Last year, I began teaching Adult Basic Education (ABE) classes in the evening, Monday through Thursday on January 5th. At the time, my nonprofit employer had just merged with an alternative, year-long adult education center. As a result, my first day ended with a champagne toast. Of course, this had nothing to do with the fact I’d just completed my first day of work. Just terrific timing on my part.
So it’s rather fitting my last day of work dovetailed with another celebration: graduation. How wonderful I had the opportunity to mark my yearlong service in this way.
My last day at work also coincided with my second day of work at my new job, tutoring math full-time at a middle school. So, while my body still adjusted to working during the day, I had to rush home, eat, shower and dress up. I believe I pulled it off.
My only real duty prior to graduation was making sure the photographer knew which shots we wanted him to take. I relished the opportunity to “help the photographer.” After all, how often do I get this gussied up on a Tuesday?
Of course, he arrived at the venue before me and had already received instructions on the shots we wanted. Nonetheless, I helped him get the exposure correct.
Although we had a total of 55 students who’d successfully completed at least one of the four different educational courses we offer, I was especially proud of this particular student since she had originally been in my Chemistry class when I taught at an AISD high school.
Back then, she’d “disappeared.” In 2015, she enrolled into our ABE program, followed by the computer skills course, Job Readiness Program (JRP), and completed all the requirements of the GED (General Education Diploma) program, which consisted of four rigorous exams that some college graduates would fail. All that accomplishment along with giving birth to her son!
Throughout the school year, which goes year-round, the students formed friendships and celebrated one another’s achievements. So, this graduation provided a wonderful sense of closure as they moved forward with the rest of their lives.
Our key note speaker was Dr. Patricia Pickles, who I’d met at a free women’s empowerment conference, sponsored at a local community college. She was one of three women who I’d invited to speak to my students. Her moving talk brought both tears and newfound motivation to my class. In my email, where I thanked her for speaking to my students, I attached the volunteer documents since I wanted her to tutor at least once a week since my students liked her so much.
I was highly surprised a few weeks later when I discovered that she’d joined the organization as an Americorps volunteer–a much bigger commitment than the one I’d previously hope for.
So, I was not at all surprised that she accepted the opportunity to speak to the graduates. As per her usual heart-warming style, Dr. Pickles related some of the struggles from her life with what the graduates were going through.
Although a handful of my students had advanced through another course, I had the opportunity to hand one of my students his certificate for ABE. He was my symbolic good bye to all my evening adult students. My colleagues respected my request not tell the students I was leaving. As a matter of fact, I’d written all my ABE students, in a personalized collaged card, a note of encouragement for them to continue working toward their educational goal, which was delivered the next night.
For a second year in a row, I’ve started the new year with a new job. Let the games begin!