ADULT EDUCATION UPDATE Coming Back After Re-imagining Learning through a Laptop Screen Current DC Adult Education student perseveres and shares academic journey through COVID-19 and beyond
“Education means family. Everyone has their own struggles, life gets in the way,” said Barbara Wells, education coordinator for Dominican Center’s Adult Education Program. “But here at the Domin- ican Center, we’re a family.” The program has been a family for students from the Amani neighborhood and throughout Mil- waukee since DC’s founding. It allows students to work at their own pace with one-on-one tutor support that meets each student at their current educational level, allowing them a safe space to follow their educational journey and earn their HSED or GED. Each student has an individual academic plan to reach their goals. Learning opportunities have gone beyond the classroom in the past with monthly outings like trips to the Haggerty Museum and Discovery World, as well as social outings to the movies and the theatre. Students have also come together with DC staff to celebrate holidays and educational milestones. But, on March 11, 2020, when COVID-19 hit and DC closed because of the government stay-at- home order, everything changed. For many, the pandemic hit hard, forcing students and teachers worldwide to turn to a new digital and techno- logical era. This was specifically difficult in many low-income communities, shining light on the crippling and growing digital divide. Students in DC’s Adult Education program had to start from scratch and develop new computer and online learning skills. They also had to adapt to learn- ing without the close in-person support of their tutors and fellow classmates.
At DC, both partnerships and relationships were imperative to the environment to help push through distractions in and out of the class- room. Going from four in-person school days to only two online was an academic setback for students, even challenging the commitment for some. Through these struggles, something amazing happened. DC’s students thrived and began supporting themselves and each other in a new way. Because of DC’s partnerships with local organizations like Northwestern Mutual and MATC, students were able to continue to pursue their education. Northwestern Mutual donated 10 Chromebooks for DC students, and MATC began offering three online classes for students. In these online classes, DC students were able to relate and connect through their own education- al struggles. “Education means family. Everyone has their own struggles, life gets in the way. But here at the Dominican Center, we’re a family.” – Barbara Wells, DC Education Coordinator
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