November 3, 2004
How
Adult Education and Family Literacy Changed my Life
As a child growing up I thought life would be fun and exciting- nothing to worry about. In my case that was not true. I had to be the mom figure in my home. My parents divorced when I was six years old. During my parents divorce it was just me and my father. My mother was a very sick alcoholic who suffered from manic depression. At the time we did not know that she had this illness. I took the divorce personally and thought my mother did not love me anymore. That played with my emotions for along time, as I did not see my mother until I was a sophomore in high school.
My father met a woman and married her by the time I
had turned seven. I learned quickly that I had an abusive and alcoholic
stepmother. I had to take care of the house, cooking, cleaning, and keeping up
with my duties like school, but school was never a priority for me. I think my
friends at school were my priority because they treated me as if they cared
about me. I can remember growing up in my house I never felt loved. My father
was a police officer and a workaholic. In my stepmother’s eyes I could not to
no right. I was going to be “ just like my mother”. In my teenage years I
rebelled pretty badly and at the age of seventeen I ran away from home. Anything
was better than living at home with my family-so I thought. I was happy staying
with certain friends until their parents found out that I was a runaway. At that
point I became homeless. I had a
very hard time trying to find a job because I did not have an address. At
the age of nineteen I got my first break. I was picking through a garbage can
out side of a restaurant when the manager came out and took me inside and gave
me something to eat. He wanted to know if I would like a job. I was so happy. I
took this generous man's offer and became a waitress on the graveyard shift
serving food. I slept in the park behind the establishment and walked to an
apartment complex and bathed in the sink where the pool house was every night
before work. Within two weeks my manager told me he would put a deposit on an
apartment if I would pay him back a little at a time. I was so grateful to this
person that I devoted three years of my life to becoming one of the best
waitress’ he had. Unfortunately a chain of restaurants was buying the building
and they had to remodel which meant I would be out of a job. I found other
employment quickly and continued to work in the food business for many years. I
also worked in the bartending business.
All of these jobs never really were enough for me. I always wanted more
for myself, but how could I? I did not have a high school diploma. At the age of
twenty-four I had my daughter and a relationship with her dad that failed. I
knew I could not work in this type of environment forever. I tried going to an
adult education site in the middle of town but the classes were hard for me. I
needed more of a mentor to help me through the classes. I dropped out within the
first month.
At the age of twenty-eight, I met a wonderful family man at the place where I was working at the time. Within six weeks, I married him. We became an instant family as he had three children and I had one. I quit my job within the first three months of our marriage which was a good thing because I found out I was going to have a baby in December. I was a stay at home mom with all five kids for seven years and I have always been involved in our children’s education. I became the secretary of the Parent Teacher Organization in 1995 in my children’s school. At that time I started to volunteer at their school whenever I could. I was P.T.O. secretary for two years. My kids had switched schools because the zoning in our area changed, and the school district was building a new school. The opening of the new school came in 1998 and I was elected P.T.O. secretary. I kept that position for two years and became P.T.O. President in 2000. I have held that office for four years and have stepped down from the position as of 2004-2005 school year. I had to prioritize my life and studies.
In 1999 my child started kindergarten, so now all five children were in
school. I took this opportunity to
volunteer every day at the school. One
day I came in to volunteer and the principal at the time approached me and said
“Since you’re here every day volunteering, why don’t I pay you?"
He offered me a job. I was
so grateful, but here was a problem. I didn’t have a diploma, and I really
wanted this job. This is where I needed to be.
I had to decline the offer and explain that I didn’t have a diploma.
I had developed a relationship in the Family Literacy program at Summit
View Elementary through P.T.O.
meetings. I went to Mrs. Ramirez,
who was the Family Literacy teacher at that time.
I explained my situation and expressed my deep interest in becoming a
member of the Family Literacy Program. Mrs.
Ramirez gladly welcomed me.
When I first enrolled I felt very intimated and scared that I would not
fit in because all of the students spoke Spanish except for me.
I learned very quickly that all the ladies welcomed me, and I was treated
no differently form any other person. I
feel what motivated me to enroll was the incredible bond that I saw
between all the members in the Family Literacy Program when I visited the
program on different occasions. I
observed a special relationship and a support system for a group of women who
were trying to accomplish some of the same things such as getting their G.E.D.,
learning how to speak English, helping children with their academics with
training in the Parent and Child Together Program (P.A.C.T). and obtaining their
citizenship. I had no
self-confidence in my ability to succeed. I
always felt as though I had failed myself as a person.
I think what made me finally realize I could do it was the positive
support I received form the program. One person in particular really believed in
me. That person is Cecilia Ramirez.
Cecilia also took time for every on or us individually to see what was
going on in our lives. We were not
“just another student”. We were
also her friends. I think that was
one of the things that made the program so special. Cecilia also taught us a
very important life skill that you need to set goals for yourself. When you
reach those goals, you need to celebrate and set new goals. Cecilia was so calm
to say, “You can do it Paula. You
are going to pass the test." She was right.
On December 20, 2000, I received my High School Equivalency Diploma.
In February of 2001, I was hired and working for the Sunnyside
Unified School District in the Special Education Department at Summit View
Elementary School.
Now that I had overcame this obstacle, I wanted to set new
goals for myself, which I did. I
really wanted to attend college and needed to inquire about this big step in my
life. Where was I going to get he
money? How was I going to attend
classes? I did not know anything about college.
Just when I thought Family Literacy had disappeared out of my life,
something amazing happened. In
April of 2001, Mrs. Ramirez approached me inquiring if I had would be interested
in going to Pima College. I was
honored that she had thought of me and gladly accepted the offer.
I really did not think I would be chosen as there were many other people
also being recommended. In May I
received a letter that I had won a full year scholarship to Pima College because
of Cecilia Ramirez’ letter of recommendation and the Family Literacy program.
In August of 2001 I started my first year at Pima College!
I felt so proud of myself and little by little my self-esteem has gone
up. It seems that every time I turn around something amazing is
happening. In 2003 I received a
letter from Pima College regarding my grades.
I had been chosen for the National Honor Society and Phi Theta Kappa
Society. On March 25, 2003 I
proudly accepted the award with many other honorees.
I can not describe to you the feeling I had. I looked back on my life and was ecstatic about the
accomplishment I had and was still making.
Also in March I learned that Adult education was in jeopardy of loosing
their funding. I was very angry and disappointed with the decision. I wanted to
help any way I could. The adult education and the Family Literacy program
contacted me. They asked me if I would be interested in sharing my story and
feelings on behalf of Family Literacy. I was very anxious to share my story. How
could the Government even consider this? What about all the individuals like me
who made bad choices when we were young and unfortunate? I could not let this
happen. I wanted to fight for the rights of others. I wanted to be heard and I
was.On March 7th, 2003, I had the opportunity to speak to the Senate
in Phoenix, Arizona. I was so nervous I felt as if my voice was shaking as
though I was trembling inside but I knew I had to prove to these elite
individuals that what they were considering was really a bad decision. After I
spoke, I felt as though I was heard. I made an impact. The following week a
group of us traveled back to Phoenix, and we were heard by the House if
Legislation. Again I was nervous, but I felt a little less intimidated because I
had experienced this the week before. There were 3 of us who spoke and this was
an incredible day because all the members of the committee gave us a round of
applause and commended us for our efforts and beliefs. The end result of this
dramatic overturn was that the program was fully funded for the next year.
Just as I thought my Family Literacy experience would come to an end
another door opened for me. The Civics Program Coordinator of Adult Education in
February of 2004 contacted me. I was asked if I would tell my story while being
video taped. I could not believe they wanted me. I was on such a emotional high
it was unbelievable. I felt so professional, and this was a huge success. I
accepted this exciting offer, and I was filmed in April 2004. Over the summer, I
received my copy of my interview and on October 29, I received a finished
digitally mastered copy. This video is very powerful; it tells the story of
numerous people like me and the obstacles we have overcome, the success we have
had. My next journey with adult education is this story I am writing now. Mrs.
Ramirez contacted me on September13, 2004 asking me to update my story. Once
again I was honored and gladly accepted the challenge. As I sit here writing
everything out it is amazing what I have overcome and all the accomplishments I
have made.
At the present time I am in my fourth year at Pima College and still in
the National Honor society holding a 3.75 GPA. I am considering several options.
I am interested in becoming a teacher, but I am also interested in social
services and helping individuals in any way I can. Also I am a respite and
attendant care provider with the Department of Developmental Disabilities
through the State of Arizona. I frequently attend to an individual’s needs who
is disabled. This is a very difficult but rewarding job as you feel good that
you helped someone who is less fortunate then you. I continue to work at Summit
View Elementary and have obtained my emergency substitute certificate, and I
am substituting quite frequently in the special ed department.
My children also are proud of my going to school and liked the experience
of my being a part of their education through the Family Literacy program and
the P.A.C.T. program. My daughter is in the 9th grade, and my son is
in the 5th grade. Working at Summit View and attending Pima College
has helped me to better prepare my children in their academic needs. My kids
seem to work harder and take pride in their own schoolwork. Both of my children
have set their own goals and are achieving them this year at school. I would
like to thank my husband, Willie, for continuing to support me through my
education and reinforcing me with a positive attitude when I am feeling
overwhelmed due to the fact that it is tough working and going to school at the
same time, but the rewards are gratifying.
I left the program
with all my goals complete, a feeling of self worth, and a incredible memory of
the time I spent every day working to obtain my goals and the positive
reinforcement I received from the program and the individuals who work with us.
I also would like to say that the one person who became a important part of my
life is Cecilia Ramirez. She has become one of my mentors, and she still
encourages me and recognizes that even when you leave the program, it is
important that those people who saw you through do not lose contact with you.
They are still there to coach you, to congratulate you, and to listen with an
open mind. I can not tell you how important that is for me. We still need that
positive reinforcement as adults time to time. I feel very fortunate that I was
one of the lucky women to experience Family Literacy and the incredible bond
that it has. I feel that I will always be a part of the Family Literacy program
and Adult Education and will do everything in my power to keep it alive, keep
the program in place for others who have bad decision in their lives, for people
who want to better themselves and their families. We all make mistakes. But I
believe each one of us wants to succeed. It’s just sometimes we do not know
where to go or where to enquire. Family Literacy gives you the opportunity to
share, to learn, to be heard, to help our families, and the most important to
grow as a person spiritually and intellectually.
I am closing this with a favorite poem of mine by Renee Duvall.
Dream… and as you
dream remember that only you can make your dream come true.
Reach… and as you
reach, remember that success takes time, devotion, and sometimes a little
disappointment.
Believe… and as
you believe you will find reaching gets easier, setbacks get more manageable.
Life becomes more meaningful. There’s a wonderful dream waiting just for
you..,
I
know you can make it come true.
Paula
Wood
Family
Literacy Graduate 2000
Paraprofessional
Summit View Elementary School (Autism)
Pima
Community College currently carrying a 3.75 GPA