 highest score awards. Shana Messer also took highest score in language arts, reading, earning her the top award for highest total score.

Congratulations Class of 2010!

ABE/GED Summer School Schedules

Summer School Schedules

Franklin County

Days                                                              Time                     Instructor

GED Skills Class

Tuesdays & Thursdays (mornings)                8:30 – 11:30         D. Minor

Mondays & Wednesdays (days)                    12:30 – 2:30         D. Miller

Tuesdays & Thursdays (days)                        3:00 – 5:00           L. Greer

Tuesdays & Thursdays (evenings)                 5:30 – 8:30           L. Greer

Math Class

Mondays & Fridays (mornings)                      8:30 – 11:30         L. Greer

Tuesdays & Thursdays (days)                        12:30 – 2:30         L. Greer

Mondays & Wednesdays (evenings)              5:30 – 8:30           D. Minor

Test Prep Class                                         

Wednesdays & Fridays (mornings)                8:30 – 11:30         D. Miller

Thursdays & Fridays (days)                           12:30 – 2:30         Minor/Miller

Mondays & Wednesdays (days)                    3:00 – 5:00           D. Minor

Thursdays (evenings)                                     5:30 – 8:30           D. Miller

Call 540-483-0179 for more information.

Henry County

Henry County Adult Education will be relocating the week of June 21 to:

Center for Community Learning
340 Ridgedale Drive
Martinsville, VA 24112

Call 276-632-6017 for class schedules both before and after June 21.

Martinsville (Summer Semester: June 1 – July 13)

ABE Math                               Monday & Wednesday           9:00 – 11:00 AM

GED Math                               Monday & Wednesday           12:00 – 2:00 PM

ABE Reading                          Tuesday & Thursday              9:00 – 11:00 AM

GED Reading                         Tuesday & Thursday              12:00 – 2:00 PM

Call 276-403-5466 for more information.

Patrick County

Spring Semester Ends:      June 2

First Summer Break:           June 7 – June 18

Summer Semester:             June 21 – July 2

Second Summer Break:     July 5 – July 16

Summer Session:                July 19 – July 30

Third Summer Break:          August 2 – August 6

Fall Semester Begins:        August 11

Call 276-694-6542 for class schedule and/or more information.

Pittsylvania County

Spring Semester Ends:  June 10 (evening classes end May 27)

Summer School:  June 28 - July 27

Mon                 8:30AM – 1:30 PM (Adult Learning Center only)

Tues                8:30AM – 1:30 PM (Adult Learning Center only)

Weds               8:30AM – 1:30 PM (Adult Learning Center only)

Fall Semester Begins:  August 12

Call 434-432-7243 or 434-432-9417 for more information.

Martinsville City Public Schools GED Graduation Ceremony

Martinsville City Public Schools held its first Adult Education Commencement Exercies on Tuesday, June 1 at Martinsville High School auditorium. Stacey Wright, Program Manager for West Piedmont Regional Adult Education, presided over the commencement ceremony.

City Councilman, Mark C. Stroud, Sr. shared his story with the 2010 graduates. He was elected to Martinsville City Council 2 years ago, was Patrick Henry Community College’s male student of the year in 1995, and in 2010 was one of 5 who received the Project Lifesaver award. And in 1980, he received his GED certificate. Councilman Stroud applauded the graduates and their families for the commitment they made to their education and future. He encouraged them to continue learning and growing so they can look back on their lives and see their accomplishments and be proud.

Justin Hatfield, 2010 graduate, asked his classmates to thank their teachers. He shared with the audience that he’d moved to Martinsville and joined GED classes there after his father was killed in Afghanistan. Justin is now a student at PHCC with plans to suceed in whatever he does in life.

Todd Barnes, former Director of Adult Education for Martinsville City Schools, delivered the keynote address. Mr. Barnes’ sense of humor encouraged the audience to laugh while they absorbed his message with rules for life:  1)  It’s not how you start, but how you finish; 2) Don’t do anything you’ll look back and wonder why you did it; 3) Mrs. Grogan’s law (never assume someone knows what they’re doing just because they wear a suit or hold a high position); 4) if you’re going to fail, fail big; 5) Pappa’s law (nobody else is paying as much attention to your failures as you are, so build a bridge to get over it and get on with life.

Graduates received certificates, flip their tassels, and marched out of the auditorium with heads held high, wide smiles, and teary eyes. Their proud families joined them for a reception following the ceremony.

GED Success Story

Determination is Davis Hancock’s middle name. There were considerable obstacles in his path to obtaining a GED credential, but he refused to let those obstacles block him from his goal.

Davis did not possess strong reading skills. So he set about improving them by reading everything he could. This single father even asked his 7 year old daughter, Shanielle, to help him with his reading. Strong family support kept him focused during this time.

When he enrolled in GED classes, Davis walked an hour and from class each day carrying a backpack full of textbooks. For a month, his dedication to learning kept him busy 16 hours a day, 7 days a week. Then Davis took the GED test and successfully completed 4 of the 5 subjects. He refused to be discouraged and applied those newly found study habits to strengthening his math skills. One month later, he passed his math test and received his GED certificate.

Davis says that he had an attitude problem as a teenager. He didn’t feel that an education was necessary nor worth his time and effort.  A poor employment record and lack of education eventually led him to nearly 3 years of unemployment.

“I looked in the mirror one day and realized that I had to do better for my kids. At that moment, I changed my life and stopped doing some things I had been doing. I saw a commercial on TV for the GED test. The next day I went to The Franklin Center and enrolled in class. It was not easy, but I walked by faith every day that I could do this. And I did. ”

After passing the GED test, Davis began working towards an associate’s degree in criminal justice administration at Patrick Henry Community College, Franklin Site. Once he receives that degree, Davis is considering two options:  a military career or pursuing a law degree.

Davis feels that obtaining his GED credential is the biggest accomplishment of his life (other than being a good father to his two children, Shanielle, now 8, and Xzavier, 5). “Now I see pride in my children’s eyes. And when I look at them, failure is not an option.”

GED Graduation Ceremonies

All of us in adult education programs throughout the West Piedmont region believe in celebrating every one of our GED Success Stories. That’s why our localities hold graduation ceremonies to honor their local grads. As the 2008-2009 school year comes to a close, all of us who work with the GED program in the West Piedmont region would like to congratulate all of our GED recipients. We applaud you for a job well done! We also would like to acknowledge and thank your families and friends for supporting you while you were pursuing your credentials.

To all of our GED recipients:  congratulations and best wishes for a prosperous future! We are proud of you for making the commitment to your goal and sticking to it. Please don’t stop learning; let your new credential be the stepping stone to other things.

A Patrick County GED Success Story

“Getting my GED has been such a blessing to me. It changed the course of my life. It changed my attitude. It changed my family’s life.”

Teresa Newman began working at StarTek, Inc. five years ago shortly after getting her GED certificate. Since then she has been promoted twice, most recently to the position of professional interviewer. Teresa was quick to point out that StarTek believes in education so strongly that GED classes are actually held on site and employees are given the opportunity to attend those classes and to take the GED test.

Like so many area adults, Teresa left high school at a point in time where jobs were easy to find. Over the years, she worked her way up the ranks to manager of Goody’s. However, Teresa wanted to do other things with her life but she needed more education to do those things.

The first step was obtaining her GED credential. She enrolled in classes at the Patrick County Adult Learning Center in Stuart. “Once I got my GED, I just wanted to keep on learning. It opened doors and networks for me. I was able to meet people of other walks of life – I was even invited to meet Governor Mark Warner when he came to Stuart a few years ago! That happened because I now have my GED certificate.”

“Education is more valuable than money or a paycheck – it’s your bus ticket to a better life. Getting my GED helped to free me from the constant struggle of the lack of money. It affords the opportunity to get a better job. Options are much slimmer without education. And it excites the mind, exercises the brain. I want to keep learning.” Teresa is serious about continuing to learn and tries to take at least one college level class per semester.

Teresa’s husband, James, received his GED credential several years ago and was among PHCC’s 430 graduates this year. With pride glowing in her face, she spoke of how James career with VDOT has grown as he has worked towards his associate’s degree. That would not have been an option before he took his GED test.

Teresa and James have two grown sons. The oldest son, Brian, graduated from high school, while Gabriel also received his GED certificate in 2006.

“I was forty when I decided to take the GED test. I am here to tell you that it’s not the end of the line – even at 40. The mind is a world of unprecedented opportunity. If you can read and write, you can learn anything. Look at what it’s done for me. I love my job. I love my life.”

Teresa studied for her GED test through the Patrick County Adult Learning Center in Stuart. For more information, call 1-276-694-6542. For information about GED classes in other areas of the West Piedmont region, contact 1-888-GED-4ALL or 1-540-484-1281.

A Franklin County GED Success Story

“I drove around the building 4 times before I got up enough nerve to go inside! What were they going to think when they saw a 47 year old woman walking through the door, wanting to get her GED?” Diane Bernard finally mustered the courage to go inside the Adult Education Center – West Campus Franklin County High School in Rocky Mount. Seven months later, she walked out those doors with her GED certificate.

“Everyone at the center was very understanding. I took the TABE test and didn’t do very well. I had trouble with fractions and percents. Debbie Hamrick, Laurie Greer, Max and everyone were wonderfully supportive, even to providing large pencils for my arthritic hands.” Diane credits the team, now located at the Franklin Center, with providing her the emotional support along with the knowledge and skill needed to qualify for her GED credential. “Laurie is not just a teacher; this is not just a job for her – or for anyone here. Debbie, Nancy, and everyone here go the extra mile to make a difference in their students’ lives.”

Diane describes September 14, 1971 as the day that changed her life when, at the age of 15 ½ years old, she got married, quit school, and went to work. She had always wanted to go back to school but life, family, and work had always taken precedence. Known around town as the dry-cleaning lady, Diane was forced to leave her job because of medical issues. Looking for a new line of work after 32 years meant confronting that lack of education.

Once the door to learning was opened, Diane didn’t stop with just her GED certificate. She received a certificate from Patrick Henry Community College in Microsoft Technology Applications. After that, she began volunteering at the Franklin Center. That led to more training and certifications in TABE and BEST tests and eventually to a part time job at the Franklin Center. She is now the person that gives the assessments that scared her so much a few years ago.

“The day I graduated was like a spiritual thing for me,” she says. As she walked across the stage, she heard her grown son shout, “You go Mom!” Diane will proudly watch that same son walk across the stage in June at his own GED graduation ceremony.

“Everyone should feel the feeling I had when I walked across that stage. It was a big accomplishment for me. Now I’m adult education’s biggest recruiter.” Diane encourages everyone who does not have a high school diploma to come by the Franklin Center to see what they need to do to be ready to take the GED test. “I’ll be the one who gives you your assessment. We’ll talk. I’ll know what you’re feeling because I’ve sat in your chair. We’ll help you figure things out.”

When asked if she has advice for anyone who needs a GED certificate, Diane replies, “You’re never too old to learn. To get your GED or go to college, you will need the support of your family. They need to understand that you have homework so supper or laundry may be on the back burner today. But that means that when you get your GED, your family should get a pat on the back too. I couldn’t have done this without the support of my husband, Gordon. You’ll need someone in your corner too.”
Diane Bernard is a true GED Success Story. She obtained her GED credentialing certificate and has now become a lifelong learner who wants to help others who need to start down the education highway. Diane says to all “Come on down to the Franklin Center at 50 Claiborne Avenue or call us at 540-483-0179. We’ll be there with you the whole way – from the time you get started until you walk across that stage with your GED certificate in your hand.”

A Henry County GED Success Story

Tommy Ferguson’s story is similar to many others in the West Piedmont region. He worked as facility maintenance mechanic for 18 ½ years at Eden Yarns, where his wife, Janice, also worked. Then last November, Hanesbrands, Inc. announced that it was closing the Eden Yarns facility. Suddenly, husband and wife were both out of work.

Like many teenagers, Ferguson left school in the 10th grade because he wanted money to buy a car. Even though a high school diploma was considered important back then, it took second place to his desire for a car. He enlisted in the navy and registered to take the GED test while stationed in Naples, Italy, but a snafu kept him from taking the test. He put getting his GED credential on the back burner where it sat until he lost his job in November.

Tommy Ferguson chose to turn the event into a positive experience instead of becoming angry or depressed about losing his job. He immediately began studying for the GED exam even before he could enroll in class.

“I have always wanted to be a police officer,” Ferguson explained. “So I went to GED class, passed the test, and now I am at Patrick Henry Community College studying administrative justice. I never dreamed I’d find myself back in school – but it feels good in a lot of ways. I appreciate school more now than I did when I was a kid. I’m hoping to get a job doing what I’ve always wanted to do. Plus I feel that I am setting a better example for my son, Clifton, who’s 16. I want him to finish high school and go on to college too.”

Ferguson attended GED classes at the Center for Community Learning located at the old Figsboro Elementary School. He credits the faculty and staff there for helping him prepare to take the GED test. In particular, he says Lynn Fitzgibbons and Ann Yale constantly offered encouragement. “If I had known that classes would have been interesting and that the test was not too bad, I would have gotten my GED certificate years ago. I would encourage anyone today who has not gotten theirs to sign up for GED classes – and if you live in Henry County, go see Ms. Fitzgibbons.”

The Center for Community Learning is located at 340 Ridgedale Ave, Martinsville, VA 24112 Telephone 276-638-1668

What’s your GED success story?

Do you have a GED success story? If so, we’d love to hear from you. Post your story here. Or send us the link to your YouTube video. Remember to keep it rated PG.

GED Success Story