The Journey of an Adult Learner Through the Teacher’s Eyes

In adult education, every student’s journey is as unique as their fingerprint, and the teacher’s role is to guide, motivate, and support them at every step. From initial orientation to the victorious moment of achieving a high school equivalency diploma, the road is filled with challenges, triumphs, and transformative experiences. Here’s a glimpse of this journey, shared from the teacher’s perspective.

The Starting Line: Orientation and Testing

Adult learners often begin their journey with apprehension. They face many challenges—balancing jobs, family responsibilities, and financial pressures while pursuing education. Orientation marks the first step, providing a welcoming environment where students learn about the program and available resources. Teachers often collaborate with community organizations to ensure students can access transportation, childcare, and other essential services.

After orientation, academic testing begins. This process helps identify strengths and weaknesses, paving the way for a tailored learning plan. Teachers like Patricia, an experienced instructor with 15 years in the field, emphasize flexibility and understanding, recognizing that life’s unpredictability requires adaptability in scheduling and instruction.

Building Confidence: A Teacher’s Support

A cornerstone of adult education is building students’ confidence. Patricia recalls a student, Shantae, who overcame addiction and self-doubt with her help. Through personalized support and encouragement, Shantae not only passed her exams but also set her sights on becoming a paraprofessional. These success stories illustrate how individual attention and a supportive environment can empower students to transform their lives.

Engagement and Innovation

Engaging students can be one of the toughest challenges. Patricia and Jenn, two passionate educators, recently brainstormed innovative ways to capture and sustain interest. They discussed hosting boot camps to prepare students for high school equivalency exams and implementing Spanish-language events to engage English-language learners. Patricia suggested incorporating community-building activities like a taco truck night with translators, blending cultural celebrations with educational outreach.

The IAACE Journey of Adult Learner Podcast emerged as another creative idea. By sharing stories of student resilience and teacher dedication, we hope to inspire others.

Accommodating Unique Needs

Every student brings a unique set of challenges to the classroom. For instance, Patricia has worked extensively with a student overcoming dyslexia, employing strategies like extended test times and specialized learning materials. Such accommodations are not just adjustments—they’re lifelines that ensure every learner has a fair chance to succeed.

Celebrating Success

Recognition plays a vital role in keeping students motivated. Patricia’s program hosts graduation ceremonies complete with medals and treat bags, honoring each student’s achievement. These celebrations are not just about the diploma—they’re about acknowledging the perseverance, hard work, and transformation each student has undergone.

The Teacher’s Role: More Than a Mentor

For teachers, the journey of an adult learner is deeply personal. It’s about more than academics; it’s about being a cheerleader, a confidant, and a guide. Teachers often take extra steps to familiarize themselves with testing systems like the GED and HiSET to provide the best support. Patricia even encourages her team to take practice tests themselves, ensuring they can empathize with students’ challenges and guide them effectively.

Looking Ahead

Adult education is ever-evolving, with opportunities for growth and innovation. This episode of the podcast wants to include your exciting initiatives. Sharing and collaborating ideas aim to increase enrollment and make adult education more accessible and inclusive.

For adult learners, the journey is transformative. It’s an honor for teachers to walk alongside them and witness their growth and resilience. Together, they prove that education truly has the power to change lives.

Take a listen to IAACE Journey of Adult Learner- A Teacher’s Perspective, click here.

Note: ‘Shantae’ is a pseudonym that protects the student’s privacy.

Jenn Wigginton

Jenn is the IAACE Executive Director. Her passion for adult education shines through in everything she does for IAACE. You can invite her to a chat for questions anytime. Click here to book a time to chat with Jenn