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Adult Learner Success

Shakita Boyd

Shakita always loved school as a child, but instability disrupted her education. She spent her childhood in foster care and group homes due to her mother’s drug addiction. Shakita knew how challenging life would be without her education and was determined not to repeat her mother’s mistakes. “Regardless of what I was told, regardless of what program had tried to convince me that I wasn’t smart enough, I would get my diploma,” Shakita recalls. She faced many setbacks and challenges and started and stopped different programs over the course of ten years. When the pandemic hit and the testing center closed, Shakita was crushed, and she considered giving up. Then, she learned about a program that offered virtual classes and would loan her the technology she needed to continue. Finally, in December 2020, Shakita earned her high school credential. Shakita is passionate about helping people who, like her, have been discouraged and told they can’t achieve their dreams. Her next step is to enroll in community college to study environmental science. She then plans to transfer to a state college to study political science. She dreams of one day becoming President.

Alberto Rolando Hernandez

Alberto worked as a paralegal in Mexico City and came to the U.S. to pursue the American Dream. He knew he needed to learn English to succeed and enrolled in a Beginning Literacy class. As his language skills improved, he qualified for an employment preparation class and sought to become a technology instructor. Through this program and with family support he developed skills in time management, organizational strategies, and goal setting. Vocational Rehabilitation Services supported him in job development and accessing assistive techniques to help him succeed. Alberto plans to become a fully certified teacher for the visually impaired. For Alberto, persistence has been the driving force helping him to achieve his academic, personal and professional goals.

Gudelia Contreras

Gudelia came to the United States almost 25 years ago. Earning her GED diploma in Spanish at Oregon Adult Basic Skills, and improving her English reading and writing skills, propelled her from the brutal work on the processing floor of a fish cannery to HR and QC responsibilities. Gudelia then began doing her own outreach work, tutoring students for the Spanish GED and teaching English-speaking volunteers basic Spanish so they could better communicate with students. Five years ago, she was hired by a nonprofit to provide health outreach to low-income clients. Her good work earned her a spot on the boards of Seaside Providence Foundation and the Clatsop Community College Foundation. In 2018, she earned an associate degree from Clatsop Community College, and is now enrolled full-time at Portland State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Spanish with a minor in Black Studies/Latin America. Her goal is to become a professor. Gudelia is a testament to literacy and adult education programs and how they empower students to take charge of their futures and their families and fully participate in our communities.

Sandra Zavala

Sandra journeyed to the U.S. from Peru to give her son a better life. She stepped into her classes determined to grow. Learning was not without challenges—she navigated the public transportation system to work three jobs while also attending school. In June 2017, Sandra earned her high school equivalency diploma with her son proudly in attendance. One year later she was hired as the English Language Learner Paraprofessional/Secretary at Wayne Township Adult Education. As Sandra welcomes new students, she talks about the challenges on the journey while emphasizing the rewards awaiting each person who remains dedicated to their dreams. “Sandra is a role model who inspires our staff, our students, and our community. She exudes confidence, optimism and her determination is impacting the lives of hundreds of new immigrants,” says Christy McIntyre-Gray of Wayne Township Adult Education.

Marty Finsterbusch

For 20 years, Marty Finsterbusch has led VALUEUSA, an organization devoted to giving voice to adult learners and developing leadership opportunities. “Whether adult learners can read or write, or whether they have learning disabilities, they can lead,” Marty explains. His commitment to adult education started with his own experience as an adult learner in the 1980s when he sought help for a learning disability that made it difficult for him to use written text. VALUEUSA currently connects with 2,500 adult learners and organizations nationally. It initiated two major research/evaluation projects, one to evaluate learner leadership and its outcomes and the other to identify barriers to entering adult education and solutions to support adult participation. As National Coalition for Literacy president from 2012 to 2014 and organized quadrennial Congressional visits by learners, fostering literacy “champions” in Congress.

Yang He

Yang moved to Minnesota from Beijing, China, in December 2015, with her husband and two young daughters, Keyu and Miranda. Yang and her husband wanted the girls to have more opportunities than they had growing up in China. Her first year in the U.S. was very difficult. Yang felt very lonely and was nervous to go out into the community because she didn’t feel confident speaking English. She especially worried about her daughters who had been bubbly and social in China but isolated here due to language and cultural barriers. Despite these hardships, with the help of St. Paul Public Schools, they have become more comfortable in their new home. Yang plans to enter Concordia University soon and get her teaching license so she can become an elementary teacher.

Sabrina LeVan

Seven years ago, Sabrina–and her service dog Saddie–enrolled in the ASPIRE program to give learning another chance. Sabrina is an example of what it takes to find the tools and solutions to persevere in the face of adversity and embrace lifelong learning. She has grown her skills substantially and is well on her way to earning her high school equivalency diploma. Sabrina has balanced caring for three children, single motherhood, extensive surgeries, the transportation barriers inherent in Appalachia, and even homelessness, while pursing her educational goals. Once a reluctant learner, she is now referred to by her peers as “That really smart girl with the dog!” Sabrina hopes to pursue a postsecondary degree in animal science with an ultimate goal of training service dogs.

Cecilia DeLeon

Outstanding Adult Learner 2020

Cecilia battled stomach cancer and raised two children on her own while pursuing her GED diploma at Whatcom Community College. She became an advocate for other victims of sexual assault while also serving members of her community as a translator and resource. She has truly demonstrated leadership while overcoming the most difficult of circumstances. When Cecilia sets her mind to something, it will get done and done well. Helpful, engaged and encouraging, Cecilia brings out the best in her fellow students.

Karmel Radan

Karmel grew up in the foster care system and endured an abusive childhood. She taught herself to read and write with the only books in the house—the Bible and a set of encyclopedias. Despite having no formal schooling, Karmel earned her GED® diploma after a mere 10 months of study. She is now a 4.0 student in college and leader on campus with dreams of a career in medicine or business. “I want to help people who believe the negative about themselves and don’t see that they are unique and have many possibilities,” Karmel explains. “They are smart and they are capable—they just don’t know it yet.”

Dov Yaffe

Dov’s studies have created more stability and security for his family of five. While pursuing his GED diploma, Dov was co-enrolled in Austin Community College’s Ability to Benefit program and began taking college credit classes. He earned his diploma in December of 2018 and a Level 1 Certificate in Network Administration the following year. He is currently pursuing his associate degree and plans to continue his internship Housing Authority of the City of Austin. Dov has become a mentor to his peers. He donated time outside of class and provided students with equipment and encouragement to help them succeed in their studies.

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