Self Confidence

Preparing to enter the world of returning to school

By Melanie
Just the thought of remedial training scared me to death. I never thought I had it in me to return to the world of numbers and reading and writing. My teachers were very encouraging for me. I really learned a lot of new things that I would have never learned on my own.
I learned computer skills that I now use every day even at home. My writing skills have improved and our teacher has even published a few of my writings on a class web site. It has given me self confidence that I never knew I had. I mastered a 40 word per minute on the Mavis Typing Beacon as well. I even got to relearn the dreaded MATH. I believe I have relearned enough math to successfully get me through college.
College will start on August 14th. I am excited and scared all at the same time, just like I was when I first started CAP classes. But now I am a little more secure with myself. I believe you can do anything you set your mind to. You just have to have the ambition to do it and do it well.
Thank you CAP for helping me achieve my goals and it's on to college this fall.

Wonderful Learning Experience

By Linda A.
Coming to CAP Adult Learning Center for the first time was pretty scary. When we took the TABE test, I said, “They’ll probably put me back in Kindergarten.” I’m glad my scores weren’t that bad. Actually, I was pleased with them considering I had been out of school for so long. Math was my biggest concern. I had taken algebra and geometry in high school, but I had forgotten most of what I learned. Algebra was not one of my favorite subjects and I wondered if I would ever learn it again. On the other hand, Geometry was one of my favorite subjects, so I felt more confident about doing it again. I also knew there would be a lot of writing in college, which is not one of my strong points. I love to read, but I have never liked to write. The computer was another thing I knew almost nothing about, but I knew I was going to have to learn.
Attending classes at the Adult Learning Center has been such a wonderful learning experience. When I first started I never thought I’d be sharing my writing with others. I’m still not a very good writer, but now it doesn’t bother me so much to share my writing. I would never have dreamed I could help anyone on the computer either, but now with my notes I can. Without my notes I’m as lost as they are. Sometimes I can even help others with math problems.

Back in February I had no idea I would ever be able to do this.In three weeks I’ll start college classes for the first time. This is scary and at the same time exciting. Without the help I have received at the Adult Learning Center, there’s no way I could have went to college. I probably wouldn’t have made it through the first week. Now I feel more confident about being able to do the work. I know I will have to study a lot to get through college. At my age, I don’t remember things as well as I once did. I’m glad to be starting college with people I worked with at Rockcastle Manufacturing. This way I won’t feel so out of place with the younger students.

A Blessing

By Wendy

When I found out that Rockcastle Mfg was closing I was devastated. I couldn’t imagine what we were going to do. I knew that my husband and I couldn’t make it without my paycheck. I didn’t know which way to turn. When they mentioned returning back to school that was the last thing on my mind. I really didn’t want to go back to school. When I was in school I had to study so hard and really didn’t want to go through that again. It was a relief to learn that we could draw unemployment for a year, it would give me time to find a new job.

When they told us that we could go to college for two years and it would be paid for I really started to think. I knew that I would never get an opportunity like this again. I knew if I could just make it through two years I could have a better paying job in something that I might would enjoy. My mind really started to change. This could really be a blessing. I really got frightened when I thought about school, it had been so long since I had been in school. I knew that I had forgotten so much. I didn’t know what to do.

Then we were told to come to CAP and that really became a blessing. Coming to CAP really showed me how much I had forgotten. With the classes and all the help that we have received I knew that felt better about going to college.

Now that it is almost time for us to start college I am still a little nervous but a little excited also. I am ready to get started. I never thought that losing my job would become such a blessing. At the beginning I was devastated but now I am ready to get started on my new career. It’s funny how a bad situation can be turned into a good one.

Opportunity

By Leslie

At this time last year I was working at Rockcastle Mfg. We had just found out in July, after vacation that the factory was going to close. They were taking our work to Mexico. This was not a big shock, we knew for a while things were not looking very good for our jobs. I guess you could say, we knew it was coming but when it actually did it was just hard to accept. We were all just trying to figure out what we were going to do. Some people had already gone on to find other jobs. But most of us were riding it out to the end. Then one day we were told that because our work was going over seas that we would have the opportunity to go back to school if we chose to do so.
This was really something to think about. The Trade Readjustment Act would allow us to go to school for two years and it would be paid for. This was due to our jobs going to a foreign country. Also, we could draw our unemployment for the two years. This was something to really think about. How many times would a person get an opportunity like this?
There were several of us that decided to go back to school. For me, this was something that I always wanted to do but never had the opportunity. I was really looking forward to going to school. But the closer the time came to actually do this the more nervous and scared I became. We had to start in the adult education program first to get us ready for actual college because most of us had been out of school for so long.
The day came when we had to go to the adult education center and do testing to see where we needed to start. I was scared to death. Before it was just a thought and now it was actually happening. I was scared to death of taking a test. It had been nineteen years since I had taken a test. But once I got there, it wasn’t so bad. Everyone was so nice to me and went out of their way to help me. That really helped me feel comfortable and relax a little.
Then the time came to start the adult education process. I was nervous at first, but I was also excited to start learning. I was mainly scared that I wouldn’t be able to do the work or couldn’t learn as fast as everyone else. But I have done better than I ever dreamed I would and that made me feel more confident.
Now it almost time to start actual college. And again I am having the same nervous and scared feelings. But I try to tell myself that I had the same feelings when I started the adult education and that has gone wonderfully. I just hope college goes as well.This time last year, going to school was just a thought of what we would do when our jobs were over. There was a lot of nervousness and worry at that time but now I think we are feeling more confident and secure with our choice.

I Am Proud of My Group of Friends and CoWorkers

July 21, 2005 Compared to July 21, 2006

By Dianna C.

This is a paper about my life today compared to my life at this time last year. I was working at Rockcastle Manufacturing and had been back from vacation for only a few weeks. During these few weeks, my own life as well as my coworkers had been turned upside down. The day after returning from vacation, our management staff called us all in a meeting and announced that our factory would soon be shut down. I remember sitting in that break room looking at all those faces and thinking what would they all do? I was thinking about the single moms, and the older workers who would have a hard time finding a job and those that would be left without any insurance. When you see these people more than you see your own family, your natural response is to worry about them first. It really didn’t sink in that I was in the exact same situation until I was home later that evening, by myself, allowing my mind to roam. When you are given such a shocking set of circumstances, I think your mind partially goes numb.
The next few weeks and months are kind of a blur to me now. It consisted of countless discussions of what each person would eventually do with their life. I remember seeing faces with tears walk by every day and comments of disgust where abundant. People were scared, upset, mad, relieved and some even happy. It was quite a mix of emotions amongst people who had grown very close.
Eventually the last day of work arrived and then it was over. I don’t know what I thought would happen but it just kind of ended. I went home and sat there like an idiot. I suddenly had all the time in the world to do whatever I wanted but nothing seemed remotely interesting. After all, you can only clean your house or sleep late a certain number of times before you become immune to the privilege. I busied myself with life in general and then it was time to start adult education classes in preparation for college.
Starting the adult education classes was a little intimidating at first but soon proved to be very interesting. During the first few months, I think we were all a little concerned as to whether we could actually handle this whole college thing or not. Pretty soon we were all learning new things and levels of confidence were starting to improve. I don’t think any of us thought that we would do as well as we have. Some of us have mastered some complicated algebra and some have become quite accomplished writers. Most all of us have completed the entire process to begin college in August, which in itself is a huge accomplishment.
This pretty much brings me full circle to now – July 21, 2006. At this point in time, I am only a few weeks away from starting college and can’t believe what has happened in a year. Looking back on the last twelve months, it sometimes feels like a lifetime has gone by. I think it feels this way because I am not the same person. I am not the same person that would stand in that factory and settle for whatever the day brought. I am not that scared person nor am I that subdued person anymore. I am now a person who has gone through the first phase of something very difficult and truly believes that she can make it through the rest. I understand that it will be very difficult but at the same time I know that I will ultimately reap the rewards. It is amazing what can transpire in a short year, lives can completely change and in our cases, I believe for the better.

I am proud of my group of friends and coworkers, as well as myself. I am looking forward to seeing these people in July of 2008 with their degree in hand. I hope they never again doubt themselves or their abilities. I have always been a firm believer in the saying, “that which does not kill you only makes you stronger”. I think we will be fabulous examples of this

Blessing in Disguise

By Shannon

When I first learned that the factory was shutting down I was scared and excited. It was scary about not having a full time job with that paycheck every week. It was exciting to think about the new opportunities and possibilities that were waiting for me. The more I thought about it the more I realized that this was a blessing in disguise. I now have the opportunity that most people can only dream about. Who could pass up the chance to go to college while the government pays for everything? I never want to have to go back to a factory.
When we first started coming to CAP I was a little worried about the math part. I had always done ok with school but math was never my strong point. I just kept thinking I was never going to be able to go to college because I would never figure out how to do the stupid fractions. After the first couple of classes I started feeling more and more confident. Finally I figured out fractions. I realized that if I just worked hard, studied, and wasn’t afraid to ask for help I just might be able to get through all of this. We have been coming here for almost six months now and I feel like I can go on to the next chapter of my life and not be scared. CAP has really helped me feel better about myself. I know if I get to college and have trouble with a certain area that I can come to Keith or Janet and they will try to help me.
In a few weeks I will officially be a college student. I was terrified that I would get to class and have no clue what was going on or what I was suppose to do. I now feel that I am better prepared than most starting school with me. I am not terrified and I know I can do this now. If I had not came to CAP and had Janet and Keith to help me I know I would still be terrified. I owe both of them a big thanks for helping prepare me for what lies ahead.

Faith In Myself

By Mary

In February was the first time I attended the Adult Education Learning Center. At that time I had been out of school for ten years and I didn’t really know what to expect about going back to school. Some of my feeling was being afraid that all that I had learned in school was forgotten. The math was what terrified me the most because it was not my best subject in school. Even though I made B’s in the subject, I knew that I had forgotten how to do some of the math. I was afraid that all my hard work I had done in high school went to waste. Then I heard we had to take a test, called the TABE. I was horrified. I had not taken a test in ten years. It made me so nervous that I couldn’t think about anything except that test. When I came up here for the first time, and took the test, all my anxiety left. Also my biggest fear was that I would disappoint myself, that I would not be able to do the work. I would make comments to my husband, “I would go to see how dumb I was.” I am my worst critic that I question everything I do. After all the paper work was done and we started the schoolwork, I felt better. As I did some of the work, I noticed that when I answered a question I would second guess the answer and change it. Then when I would check the work andthe first answer I had was the right one.
I had very little confidence in myself. Now that I have 5 months of school behind me my attitude has changed about school. I am not nervous or afraid of what to expect.
Now that I have been in school for a while, I have realized that I have not forgotten all I learned in school, it was still there. I just need to jar my brain to wake it up. My faith in myself came back. I don’t doubt what I do like I did early in the year. I am not afraid to take a test, it doesn't consume every thought. In August I will be attending college at Somerset Community North Campus. I am a little anxious, but not like I was in February. I believe attending Adult Education has helped me in my attitude, my confidence and in my ability to do the work. My confidence in myself has come a long way. I see going to back to school as an opportunity to give family and myself a better future and a secure job. I am looking forward to going to college and the learning experience that is ahead. My attitude has changed in many ways, I am eager to learn, and can’t wait to get started. I also found it out that learning is not hard. Learning can be easy and fun if you are willing and want to. I am going to keep an open mind and be a sponge and soak up everything. I want to get everything from this experience I can. This is an opportunity to do something just for me and it will benefit my family and me. The next big step is still ahead. College is going to be challenging, but I believe I can do it.

Everybody was in the Same Boat

By Melissa

Our factory shut down in September of 2005. We were not prepared for the dramatic change. Everybody was in the same boat; we had worked in the factory for years some longer then others. This was our source of income and for some their main source. We had been given a choice of finding a job or go back to school and retrain for a better job. The decision was hard for some and for some it was like a dream come true. I would say I was in the middle.

When I had to decide on which option to choose from it didn’t take me long to make a decision. I decided to go back to school. I thought on how nice it would be to go to a job that you like and go to a job and make really good money. Then I thought how wonderful a new job would be. Then I thought can I do this, I have been out of school for a while, am I smart enough, and will I make it?

Now I have been going to an Adult Learning Center for almost 6 months and I’m confident to say I have answered some of my questions before I started here. When I started at ALC we had to take some tests to find out were we needed help to get us ready for college. Boy was it different from working in a factory! When working in a factory you don’t use your brain. You do the same thing over and over 8 hrs a day 5 days a week. I always claimed I could sew a pair of pants with my eyes closed.

Coming to school for so many days a week and so many hours a day is hard. Using your brain is much harder then working in a factory. There was so much that I forgot since school. Then there was stuff that I didn’t even learn in school. I thought if learning things I forgot since school or learning new things was so hard, Could I do it when I go on to college? I do feel like I have an advantage over some of the women that I use to work with and go to school with now. Some of the ladies have worked at the factory a lot longer then me, some of them are almost at the age of retirement, a lot of them had worked there all of their life, and most of them have been out of school a long time.

I think it has been hard for all of us. I think we all have come along ways. We have almost finished our training and fixing to go on our different ways. CAP has done a lot for us. They have taught me so much. They have really great teachers that want to help you succeed. They have encouraged us that we could do anything if we set our mind to it and if there is a job you want, don’t let anything stand in your way.

Coming to CAP for school for 6 months has got us in a routine for college. I think college won't be such a bother because we are used to coming to school. I think if we didn’t come to CAP it would be hard to regulate our agenda for college. CAP is great and I would recommend if you need any kind of educational needs, CAP would help you.

"You Go Girl"

On September 19, 2005 I lost my job at Rockcastle Manufacturing (Cintas), through no fault of my own. The CEO and higher-ups, apparently decided that there was a greater profit to be made from the foreign market than from the plant in Rockcastle County. Be that as it may, the point is I lost a job that I had every intention of retiring from at 65 or 66 years of age. Well sometimes life will take a strange turn and all your plans for the future go up in smoke, here today, gone tomorrow. I had invested over 11 years in that job, and yes it was a very scary thing to lose it.
Part of the results to the plant closing was a severance package and the chance to go back to school. As upset as most people were, some of the employees were very excited about the chance to go to college, and not have to pay for it because, as I understand, when a plant closes its doors, part of the process involves paying for former workers to go back to school and train for a better paying job. Thus, here begins my story.
I had mixed feelings about the plant closure, the thought of being unemployed for the first time in many years, and some relief, because it really was a hard place to work. .
I decided to attend school as soon as I was sure we were really out the door, because this was probably a golden opportunity for someone my age. I had never thought that I would get this chance, so when the door opened I stepped right through. I can honestly say I have never been so terrified in my life as when I made that final decision. Going back to school at any time is more than likely scary, but when you have been out for numerous years it is absolutely petrifying! My first thought was, I am 46 years old and I am too old to go back to school, and my next thought was, wait one minute, I have heard of people starting back at 70 years old, so what do I have to fear? I sure found out in a hurry that it was not easy, but some of the best things life has to offer are never easy. I had forgotten most of what I had learned in school, but with hard work and determination I feel I can succeed. Not only that, but it makes me proud of myself for at least trying. If for some reason I fail to take this chance to the limits, then that will be my shortcoming, because with all the help out there for everyone, there really is no excuse not to make this work. When I was in school we didn’t have a computer at every corner and we sure didn’t have the means we do now to find out about anything, really we want to know about. The places you can go to get information is amazing. Until I started remedial classes at CAP, in preparation for college, I had never touched a computer in my life. I didn’t even know how to turn one on or off. And guess what? I now own one! It is an amazing thing, this computer. I am partly scared to death of it and mostly amazed by it. I would never have gotten one if I had not started back to school. I still don’t know a lot about my computer, but I am just interested enough and just determined enough to see this thing through. We have some really good teachers at the center. From these teachers we have learned enough to get interested in learning the rest. We may never be experts at computers, but I bet we now know more than when we first started. They have their hands full because so many of us did decide to go to college, and we need remedial classes to prepare for it, but all in all the teachers do a pretty good job. I’m sure it would have been easier with smaller classes, but I think they are proud of each of us for trying. Encouragement means a lot when you are doing something new, and I can say without a doubt that I personally have received quite a bit of it. Not only from friends and teachers, but from family as well. Only a few people have made the comment about age and I sure can put them in their place in a hurry. If starting over by going to school lands me in a really good higher paying job, well let the comments roll! I am doing this for myself and because I may never get this chance again, so I know I will give it my best shot.
I have decided to make my major in college a Physical Therapist Assistant. I have been told this is not an easy major, but I am still going to try. If I do make it through this class I will get to work in the medical field where the pay is very good and the benefits will make all the hard work worth the effort. I am doing research on my chosen field, on the computer, and by talking to people who work at this or have family or friends who do, and all I have heard so far has been positive.
So yes I was scared when I lost my job, but now I am so busy planning for the future and my time in college that it is not something I dwell on. I try to look at all the positive things instead of uncertainty about the future and it helps. As I often start to get scared all over again I think about my bank account a few years down the road of life and the phrase that comes to mind is “you go girl”.
For any one who reads this the main point is don’t let anger and being afraid stop you from taking a chance to do better in life. I know from personal experience how hard it is to lose a job and start over, and if I can do this anyone can. You see it is not just the fear of starting over, I also have a loss of hearing to deal with and sometimes the frustration alone makes me want to throw up my hands and quit, but I am not going to do that under any conditions because I still have to make a living, I still have to live and I intend to as long as I am able, standing on my own two feet! My hope is that people in general will understand my handicap and be patient with me because this was not something I chose to happen to me, I have had a hearing problem all my life. I don’t expect special attention, as a matter of fact I loath that kind of thing. I just wish everyone would speak in a really loud voice. Ha Ha.

Thank you, Linda

Good News

By Tressa

I guess this is to compare my thoughts and attitudes about coming here now to how I felt about it when I first started. When I first started here at ALC I felt a little scared, and a little nervous, but the folks up here made me feel real welcome. I have been out of school for about twenty-two years, yea I’m an old critter, but that’s o.k. because most of us up here are too (no offense).
I guess my worst fear was that I was not smart enough or that everyone would think I was just plain stupid. Good news!! I’m not that dumb after all, and these good ole folks up here helped me to see and believe that. Before I came to ALC the thought of going off to college was very intimidating, but not now I’m actually a little excited to go.
The people up here are the best; I mean it they really are. I can honestly say that I will miss these fine folks; they have helped prepare us for another step in our lives. I know that we would not have been ready for this if it had not been for this program and its caring people.
So I guess in conclusion to my little comparison essay, I would have to say THANK YOU ALC for all your help and good works.

The Best Outcome

Feelings About Going Back To School

By Bessie

I worked at the Rockcastle Manufacturing. for 10-½ years before the plant closed down. I had a choice of attending the Adult Learning Center or finding a job. I chose to attend classes with no intention of furthering my education. I thought this would be perfect opportunity to rest up and still have a check coming in. Later on as time went by, I was going to find a job and go back to work.
I am still attending the Adult Learning Center. Time is closing in to make a decision to get a job or go on and further my education.
I can get a better paycheck if I get a job. I can get a paycheck if I go on to college but for less money. I could get a job that I hated. I could go to college and get a job that I would enjoy for the rest of my life. A job isn’t going be as time consuming as going to college. Both choices have hard work and at times will be very stressful.
College in the end would be the best outcome. Everyone should better them self if the opportunity arises.
.

Read My Story!!!

By Dina

When I first started to come up to the Christian Appalachian Project for school I was very disheartened. I had just lost my job that I thought I would retire from someday. The plans that I had for my life had been just thrown out of the window and I wasn’t sure what direction I would go. When I started school I felt so out of place. I had been out of school for about twenty years and did not think that I could do it. It has been different from anything I have ever done in my life. When I was young and in school, it was more like I had to go. Now that I have been going back to school at the Christian Appalachian Project, I have learned so much more than I did when I was in High School. I guess by me being older, it feels like a second chance. I had thought about going to college and even went so far as to going to orientation and getting my classes. I finally came to the decision that I do not think that college is for me. I know that a lot of older people go back to college, but it was really stressing me out. I thought about where I lived, if I would be driving farther. I have always lived in Rockcastle County and more than likely will not move away.
I had to stop and look at what I would have gone to college for and if I could find a job. I decided that I probably would do just as well to go to the Work Essential Skills classes and find a job in the surrounding counties. If I had been younger I probably would have gone to college, but I do not regret not going now. I have really enjoyed learning math and being able to write about something and not be afraid for someone to read it. When I first came to computer class I had no idea of how to turn it on or off. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to be able to come up to Christian Appalachian Project and learn all things that I have. Even if I never use a lot of this in my job, I hope someday, I can help my son if he has a problem in school. I can use my computer to do almost anything. I have more confidence in myself and the things I can do.

"I CAN DO THIS"

By Veronica


My factory shut down and moved overseas. According to the new government rules this entitled me to TRA (Trade Readjustment Assistance) this allows me to be re-trained in the work field. I will be paid to go to school plus the government will pay for my college. This sounds like the opportunity of a lifetime, but for me it was a very scary feeling. Telling someone who has a family and monthly bills and obligations to give up a weekly paycheck and benefits can be overwhelming. You still receive unemployment but for myself it is less than working at a job. As the day approached to go to the ALC, all my fears of going to school resurfaced such as: ‘Can’t afford to do this’ ‘I can’t go to school, I’m 40’ ..‘I haven’t been to school in forever’.. “I can’t take a computer class I don’t know that much about them”. I was giving myself all the reasons of why I couldn’t go to school, but to my surprise, my family have been the ones who have encouraged me to go on to school.

I am five months into my education at ALC and believe it or not, it’s not that bad, “I CAN DO THIS.” I have learned a lot with computers. I am refreshed on my mathand I am learning how to type. I will be attending a forty-two week program that will help me get a job in a office doing secretarial work. Am I scared? The answer is no. I think coming to the ALC has taken the edge off of doing schoolwork and learning new things. I am glad I decided to go on to school and I think I will enjoy starting the office essentials program.

Learn Something New Everyday

By Lisa M

For twelve years I worked in a factory. Then one day they came and told us that it was closing its doors and moving to Mexico. That was the day that my whole life changed. When it closed we were given the opportunity to go back to school if we wanted to. A lot of people decided to further their education and some of them decided to get out and look for a job. We started up here at CAP in February. When I started I was thinking that it has been sixteen years since I have been in school and, "am I going to be able to do this?" Let me tell you that you don’t realize how much you have forgotten until you start doing math, English, etc. I realized that for my self that I had forgotten a lot and that I was behind. But now I am where I need to be thanks to the hard working teachers here.
I was planning to go on to college but for financial reasons I just decided to take an office essentials course. Coming up here to school is nothing compared to working in a factory. When you work in a factory, you go in and do the same thing day in and day out. It’s the same old routine nothing ever changes. You work hard for your money, so the harder you worked the more money you made. But when you are going to school you can do different things like math, computers, English, etc. It is so much more laid back and you sort of do your own thing. While we are going back to school we are able to draw what they call TRA benefits. This is for people also called “dislocated workers” that were working for someone and they decided to move their company overseas. You do not get paid what you were being paid from the place that you worked, far from it. But at least you do have some form of income. I always thought that I would be in that factory forever, but life can change in an instant. This time for the better. I really like coming up here and learning something new everyday. You never know what you are going to do. I like it that way. Hopefully I won’t have to work in another factory again. I’m hoping that coming up here to CAP and then going on to Office Essentials Skills, that I will find a better job that has better pay and benefits, and that I won't have to work so hard (physically) in the process. Wish me luck.

Transition

TRANSITION
BY; SHARON

Most of us saw it coming at least a year before it actually happened. Some of us were worried. However, others felt it was the best thing that ever happened to us. I was undecided, there were arguments for the future of working in manufacturing, such as good benefits, production bonus, etc., but part of me was still holding on to the dream of having a career in a field I could really enjoy, moreover, the repetitious body movements were causing problems with my joints and muscles. And the dust and lint that I was inhaling every day, were starting to affect my physical and mental health. There was an underlying fear that I would never have a truly fulfilling career. The thought of going back to school was still far from my mind.
When prior to closing the factory, the management informed us we would have the option of furthering our education, expenses paid, I did not see this as an immediate solution, I was adamant about job hunting. After many fruitless contacts I realized I was out of touch with the skills I needed for a decent paying job. I finally decided, as a result of encouragement by management, Career Center, and people who had previously been in the same predicament and with the support and encouragement of my family and friends, to go back to school, but not without misgivings.
With a good deal of uncertainty, I embarked on my journey, which began with some help from the Christian Appalachian Project’s Adult Education Center. I knew it would be tough to learn Algebra, which I did poorly in high school. I soon learned I could depend on help and encouragement from the staff of CAP adult ED. This knowledge made me consider that it might actually be possible not only to make a passing grade, but to go on and work toward my goals with confidence. I did not feel so alone in my struggle. With the help of Math Teacher, Janet Heinz, and other helpers, I have completed all the series of Breakthrough to Math books and gotten to the Fifth chapter of the Algebra book. That’s good for me!
My writing and computer skills have drastically improved thanks to Keith Gilbertson, who has somehow found time to give me the help I needed on the computer, and the pointers he’s given me on writing have helped me to organize my thoughts.
All of these things and more, that CAP has done to help, has given me a big boost of confidence, and I now believe that I can really do something with the rest of my life that I will enjoy and that will contribute something to society as well..

Adventures in Learning

By Christina

I began taking classes at CAP back in March of this year, and wasn’t positive about how things would be. Now my time with CAP, is coming to an end and I have a different outlook on things.
We started out with a TABE test to see what you needed to review. I was nervous and was afraid I would score poorly. My test scores were shocking to me. I scored fairly okay, considering I had been out of school for seventeen years.
This gave me a little encouragement to get things rolling. It started off rocky and stressful. As time went by things came back to me and made it easier for me.
Math and English were my favorite subjects in high school, as well as now.
Now it wasn’t always easy and there were days I would be ready to quit. I learned to close the workbook and take a short break in order for work to be easier for me.
The classes we were reviewing were Math, Language, Computers, and the Work Keys Training. Meanwhile, the learning center has books on different subjects. If I were having trouble understanding the math I was working on, I would quit doing math and get a book on reading, writing, and science. This would help me forget my problem and learn something different all at the same time.
In comparing my feelings in March and now, going back to school is going to be an adventure for me. I have learned that you are never to old to go to school and be able to learn. There is an old saying, “you can’t teach an old dogs new tricks”, and this is what I’m saying also. You don’t learn new tricks about school, you learn as you always did before.

Submitted by: Christina

You Can Do It!

How I lost my job, and now am going back to school.

By Teresa C.
In September of 2005, Rockcastle Manufacturing shut down. I had worked there for twelve years, and didn’t know how to do nothing else. They gave us a choice of going back to school or finding another job. I chose to go back to school and was scared to death because I hadn’t finished high school, but did have my G.E.D.
In February of 2006 I started going to CAP at Renfro, along with about forty other students from the factory. We started taking classes in computers, language, and math. The workers at CAP have really taught me a lot. I didn’t know anything about computers and now I know a lot, thanks to Keith Gilbertson. In math, Janet Heinz taught me a lot that I didn’t know. Now I can do things in math that I never had in school.
All of us from the factory have come a long way. We will start college August 14. I am starting to get scared all over again, but I try to think on the positive side, and tell myself everything will be all right. We also have a lot of encouragement from everyone at CAP. It helps a lot to have someone to keep you thinking that you can do it.
If you ever get the chance to go back to school to better yourself, do it. If I can do it, you can do it. I promise it will beat standing on your feet for eight hours a day. I know, because I did it.