Remaining Diligent Amid Online Learning
Since the onset of the pandemic in March of 2020, we have adapted our Adult Learning Program to an online model. While we value the security measures and mandates that keep us safe, we can't wait to be together in the classroom again! Along the way, our Adult Education team has consistently found creative solutions to keep our students on track with their studies. Each month, our teachers create homework packets for their students, which they (safely) deliver every two weeks. These homework packets are returned to our teachers, who grade them, and call each of their students to discuss their progress. In addition, we've paid for all students to have WiFi on their phones so they’re able to receive weekly pre-recorded video lessons, engage in video tutoring sessions, and send pictures of homework when they’re experiencing difficulties. Our teachers and students alike have expressed their sadness in not being able to learn from each other in a group setting, but they’re finding ways to stay in touch and maintain as much normalcy as possible given extensive logistical and technological challenges.
No matter how accessible we try to make it, studying from home is hard--especially when you have an average household size of seven people, and you’re responsible for helping your children and siblings complete their homework, not to mention daily cooking, cleaning, and child rearing responsibilities. But our students continue to demonstrate an eagerness to learn. Since the transition to at-home learning, we’re proud to report that we’ve maintained a 100% student retention rate.
Our Adult Education Program provides the opportunity to obtain a high school degree - something that many of our students weren’t able to pursue at a young age due to familial economic pressures. As our adult learners remain diligent and disciplined with their studies, most also hold part or even full time jobs and the vast majority are parents. Our program provides the flexibility and support that this unique population requires through an expedited model that allows our students to complete elementary, middle and high school in a total of 6 years.
Education is the key to economic success for our participants, whether they’re teen moms graduating from high school or our eldest participants learning to read and write for the first time. One of our adult learners, Juana, began working in the garbage dump when she was nine years old. Now a 28-year-old mother of four, she first became integrated at Creamos’ via our Emotional Support Program. After learning about all of our program offerings from one of our psychologists, she decided to begin studying. In January of 2020, Juana attended her first day of school.
“In Creamos' education program I am really happy,” she says. “Even through these [COVID] circumstances, I continue to study and receive support from my teacher. It’s my first year studying...It has been a beautiful experience, my teacher is so caring and thoughtful and so willing to help us learn. I’ve never studied before so there are many things I don't know, but my teacher has helped me feel confident. My son is in the same grade as me, so we do our homework together. I am grateful to the institution of Creamos for this opportunity.”
Like Juana, we remain grateful for those who believe in our mission and in the potential of our adult learners.