Teaching adult education is the most rewarding and intellectually stimulating work I have ever done. As I help students find the motivation to learn, I form close relationships with them and feel their accomplishments as if they were my own.

The students at Victory adult education center are very diverse. They are all different ages and come from many different backgrounds. Unfortunately, all of them, for one reason or another, fell through the cracks in the public education system. Most are attempting to get their high school diplomas, but some would just like to learn how to read. For students that have had bad experiences with educational institutions, or have been out of school for some time, it is very difficult to stay motivated unless they have a personal goal. Helping each student find a goal that he or she feels is important, is fundamental to the success of our program.

The classes that we teach at Victory are intended to provide knowledge of life skills that open up new opportunities for students. For many students, learning math and writing skills builds their confidence and inspires them to enroll in college classes or train for a new career. Encouraging students to stay motivated and reach ever higher also motivates me to do the same.

Making an effort to reach each individual student and trying to keep our classes fresh and interesting can be a challenge, but a very worthwhile and stimulating one. Many of our students have had trouble in school. They are in need of individual attention and work at different paces. Whether we are successful or not is dependant on being able to hold the students’ attention and keep them from getting frustrated.

My students at Victory and the work I do there give me a feeling of accomplishment that I share with the students. We can all feel that we are doing something very worthwhile that improves our lives and makes us more well-rounded individuals.

Alice Kanaka

Tutor, Victory adult education center