December `12 Newsletter - Mount Rogers Regional Adult Education

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MRRAEP NEWS
EVERYBODY DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE!
Graduates prove their academic skills and knowledge
in the basic subject areas of reading, writing, math,
science, and social studies. About the GED test:
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More than 39 million adult Americans lack high
school credentials
People with a high school credential earn
approximately $568,000 more in a lifetime than
people without a high school credential
The GED test takes a little more than seven hours
to complete
More than 18 million people have passed the GED
test
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MOUNT ROGERS
D ECE M BE R
REGIONAL
ADULT
EDUCATION
WITH A GOAL AND A DREAM!
PROGRAM
Serving the
following localities:
Bland County
Carroll County
CONTACT MRRAEP AT www.mrraep.org or call 1-800-322-7748
Grayson County
Smyth County
Washington
County
Wythe County
P. O. Box 828
Abingdon, VA 24212
20 12
City of Bristol
City of Galax
In 2011, Kim Berryhill
joined Lorraine Heath's
class at the Bristol
Library. At that time, he
told her of his dream to
someday own his own
restaurant. He was
working in one of
Bristol's nice
establishments at the
time and learning all that
he could to become a
master chef.
Kim knew that his road
was going to be tough
because he was working
different shifts and could
not be sure of the number
of classes that he would
be able to attend. Kim
was welcomed as a
student of Mount Rogers
Adult Ed. Program and
was promised that
everything would be done
to help him reach his
goal.
Along the way, Kim had
the usual number of
problems including
family, work hours and
study time.
In November, 2012, he
passed his last GED® test
and became a graduate of
Mount Rogers Adult Ed.
Last week he enrolled in
the Southeast Culinary
and Hospitality College in
Bristol, Virginia, and
qualifies for financial aid.
Kim is an example
of what a goal and a
dream is all about.
Good luck, Kim, go for
the gold. You deserve it!
All of us at Mount Rogers
are proud of you.
MRRAEP STAFF
Shirley Carlson
Program Manager
Sharon Hutchinson
Program Specialist
Pam Price
Office Manager
Brenda Otey
Data Specialist
Reneé Sturgill
GED/LAGEDA
Published by
Pam Price
CULTURE CLASS!
There is something in the water in the Abingdon ESL
class! With a baby making his debut at the end of
October and two more on the way, the topic of babies
has frequently made its way into our discussions. For
an ESL parent-to-be living in Southwest Virginia, a
baby means making appointments in English,
speaking to doctors in English, communicating needs
in English, buying baby things in English-speaking
stores, and, of course, baby showers. In Arabic
culture, a baby shower is not given until after the
birth of the baby and it is hosted by the mother. Julia
Ritterbusch, a former MRRAEP ESL teacher, wanted
these women to experience an American baby shower.
So, invitations were sent out, the food was prepared, a
diaper cake was assembled, traditional games were
planned, and all we needed were the guests. When the
women came in, they also brought enough food to feed
everyone because it is customary to provide the food
for a baby shower. It was a success!
On December 2, 2012, it was time to celebrate the
birth of the baby boy born in October. As teachers
and friends, Julia and I were invited to experience an
Arabic baby shower. Most of the guests were in their
traditional dress, their welcome song was sung, and
the appetizers were served. On the menu we had
verbena tea, baklava, chicken bastilla, and lamb, to
name a few. It was an evening of fellowship, fun, and
the Arabic version of The Voice. Whether students
are American
or from
another
country, what
a blessing to
be able to
learn from
each other
through the
sharing of
lives, cultures,
and customs!
Submitted by Courtney Proffitt,
MRRAEP ESL Instructor, Abingdon, Virginia
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NEWS FROM AROUND THE REGION
BOBBIE TAYLOR NAMED MRRAEP’S
TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Pictured are Bobbie Taylor and Shirley Carlson, Program Manager
Fall Inservice for staff was held at
Wytheville Community College on
September 15, 2012. Topics of
discussion included Best Practices
in Retention, NRS Reporting,
TABE Strategies, GED
Registration, New Software and
Educational Links, Distance
Learning, and a Round Robin
Discussion including instructional
strategies for math, writing and
reading.
MRRAEP GOALS FOR 2012-13 INCLUDE:
Technology—implement technology in our communication with students, in instruction, and data reporting;
Transitioning—assist students in reaching their career and education goals;
Outreach—promote adult education through various marketing strategies.
MRRAEP WELCOMES NEW TEACHERS
Courtney Proffitt joins the MRRAEP staff as an ESL Teacher. Courtney currently
works for Washington County Public Schools as an ESL tutor. She is a graduate of
King College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies/Elementary
Education. Her ESL Class is being held at the SW Virginia Higher Education Center.
James “Jim” Counts returns to MRRAEP as an instructor for the Southwest Virginia
Regional Jail. Jim has worked for MRRAEP as a GED instructor in the past and we
welcome his expertise back to our program. Jim is a graduate of Virginia Tech
with a Bachelor’s Degree in history and political science and also a graduate of
Radford University with a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Psychology.
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Courtney Proffitt
collecting and preparing laboratory
tests, administering injections, and
taking vital signs.
MRRAEP has taken an active
role in the program by working with
students to improve their math skills.
Mrs. Martha Cook, a retired math
teacher and MRRAEP instructor, has
been involved in helping with medical
math topics required in the program’s
curriculum of 900 hours of total
instruction. “The medical math for
this program is overwhelming,” Mrs.
Cook states. “We start out with basic
Jim Counts
math and review, then incorporate the
basic knowledge into the medical
field…but we have had a high success
rate with this program.” MRRAEP
assists students in attaining higher
educational
levels
and
seeks
partnerships with post-secondary
institutions to produce a better
workforce for our region. This
partnership has proven to be a
productive one and has prepared two
classes for jobs in the health care
field.
Submitted by: Shirley Carlson, Program Manager
DON’T FALL FOR FAKE CERTIFICATES!
An individual who feels the
stress of job-seeking in a difficult
economy; an employee whose
GED
promotion is contingent upon
passing the GED® exam; a high
school dropout who wants to enroll
in college—what do all these have
in common?
They may all be
vulnerable to the many websites
offering “fake” diplomas or GED® certificates.
With promises of quick turnaround and credit for
employment and life experience, those needing a high school
credential are lured into paying for a piece of paper that is virtually
worthless. What are some of the signs that a site may be offering
fraudulent certificates? Phrases such as “fully accredited online
high school” or “take an online test and earn a professional degree
with an embossed seal” can be misleading. Although the names
often sound similar to the names of actual high schools or
universities, these organizations are not accredited and the
credential they offer is not accepted by employers or colleges.
Legitimate distance-learning organizations generally
require substantial coursework to complete. Some credit might be
offered to recognize significant life or work experience, but not a
degree.
The GED® exam is never given online. Candidates should
contact approved testing centers for information about taking the
GED® exam, or if they have questions about a distance learning
program.
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MRRAEP COLLABORATES WITH VHCC FOR
MEDICAL ASSISTANT MATH CLASSES
In the spring and fall
semesters of 2012, MRRAEP and the
Washington County Skill Center
collaborated to serve students
enrolled in the WCSC’s Medical
Assistant Program. Graduates of the
MA Program receive a certificate as a
Registered
Medical
Assistant,
qualifying them to work in a medical
doctor’s office setting, providing both
administrative and clinical skills. The
MA
student
learns
computer
applications, coding and filling out
insurance forms, and updating patient
medical records. In addition, they
gain skills in taking medical histories,
Mrs. Bobbie Taylor was named TEACHER OF THE YEAR at the
recent fall inservice. Mrs. Taylor holds a Bachelor of Science
and a Master’s Degree from Radford University. She has taught
public school in Russell, Giles, and Washington Counties. After
retirement in 2000, Mrs. Taylor became involved in adult
education and has “truly enjoyed it. The MRRAEP staff and the
dedicated adult learners have all been such a joy to work with
that retirement holds no appeal for me!” She and her husband,
Vic, have been married for 46 years, and they have two
children and two grandchildren. “God has blessed me richly.”
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--Sharon Hutchinson, Chief GED® Examiner
The current version of the GED® test is
expiring at the end of 2013, and your
scores will expire, too, if you don’t finish
and pass the test by then. Finish the test
now so you won’t have to re-take the parts
you have already passed.
Finish your GED® test by the end of
2013 and get started on the life you
deserve.
With a high school credential, more
doors open—to a better job, college, and
the respect you deserve.