AASD celebrates adult learners
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Adult education transforms lives, strengthens communities and boosts the economy, according to Tina Swineford, director of the Altoona Area School District's adult education program.
In celebration of national adult education family literacy week, Swineford gave a presentation to Altoona Area School Board members Monday outlining the importance of the program to Blair County residents.
The district's adult education program started in 1969 and is funded through a competitive grant with the state Department of Education, Swineford said.
The program offers classes for Blair County residents, age 18 or older, to study for the General Educational Development test and earn a high school equivalency diploma. It also offers refresher classes for people who are looking to change careers or go back to school, either to college or a career and technology center, she said.
The classes are offered in morning, afternoon and evening sessions throughout the week to accommodate flexibility for the students, staff and volunteer classroom aides involved, Swineford said.
Last year, the program served 139 adult learners -- of which 92 were residents within the Altoona Area School District, Swineford said to the board, adding 25 learners earned their high school equivalency credential, 65 gained employment and 16 enrolled in area post-secondary schools.
"We're very proud that we've met or exceeded the PA Department of Education's performance outcomes," Swineford said during Monday's meeting.
This year, there are more than 90 students, like city resident Janette Aleksandrovic, who are pursuing high school equivalency diplomas and about 40 students who are taking refresher classes in social studies, mathematics, science and English Language Arts, according to Swineford.
Aleksandrovic said she enjoys the flexibility in her schedule because she can still volunteer every Wednesday at Overflow Church along Fifth Avenue. She also plans to begin a certified recovery specialist training class Friday at the Blair County Drug and Alcohol Program.
On Monday, Aleksandrovic was the first student to spin a wheel of prizes for adult education family literacy week. She claimed a gift basket as her prize. Swineford said other students will get to spin the wheel and earn prizes throughout the week.
Aleksandrovic said she received a score of 156 on her social studies GED pretest, noting she'll need a score of 145 to pass the test. She attributed the 11-point increase in her score over the last two weeks to her instructors for helping her succeed.
"I love the people here," Aleksandrovic said. "They're really nice and very patient. ... They're just really nice people."
Melissa Corle, another student enrolled in the program, said she already has her high school diploma but needed the refresher classes after being out of school for 18 years. Corle plans to attend college at Penn State Altoona and then pursue work as a physician's assistant.
Swineford said the district had an increase in state funding from last year, which has increased the program's enrollment target from 100 students during the 2023-24 year to 140 students this year.
'A vision for a brighter future'
When students enter the adult education program, many seem hesitant or scared to start their journey, Swineford said, adding many students "blossom" into confident, hopeful and enthusiastic individuals. The students build a strong bond with their instructors and other classmates, who hold each other accountable if a student misses a day of class, Swineford said.
"The people are inspiring. Every single one of them," she said. "The students are what make the school."
Swineford said the students enrolled in the program are there because they have a vision for a brighter future and are determined to overcome obstacles that have happened to them in the past.
Swineford said adult education programs allow people to break cycles of generational poverty. Many of the students are also showing their children the importance of an education by going back to school, she said.
Gerardo Gonzalez, a Philadelphia native who moved to Blair County from Hawaii, completed his first day in the program on Monday.
"I love it already. The teacher has been great," Gonzalez said, adding his goal is to obtain his high school equivalency diploma before his daughter gets her diploma in June.
Gonzalez admitted he "was really bad into certain things" while living in Philadelphia and had to change his ways when he moved to Hawaii.
"But I did end up changing my ways," he said. "When I met my wife, she motivated me to get my GED and to come back to school, so this is what I'm doing."
Sonya DeArmitt, Gonzalez's social studies teacher, said he is a "very motivated" student.
Even though there are separate math, science, social studies and English tests for the GED exam, all four subjects build on each other, DeArmitt said, adding strong reading skills are vital to passing the tests.
DeArmitt, a former seventh grade teacher at the Altoona Area Junior High School, said she enjoys working with students in the program.
"It's very rewarding. We see miracles happen here all the time," she said, adding the students are all admired. "We give them all the credit in the world for coming in here."
Susan Whisler, a classroom aide, said she's been volunteering to help the students succeed since retiring as the director of the Southern Alleghenies Workforce Development Board nearly two years ago.
"Who wouldn't want to be part of a program that's as uplifting as this one," Whisler rhetorically asked. "It's an amazing experience, and I'm so blessed to be a part of it."
On Monday, Whisler aided Altaniece Larkin with her English Language Arts studies. Larkin returned to the program after taking some time off and plans to become a certified nursing assistant after obtaining her diploma.
ESL added
The program will soon offer English as a second language services to adults in the area.
At the school board meeting, the board hired Emily Dimov-Gottshall as an ESL coordinator at a rate of $27 per hour.
When Dimov-Gottshall begins her role Monday, Sept. 23, she will be the seventh staff member on a team that includes three instructors, a data specialist, a student support coordinator and Swineford.
Swineford said Dimov-Gottshall will have to complete "all kinds of classes" that are required by the state before she can teach ESL classes as part of the program.
ESL classes should begin in about six weeks, and there's already a demand for ESL services in the area, Swineford said.
"I think we'll have more students than this room is going to be able to house," Swineford said while giving the Mirror a tour of the ArtsAltoona building's second floor on Monday.
ArtsAltoona agreement OK'd
The board also approved a three-year rental agreement during Monday's meeting that will keep the district's adult education program on the second floor of the ArtsAltoona building along Sixth Avenue through June 30, 2027.
The program has been housed at ArtsAltoona since 2020, when it moved out of the Stevens Building along East Crawford Avenue.
The agreement, which began July 1, states the district will pay $2,167 per month to rent the facility through June 2025, contingent upon restoring hot water, correcting water discoloration, replacing a second-floor toilet and repairing the kitchen's water pressure.
For the second year, rent will increase $50 per month to $2,217 through June 30, 2026, the agreement states. Rent for the third year will increase $75 per month to $2,292, contingent upon completion of the water repairs and the building being in good condition for occupancy.
Over the summer, the ArtsAltoona building had some flooding issues that impacted the basement and first floor, Superintendent Brad Hatch said, noting the second floor where the program is housed was unaffected by the issues. Repairs are being made to the facility to ensure it's viable for what the district needs, he said.
Board member David Francis asked what happens if the building is not suitable for students to go.
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Elementary Programs Haley Fleegle said there's a clause in the agreement stating the repairs need to be made in the first year or rent will not increase.
Francis said a lot of people have shared their experiences in the adult education program with him.
"They take such pride, and they're so happy that they're moving in their life. You guys do an excellent job," Francis told Swineford. "I commend you. We all do."
School board President Val Mignogna said he thinks adult education programs are "such an important thing to offer the community."
Swineford said the ArtsAltoona building is on a bus route and is also within walking distance for a lot of students.
Fleegle said accessibility at ArtsAltoona was a "big determining factor" when the district was looking at potential locations for the program.
"We looked at a lot of different places that had nice facilities, but they wouldn't have been feasible for students," Fleegle said.