District 214 Community Education celebrates success stories

District 214 Community Education in Arlington Heights highlighted its many success stories when it joined the National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week celebration that ended Sunday, Sept. 29.

Through its Adult Education & Family Literacy Program, District 214 Community Education offers English as a Second Language and GED preparation classes, Read to Learn adult literacy/volunteer tutoring, family literacy, U.S. Citizenship preparation, and much more.

The weeklong celebration allowed District 214 Community Education to shine a spotlight on its many success stories. One such story was that of Schaumburg resident Toni Coleman, a mother of five, who enrolled in District 214 Community Education’s GED program last year. Coleman dropped out of school in the 10th grade and decided to go back to school after raising her children, now ages 11 to 27.

“All of my children are grown now except for the youngest who really doesn’t need me that much anymore now,” Coleman said. “Being a mom is great, but I want to do something with my life. I know that I have not received my high school diploma, so I thought getting my GED was the first place to start.”

Coleman credits her GED teachers Maureen Ruddy, Vanessa Cannon and Roberta Pennett for her success. She said they were committed to her passing the GED. She also added that because of them, she enrolled at Harper College’s CNA program and is trying to complete the prerequisites to enter the RN program.

Another success story, as shared by Roberta Pennett, Read to Learn site supervisor, was that of a student originally from Mexico. The student went to RTL’s Palatine site and Pennett tutored him in preparation for his kitchen certification test.

“His hard work paid off for he passed his certification after a semester with RTL which allowed him to earn a higher salary and get the promotion at his work,” Pennett said.

District 214 Community Education offers ESL classes to students from all over the world. For these adult students, being able to speak English is life changing and it gets them closer to achieving their goals in their new home.

“It is difficult to live without English skills in the U.S., but my English is getting better through this program and I could make friends in the class,” said Mariko, who is originally from Japan.

The weeklong celebration was held in partnership with the Illinois Community College Board, Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White and the state library’s literacy office along with the Illinois Adult and Continuing Educators Association. The national observation raised awareness of the need for programs and services to this adult population as well to highlight its successes.

For more information on District 214 Community Education’s Adult Education & Family Literacy programs, visit www.ce214.org or call (847) 718-7719.

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