Grandma masters her education goals
Posted on July 6th, 2009 in Degree News
Shirlyn in the spirit of Smith, it is never too late to play in adversity.
The village has recently received her master’s degree in adult education from North Carolina A & T University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. This is impressive, but it is not always a foregone conclusion.
In nearly 40 years, the grandmother of four completed a hiatus of 20 years of school and began studying Services Richmond Community College. Richmond was a member of the senior class 75.
“In high school I was an average student,” he said. “I did it, and I loved school, but then I was not very focused on continuing my education. After the children and realized the importance of education, which is when I really started to love to go to college. My youngest son, Maurice, is a high school diploma the same year I graduated from RCC.
To make the leap of faith, return to school, however, Smith had to be pushed outside their comfort zone, and is in the form of something in May that made some people cast their hands in despair.
“While working as a technician of food in the school system, I was told that I was not” material in the cafeteria, “said Smith.” Then I was in shock. Now I realize they were right. Impressive comment motivated me to register with the CCR, which began my journey to achieve a higher level of education. ”
For Smith, RCC poses some difficulty adjusting to the use of computers and new technologies, but the wine making adjustments Internet classes Gardner-Webb, particularly through attending courses on the campus of A & T.
CR was not difficult for me to get used to, because it is here at home and I had colleagues who were actually my age, “he said. “When I came to Gardner-Webb, and the third cycle at A & T, which is when you really hard. Ordinary computer that was not bad, but works with the Blackboard online classes and has a little time and effort and a lot of discipline. ”
Blackboard is a computer program used in many higher education institutions, almost like a web page for students. Using Blackboard, students can find work, programs, grades and student information, but can be difficult to navigate, until it dominates.
Work in services has continued its challenge to keep abreast of technology, too.
“I had to go out and get a Blackberry, so that people can text,” he said. “If you want to reach young people, which is how you do, say” me “.
However, in the A & T is difficult to follow with the age of 20 who grew up in the era of personal computing.
“Being on campus with young students, it is different,” he said. “It is useful because it can be with technology and what happens in society, but at the same time, she always feel you’re behind.”
This feeling would not stop Smith from the achievement of each goal for his career, although it needs a little help from some friends and the spirit to set up a cooperative effort. They call their “cohort.”
“Once I committed to him, I knew I was going to end,” he said. “There is no doubt in my mind at that time. However, working with the cohort actually helped me. We studied together, we car-pooled, we really did everything together. It is very useful having that support. ”
Martha Williams was the founder of the cohort. Also non-traditional 30-something students, which has unfortunately been temporarily removed from the university for his young son in the battle against cancer.
Smith said working with the cohort helped develop a deep admiration for Smith and Smith was there to help their staff through the issues he encountered.
“She is very studious, intelligent and dedicated, has done is perhaps provide the resources,” he said. “Once you put your mind to it, no doubt he would . It is the kind of person. ”
On a personal level, supported by William Smith and his family received a great compliment. “She was an angel on earth to me,” he says.
Smith also said to keep an open mind to new ideas facilitated their success.
“Open my mind allows me the opportunity to learn that my greatest success,” he said. “I became my adventure education studies. I was very interested and ready to leave my familiar places and spaces to try out different forms and happily acquired new skills and exciting.
“Now I have a desire to increase my knowledge with new information every day. If I watch the news or read a book, try to use every moment as a time of learning.”
It also may have lost sight of his family through academic challenges, he admits, but his 11-year-old granddaughter Kalaysia said she was not.
“It is a good grandmother to speak,” said Kalaysia. “You can also learn a lot from him. She likes all of the bottom of your heart!”
However, it is satisfied with the choice made for several reasons, among which is that it can inspire someone to persist and achieve their happiness.
Perhaps in the way the story of Malcolm X of education itself inspired during his imprisonment in order to succeed.
“I’m really glad I waited because I was able to be disciplined and stay focused in a way that I did not feel that I could then,” said Smith. “I love my work … These fields can help people to me, and I hope my first back in college, almost 40 years to encourage others to get your college degree.
“With prayer and the discipline of the will to achieve, can obtain an associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees, too. To God be the glory!
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