Adult and Community Education – Palm Beach County Student Success Stories

Adult and Community Education provides comprehensive instructional programs designed to improve the employability of the state’s workforce by increasing the number and percentage of adult education students who enter postsecondary education and earn a degree, certificate and/or industry credential.

ACE-Leon Adult Education Success Story Videos

Leon County Adult and Community Education School shares many of their success stories via their Facebook page. The mission of Adult & Community Education (ACE) Leon is to provide educational opportunities, through the use of school and community resources, enabling learners to become responsible, independent contributors in the community in which they live and work.

Click on the link below to view their success story videos:

http://aceleon.org/student-stories

Joshua Thompson – 2019 ACE Conference Sunshine Success Story

Joshua Collins Thompson came to Lake Technical College on April 22, 2016 as a 16-year-old kid- freckles, braces, ‘kinda goofy,’ unsure of himself and no thoughts of a career. He left in November, 2018 as a mature and responsible, young man, fully- equipped with his high school diploma and certificate in both Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning 1 and 2. It took 2 years and 4 months, but he accomplished his goals and this young kid became a man. His initial TABE scores were low, and he struggled with the math concepts as well as reading comprehension. It took repeated review, practice, strategizing and retesting.  Josh loved school, though. He was excited to come to class each day, and he interacted happily with all his classmates and engaged readily in group discussions and activities. He was an inspiration to the class and instructors by his consistent display of elation and zeal for life and learning. In June 17, 2018, Josh was enrolled in Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Heating (HVAC) as an Integrated Education and Training (Pathway Plus Program or P3) student. Still needing to raise TABE scores in both math and reading, he took on the challenge of a GEDi and embraced the undertaking of GED preparation integrated with his HVAC curriculum. The HVAC curriculum would come first, and in August 2018, Josh graduated from the HVAC 1 program. Having taken GED Ready’s in all subject areas, just science was above passing. He would graduate HVAC 1 and need to return in the fall for HVAC 2 wherein the RLA, math, and social studies test still lay before him. Josh brought sunshine to the classroom with his infectious smile and became known to the staff as, “Smiley.” You would think this young kid, with his big grin lived happy ever after story life. Not so much-Josh was has been raised by his paternal grandmother ever since his mom passed away and his dad was incarcerated.  Born with the congenital disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Josh deals with health and medical challenges every day. Abdominal pain and constant trips to the doctor and hospital, change of medication, surgeries and diet are all part of his normal routine. Yet, he is always smiling.  His smile continues to show his inner perseverance – a smile that wins the hearts of all who meet him.  Josh encourages each of us by the witness of his life and determination. The road to his high school diploma and trade certification did not come easy nor quickly.  Josh had to endure many attempts at TABE and GED testing. Frequent bouts of discomfort, pain, and days in the Emergency Room put kinks in his plan and rescheduling became part of the routine.  Communication with GED accommodations line was another obstacle, and here, I think Josh made the greatest gains to adulthood.  In the many, many, did I say many, phone calls and on hold hours, Smiley learned to stay smiling and deal with matters as adults need to do. When Smiley left in November 2018, the braces and curly hair were all gone.  He had grown a foot in height, but also stood taller for he had reached the goals he set for himself. New goals now lay ahead of him; one other goal has been achieved. He now works in the commercial HVAC field putting into practice what he learned and learning new things.  While his disease works against him, Josh continues on. The smile is still broad, and his personality is still infectious. He has touched everyone at Lake Tech in a profound way — one that will stay with us long after he has gone out and made the world a better place. For we know he will make the world out there a better place for we have seen his impact first-hand here on our campus. It has been an honor and privilege to be a part of his journey and know we are all better people for walking with him. A quote that Josh lives by is “Someone always has it harder than you. Keep that in mind as you keep moving onward. Live for today. You can’t change the past or be certain of the future.”

Kiara Coby – 2018 ACE Conference Sunshine Success Story

Kiara has had severe anxiety and depression all through school and she always had bad experiences with teachers telling her that she wouldn’t make it and what’s the purpose of her being here.  This got worse in the 8^th grade and she dropped out.  In addition, her mother suffered a mini stroke and as a result, she and her family ended up being homeless.  Almost her whole life, Kiara and her family have been in one shelter or another.  Kiara’s attendance was so poor that her mother got into legal trouble because of the truancy. Kiara had eventually gotten a job in childcare, but got laid off after 5 years. While unemployed, she realized that for her to get another job or a quality job, she would have to get her education.  There is no free ride out there anymore.

Kiara used to feel like why try? She was crippled by the fear of returning to school.  The big moment, however was last year’s graduation, her sister decided that she was going to go to ALCO to get her diploma.  She did online classes and was able to get her diploma.  Kiara was in the audience and decided for the new year of 2018 that she was going to go to school. Kiara immediately tested into the GED prep classes even though she was out of school for so long.

Kiara says that she knows what it feels like to feel dumb; feel counted out.  She would hear other students beat up on themselves.   There were times when she felt she was broken, crying on the floor.  Even through those times, Kiara didn’t give up.  She would still read; she read the dictionary because she thought she could learn to speak well if she knew big words.  Though Kiara had anxiety and depression as obstacles, there was always that part of her that wanted to be an educated woman.

At 26, Kiara decided she deserved this; a chance at new opportunities and a new life. It started with a belief in herself and it manifested before her eyes with hard work and a lot of studying. She created wristbands to wear to remind herself and other students that they can achieve anything and reaffirm their self-worth. The wristbands read, “I can. I will. I did. I am greatness.” It’s a declaration that you can achieve the impossible and overcome any perceived obstacle.

Kiara started Valencia in August and will eventually go UCF to complete her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. If she had listened to the naysayers, she wouldn’t be here today. It might not come easy and much effort will be required but remember

“Life’s battles don’t always go

To the stronger or faster man;

But sooner or later, the man who wins

Is the man who thinks he can!”

Tabita Lepindea – A Success Story

Tabita is a Romanian immigrant who lived a harsh life under Communist rule.  Before the Revolution, she and her family experienced extreme rations on food, water and electricity.  At the age of 18, her family moved to the United States – a long-time dream of hers.

She worked as a full-time nanny for 4 years, which allowed her to save money and eventually pursue another dream:  attending art school.  She attended art school in Chicago.  Several years later, Tabita returned to school to earn her high school diploma through the Lee County GED Program.  At the time of enrollment, Tabita was battling with many struggles.  However, she turned school into a refuge where she could escape and focus on goals.  Tabita’s determination molded her into a highly successful and motivated woman.  To her, the GED program was the foundation for her educational triumph and helped build her confidence through the encouragement of her teachers.

Tabita earned her diploma in only two semesters all while maintaining a job and dealing with life’s numerous trials.  The faculty unanimously selected her as the student speaker for the graduation ceremony where she delivered an inspiring speech to a crowd of over 1,000 people.  Immediately following graduation, she enrolled at Florida Southwestern State College and began her coursework to become a Physician’s Assistant.  At FSW she maintained a 3.81 GPA and was recognized by several professors as a leader in the classroom.  She is currently awaiting acceptance from Miami-Dade College’s P.A. program.  Her ultimate goal is to open her own clinic as a P.A.

Along with being a full-time student and maintaining a job, Tabita dedicates much of her spare time each week volunteering with the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity and the Salvation Army, and her local church.

Quote from student:

“You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.”

Darlin Guerra – A Success Story

Meeting the 24 year old Cuban, Darlin Guerra might give you the impression that she is all smiles, but underneath that facade there is this strong-willed and determined student who has always had her eyes and mind set on one target, becoming a doctor. Born and raised in Matanzas, Cuba, her parents worked very hard to give them decent conditions and a good education.  Darlin loved spending time with her grandmother and when she got sick, she was by her side day and night taking care of her. This traumatic experience led her to pursue her interest in the field of medicine.

Although her mother was an experienced dental hygienist and her father a well-seasoned English teacher, they haven’t been able to work in their respective fields for many reasons. Darlin has had to steer the wheel for the entire family to support them financially. She drove her parents to work and school, she attended her younger brother’s PTA meetings. She got up at 4:30 a.m. to start working by 5:00 a.m. After her shift she would drive miles to attend school. It was a huge sacrifice on her part, but that didn’t decrease her perseverance and determination.

Her unwavering desire to learn and pursue her dreams paid off when she was accepted into a local community college to continue studying medicine.  Darlin is now enrolled in the Hillsborough Community College to study medicine.