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Past Presidents' Development Fund Award
The Past Presidents of KAEA have established and nurtured the Development Fund to provide opportunities for individual initiative in the furtherance of adult education in Kansas. The Development Fund provides up to $500 annually to help support educational projects.
Butler County Community College Adult Education and Workforce Development Center, El Dorado, received this year's Past Presidents' Development Fund Award. BCC will provide Character First Implementation Training for a minimum of three Adult Education staff. Those three would provide training to other Butler Adult Education staff members so that the Character First philosophy is understood and modeled across the program. Butler would support the three trainers to provide training through KAEA and other professional development opportunities to other interested adult education programs. Character First curriculum would be purchased and implemented in the classroom across the program. As the world of work rapidly changes, many businesses are beginning to hire for character and train for skills. The soft skills that employers say are lacking in employees and that they desire in a new hire are actually character traits. Practicing these character traits would enhance the learning environment, increase student cooperation, reduce disciplinary problems, and improve cooperation among teachers and students by teaching and exemplifying a possible 49 character qualities that are essential for life.
KAEA Master Adult Educator
Paola Adult Education Center,
Paola Kim Kirk came to me a few years ago and said she wanted to complete her college degree. I told her that I supported the idea whole-heartedly. She said that she did not want to hold our center back because of the grant and that she wanted to complete her Bachelor’s Degree in Management and Human Relations. Kim did not do it the ordinary way. She never does. She finished her degree in one year while still working full time at our center and taking care of her family. Furthermore, Kim earned Magna Cum Laude honors when she graduated. Kim has been in adult education for as long as I can remember. I started eight years ago and she had already been a part-timer for at least five years. So my guess is at least 13 years plus. Kim went full time the fall of 1998 and she has been our lead teacher ever since. She is also currently our assistant director for the six programs we hold in our center. Kim has participated in every Summer Institute held during those 13 years with the exception of one that I can remember. And, it was the one that she could not make because she was in school working on her degree. Kim has attended numerous KAEA conferences and has presented. She was asked by the Kansas Board of Regents to present two years at the Kansas Workforce Summit as well as the National CASAS Summer Institute in San Diego. Kim has also attended Missouri Valley Adult Education Association Conference for the last four years. Kim was instrumental in the development of the Workplace Essential Skills curriculum for our center. She also assisted in the development of lessons for each CASAS competencies for our center as well. She has traveled to several centers and has shared those lessons with the teachers. Kim is an amazing woman. She is my friend, my teammate, and my confidant. There are days that she makes me laugh and then there are days that I want to kill her. Just this week we were trying to decide how were going to make a few very difficult changes and she reminded me that it’s about us- our center. We make a difference. I am here to tell you though that it’s really Kim that makes a difference. She is always there for the students and for me. She does things that I would never have thought of doing. Last year our computer system died AGAIN. Kim brought in steaks for the computer tech and said that sometimes he just needs to know that people appreciate him. Kim never misses a beat. Her rapport with our learners is exemplary. She gets the job done. I have seen it over and over. The students come in with 206 on a CASAS math test and six weeks later they in sitting in the GED testing room. Her lessons are unique and it’s been great watching her grow. Five years ago, she would never have stood in front of a group of people and presented something. She wanted the little white board and a marker. She would sit at the tables and explain the lessons from her chair. That was her comfort zone. Then came the dreaded structured class idea. I thought for sure we were going to lose her. She has hung in there and did whatever it took to make our center better. I remember the day that I had to tell her that the Tech Skills Checklists could no longer be counted as educational gains. Her response was very simple – so what, we get them through the posttest. I was amazed. Here was this woman standing before me that had finally grown through our changes. She was making a difference. As for innovative ideas, accomplishments, or projects, we would not be the center we are today if it wasn’t for Kim’s help. She has consistently worked 12-14 hour days when we didn’t have a night teacher. She is salaried – get the idea. Kim hasn’t done a lot of big stuff. She hasn’t received a lot of recognition and I’m not sure she would know how to handle it if she did. She has never really gotten involved in community affairs until recently. Now, she is the one of the board of directors for the newly formed Paola Kiwanis Club. She never wanted to be a leader or so she says. But, let me tell you she has always been there. She may not have been the leader by name but she has always walked beside me. She has always foreseen when things needed to be done. She has always been the first one to get things rolling in our center when I asked for help. I guess my bottom line is that I wish I had another five employees like Kim. It’s her dedication. It’s her compassion. It’s her willingness to do whatever it takes. It’s her enthusiasm. It’s her commitment to students who had never ever had anyone committed to them before. It’s her ability to laugh when things are funny. It’s her ability to cry when things aren’t very good. It’s her ability to see what tomorrow brings. It’s just Kim. She truly understands that in order for students to be successful, they have to believe. She helps them to believe again. That’s what makes Kim so very valuable to Kansas Adult Education. That’s what makes Kim so valuable to our students. That’s what makes her special and that’s why I believe she should be awarded the KAEA Master Adult Educator Award. Thank you, Kim, for who you are and for whom we are when you’re around.
KAEA Tyro Adult Educator Award Butler County Community College Adult Education and Workforce Development Center, El Dorado
Pam Cannon was hired as a 20-hour-a-week part-time FastTrack instructor by the Butler Community College Adult Education/GED program on Sept. 2, 2003. This was her first experience in adult education. Pam's educational background includes: a current KAEA credential, Leadership Butler Class of 2004, additional classes in the Adult Education field, M.S. of Human Resource Development/Organizational Development, B.S. in Organizational Management and Leadership, A.A.S. Business Administration. Pam has attended every KAEA conference, Summer Institute and required KBOR workshop since her hire. She attends more than sufficient activities to hold a current KAEA credential. Also, she faithfully attends departmental staff meetings and Butler Professional Development Days. In addition, she was nominated and accepted as a 2004 class member of Leadership Butler. As a follow-up to that program she developed the curriculum and facilitated a visioning session for the 2005 class. She taught some adjunct college level classes for Butler which helped her to learn more about the college system giving her confidence to give students transition advice. Her love of adult education drives her to continue self-directed study and to take supplemental college classes in the field of adult education. Pam’s class is all about the student. Whatever it takes to make them successful, she does. She shares personal experiences, helps them overcome test anxiety, makes referrals to other agencies to help them with their life problems, consoles, and encourages them. Even though it means additional work for Pam to tote along all of the needed assessments, materials and equipment, classes are scheduled on the El Dorado campus or at other Butler locations so that students develop an awareness of and comfort level for the college environment. The GED Connections Fast Track series is used as the core curriculum; however, students receive multiple informational packets and worksheets that Pam has developed to help them review and to reduce test anxiety. Through evaluations, students have voiced that working on the board, the fun environment, being forced to think about the learning/thought process, group activities, class discussion about homework, the instructor’s teaching ability, individual attention, not being treated like a kid, open discussion and flexibility of subjects, random test taking, as well as, Pam herself have been aspects of the class that contributed most to their learning. Pam is a lifelong learner herself and encourages her students to do the same. Many of her students transition to postsecondary education as a result of her advising and assistance with enrollment. She constantly stays in contact with each of her students even frequently after they have finished her class. They all have her cell phone number and she encourages them to use it when they have questions, class or life problems, or if they just need encouragement. Students say it all. Some comments from student evaluations were: -- “…this is a great class and I love Pam!” -- “Pam was excellent in the way that she taught us.” -- “Pam Cannons’ teaching ability [contributed most to my learning].” -- “The help of Pam displaying how to work out a problem [contributed most to my learning].” -- “Pam willing to help make things clearly understood [contributed most to my learning].” -- ”Clone Pam” -- “I liked Pam and her attitude and the class helped me a lot.” -- “Pam was kool & very helpful.” -- “Pam explained everything very well and she cares.” --“I got along well with Pam, and she made hard problems seem easy.” All staff at the agencies and Butler locations where Pam holds class rave about her. They comment about her optimistic, cheerful attitude and beautiful smile, cooperation in complying with building regulations, willingness to meet the communities’ needs and the positive changes they see in students while and after working with Pam. Pam goes above and beyond in providing assistance for students to help them be successful. Even though the FastTrack class is set up to take students with CASAS reading scores of 236 and CASAS math scores of 230, sometimes students with lower scores will insist on taking the class, especially if the class is held at an out of town location. Pam counsels those students and then accepts them into the class. Pam’s willingness to accommodate student needs allows the program to schedule classes that meet at different times of the day and evening, on different days and at different locations throughout the year. When she had physical limitations due to a wreck, she had her son drive her to class so the students wouldn’t miss out or get behind. When asked to work additional hours to provide independent study for students not in her class, she eagerly accepted the challenge. She has trained a few volunteers, one being her daughter, to assist students at all levels. In FY 05, Pam impacted the lives of 60 students, which was 37.5% of Butler’s adult education participants. Given that she does a great deal of follow-up, all but a few have taken and passed their GED. At least twelve (20%) of those participants have already transitioned to postsecondary education due to her perseverance and guidance. Pam will take time outside of her class to sit with students advising them of the schedule they need to be on to meet their goals and assisting them with on-line enrollment. After their enrollment, she continues to mentor them through the college life process. For many of these students, they are not only the first in their families to complete a high school diploma, but they are also the first to enter college!
In
FY06, eleven FastTrack classes will be held at seven different cities
allowing students access to GED preparation from six plus counties. In a
brief 36-hour class, Pam will continue to positively touch students’ lives
academically and personally. Students who work with Pam learn and they like
her.
Distinguished Service Award
Director of Adult Education,
KBOR
Dianne is a graduate of the University of North Alabama with a BS in art, English, and secondary education. She has taught English and art on the secondary level, as well as English composition on the college level. She has conducted post-graduate studies in English at the University of North Alabama and has an MS in Adult and Continuing Education from Kansas State University. Dianne has been involved in adult education since 1973 when she taught her first Adult Basic Education (ABE) class. Since then she has been an instructor, master teacher, and coordinator in ABE/GED/ESL programs in Alabama, Georgia, Hawaii, and Germany. Currently, Dianne is the Associate Director of Academic Affairs responsible for adult education professional development and program improvement with the Kansas Board of Regents. As the State Director of Adult Education, Dianne provides outstanding leadership and direction to the planning, implementation and evaluation of Adult Basic Education Programs that has led to Kansas receiving national recognition for its "best practices." Some of her responsibilities and examples of her commendable efforts include: -- Provides leadership for adult education by recommending strategies to improve programs and services for learners. When adult education funding moved under the WIA Act, Dianne developed and helped programs to implement Indicators of Program Quality providing a way for programs to measure their performance. As I attend other meetings and conferences, I have discovered that Kansas is far ahead of other states who are struggling in this area. At a time when programs were working one-on-one with every student, Dianne gave guidance and support in making the switch to a much more efficient and effective way of delivering group services. Also, this supports Dianne’s philosophy that programs should be research based and designed to be learner centered. She has executed a KBOR adult education advisory council consisting of state program directors that assist with planning and decision making. -- Makes presentations to adult educators and the public to provide visible leadership for adult education. I don’t believe there has been a KAEA conference that Dianne has not presented at or offered some type of training since becoming the State Director. Additionally she always presents multiple sessions at Summer Institute. She frequently “brags” about the progress of adult education programs across Kansas when she presents at the Kansas Board of Regents Board meetings. -- Directs the development of a management information system designed to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the Adult Basic Education Programs. From BE 4I to ABE2000 to PABLO adult education data has improved in amount of information collected and accuracy which lends credibility to adult education. The data that programs are able to produce now is ideal for comparing program stats by quarter or year-to-year for program improvement, marketing individual programs to potential students, informing communities of the need for services provided, and lobbying legislators to increase adult education funding. -- Facilitates the assessment of needs and provision of training and technical assistance to Adult Basic Education Programs. Implemented program improvement plans & created a position within her office for a person to develop and coordinate professional development activities. Annually offers workshops that address program deficiencies statewide. Dianne also gives oversight to the annual Kansas Adult Education Summer Institute and the Kansas Literacy Resource Center. -- Establishes priorities for and participates in staff development activities related to Adult Basic Education. -- Directs the development and administration of the budget for Adult Basic Education. Advocates for and works diligently to increase funding at the state and federal level for Kansas adult education. Monitors and holds programs accountable for their annual AEFLA budgets. Unlike most other states, Dianne allows federal dollars designated for state leadership to be paid down to individual programs to be used to provide professional development opportunities as needed. -- Interprets and implements appropriate state and federal laws and regulations concerning Adult Education. Kansas was a couple of years past the usual timeframe for a federal audit… Dianne kept telling program directors to be prepared. Then this past year, the federal auditors arrived. At a special session organized for the auditors to meet with program directors, they told us that the only reason they were visiting Kansas was because we were doing so much better than other states. There were no ‘red flags’ so they had to come see what we were doing. At that time, they also shared with program directors how respected Dianne is at the federal level. Shortly afterwards, programs received a congratulatory letter announcing that the federal government had publicized that Kansas is one of 3 "best practice" states and that they would be making visits in the near future to determine how we do what we do. -- Coordinates standardization of program curricula for adult education to the extent that will be beneficial to the total state system. Dianne led the crusade to implement Kansas as a CASAS state and establish a standardized assessment system. She is a state and national trainer for CASAS. Another area where Dianne has led Kansas to the forefront is with the current project of developing curriculum and lesson plans for adult education classes. -- Coordinates the development of adult education state and federal plans. She has empowered and earned the respect of program directors by involving them in decisions for the state and federal plans. -- Serves as the contact person for the Division of Adult Education and Literacy (DAEL), U.S. Department of Education. Partners well with U.S. Department of Education DAEL. Promotes professional development opportunities they provide such as the annual Connecting Business and Education Conference. When the USDE designated Kansas as one of three state having “best practice” programs, the Wichita Business Journal quoted Dianne as saying, “Adult educators across the state at the local program level definitely deserve the credit for this national recognition. Our programs have the unique ability to directly enhance the quality of life for adult learners across the state.” Dianne frequently expresses her appreciativeness of others and seldom takes credit for things that would not have happened without her direction and guidance. When I first started in Kansas adult education Dianne Glass was not the state director. Seeing the change in leadership has shown me how the Kansas Adult Education programs can grow significantly under proper leadership. With the recent recognition as a “Best Practice” state, I believe we will only continue to set the bar for others states to reach. Under Dianne’s guidance, Kansas programs will only continue to be exemplary in meeting students’ needs. Dianne sets expectations that require programs to stretch and she continues to raise the performance bar while supporting programs who struggle and encouraging their progress. Under Dianne’s supervision programs across the state have collectively made continuous program improvement as required under the national guidelines in order for Kansas to continue receiving federal funds. There is no statistical evidence that supports this trend continuing, but with Dianne as our leader that is the only vision I see. For at least 3 years when the WIA legislation was new, Adult Education was the only one out of the four WIA required agencies who met their negotiated outcomes.
These
endeavors can only allow more and more people to improve their knowledge and
the basic skills adults need to successfully carry out their roles as
parents, productive citizens, and economically self-sufficient workers in
the 21st Century. Students will continue to have the opportunity
to acquire stronger
reading, writing, and math skills;
as well as the other skills needed to
communicate and work well with others; to innovatively solve problems; and
to keep up with change.
KAEA Outstanding Adult Learner
Award
Cooper Education Center, Newton Today, if I supplied Tamela “Tamie” Akhtar with a set of pompoms, she would have no reservations about climbing atop the nearest classroom table to lead a rousing cheer: “You can do it! Yes, you can...” I can imagine it clearly, the determination ringing out in her voice, joy spreading across her face. Tamie is a testament to the fact that incredible changes can occur in a short time. When she walked into our GED classroom in September, Tamie seemed burdened, clouded by circumstance and cloaked in doubt. Although Tamie’s desire for an education was apparent, her ability to surmount her past was not. Quickly feeling comfort with her classmates, Tamie opened up. She was a victim of domestic violence, having for years been beaten down, quite literally. Amazingly, Tamie seemed to have no fear, no trepidation in making such a personal disclosure. “I want to be open about it,” she said. “People need to understand.” From that time on, during classroom discussions, Tamie spoke up and out. She would tell bits and pieces of her story, but, most importantly, she would warn the younger learners of the trap of domestic violence. As a student, Tamie was not afraid to speak out on other subjects. As many of her counterparts moaned and groaned about needing to learn fractions or other tough math concepts, she countered their attitudes. “This is fun,” she would say, reminding all that she was happy to work if it meant passing the GED. Although Tamie encountered many struggles outside the classroom, she never allowed those troubles to diminish her learning. When she solved a tricky math problem, her delight would lead to a squeal followed by “I did it!” When a classmate accomplished a task, she was the first to say, “Alright! High five!” Tamie’s passion for learning was always coupled with a desire to help others achieve their goals. She eagerly helped classmates who were struggling with daily assignments. Her message always seemed to be If I can do this, you can do this. She encouraged others to look beyond the classroom to college. In a personal quest to major in criminology, Tamie dove headfirst into the world of FAFSA and credit hours and prerequisites. What she learned through the experience, she shared with classmates.
In late December, Tamie earned her GED. In
January, she became a student at Hutchinson Community College in Newton.
Despite the fact that she has moved on to college, Tamie has volunteered to
tutor GED students. “(This program) has set me on fire for learning,” she
said. “I want to help.” Indeed, she is helping.
Salina Adult Education Center, Salina Nomination by Adrienne Allen, Salina Adult Education Center
Over the years, she has committed more than 400 hours of volunteer service. Ginny currently tutors high level ESL students, helping them practice their reading, pronunciation, conversation and "question and answer" skills. The students truly enjoy working with Ginny. She is a very positive and upbeat person who always has encouraging words for the students. According to Mary Bender, ESL instructor for SAEC, "Ginny is very compassionate. She assumes the students will do well and helps give them the tools they need to succeed." Ginny's dedication to our program is evident. The time she donates allows our teachers to serve all students more effectively. She is dependable, hard-working, and always willing to put in extra hours when needed. For instance, we recently had a student who was preparing for the U.S. Citizenship Exam. Ginny volunteered to come in several days each week to quiz him, in addition to her scheduled volunteer time. We truly appreciate Ginny's service and believe she is a worthy and deserving candidate for the KAEA Volunteer Service Award.
Nominee: Joy Pierzynski
Joy is most willing to tutor any student in the ABE/GED program. She has worked with both lower level students and students ready to take the GED. Whether they need help with basic reading and math, spelling, comprehension, writing, or science, Joy is there to work with them. She is very conscientious, and if she has a conflict, she works it out to come on another day. All of the students enjoy her presence. Caring about them personally as well as academically is one of her strengths. She is very non-judgmental when they tell her about their lives, and she treats them with respect. The students enjoy her coming and hope that she will be working with them. I have utilized her help with individuals and small groups. The personal attention improves students' self-esteem, which can in turn boost performance. Joy is also a role model for our staff and director. She is consistently here, working quietly with whoever needs help. Her attitude has been that if there's a need, she is more than willing to help. Her service to others is inspiring to all of us. Helping others with no thought of reward seems gain enough for her. I consider her very qualified for this award.
Nominee: Patricia Schmidt Patricia Schmidt has a very strong influence on the students in my classes with her kind, thoughtful manner. When she is not in class they are very concerned about her. She makes a point to talk to each student when she sees them out of class, and they are so encouraged by her attention of them and their families. Pat travels a lot and always brings something back to share with them to introduce them to a new cultural specialty. Because she is a gifted musician, she often writes a new song or chant to help students to learn new vocabulary. She gives each student her friendship and helps to promote positive attitudes. The students feel comfortable with her there as their support. Pat's encouragement of new students often makes the difference between success and failure. She is a very trusted assistant and a real asset to the program. Pat came to me wanting to help. She is faithfully here each morning at 8 a.m. to help those who come early. She loves to work with them one-to-one. I greatly appreciate all she has done, and it is with this gratitude that I nominate Pat for this award.
Nominee: Elizabeth Fitch Elizabeth Fitch first came to the Literacy Program in the spring of 2003 as a participant in a grant program jointly written by the local chapter of Phi Kappa Phi at Emporia State University and the Literacy Program. Elizabeth stayed in the Literacy Program after the grant period ended and continued to work with adults on their basic skills. In the time she has been in the program, she finished her university work in education, graduated, and went on to work on a Master's Degree. She was honored by the Department of Education at Emporia State as one its outstanding new teachers. We have been privileged to have her as a part of our program, and her students have greatly benefited from her working with them. Elizabeth's first student was a young mother working in a local factory who needed her high school diploma in order to provide a better life for herself and her family. She mostly needed to work on math, and she had developed a fear of it. Elizabeth worked with her for some time, and she did make progress until she changed her job and the new schedule did not allow her to study. However, they maintained communication off and on over the next year, and finally Elizabeth received the following e-mail message. "I have gotten my GED and I just wanted to thank you for all your help. I am actually planning on moving back to Emporia where I plan to go to the Technical College for their dental assistant program. After that I plan on moving to the KC area and going to school for radiology. I just thought I would let you know what a huge impact you have made on my life." Elizabeth Fitch has found a way to add tutoring adults in basic skills to her very busy schedule at the university, and thus has found a way to give something of value to her community and most importantly to her individual students. We are proud to nominate her for this year's KAEA Volunteer Service Award for her own accomplishments and as she represents all the fine university students over the years who have contributed to the Emporia Literacy Program's ability to help adults with their basic skills.
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