Threshold Fall/Winter 2008

Mommy Graduated!
by Laura Haug, OSB

Graduation Day, June 2008, was cause for celebration for Samantha Elias, her husband, and their four children. They were joined by parents, in-laws, cousins, and friends who were present when Samantha received her high school diploma. Three year old Bailey had the favorite greeting, “Mommy graduated!”

During the seven years after dropping out of high school, Samantha had never wavered in her plan to complete high school as soon as all the children were in school. However, this plan changed for the better when she discovered that she could enroll Bailey in the Family Literacy Program while she worked for her GED at Happy Hearts Adult Learning Center in Atchison.

The Family Literacy Program helps families in several ways. In cooperation with the GED program, it provided a learning environment for Bailey while Samantha attended classes, but there was an additional component for Samantha. Each day, after lunch with Bailey, she had one-on-one learning experiences with her daughter under the supervision of Stephanie Gardner, director of the center. Samantha duplicated these experiences with her other three children at home, adapting techniques to the ages and personalities of the individuals.

Samantha agrees that she has become a better mother as a result of this program. She is more at ease in building a relationship with her nine year old, Joni, as she shares her special interests in music and dance. “Dalton, my seven year old, has become a good, interested reader,” Samantha says with pride. “Shared interest and help can make learning important.” Five year old Dean, the cuddly child always eager to please, is being directed to become more independent. Bailey, the three year old, continues quality time with her mother.

How has this program helped Samantha? First, earning her diploma has filled the void she always felt after dropping out of high school. Then, she surprised herself by earning high marks on the GED tests, which merited her a scholarship to cover tuition and book fees at Highland Community College. Smiling, she responded to this information with, “I guess I’m smarter than I thought.” She will begin her college work when Bailey is in school. Most importantly, Samantha believes she has set a good example for her family. The children have benefitted from her experience and her husband, Jerad, is making arrangements to complete his high school in the near future.

Samantha is one of a number of GED students who have profited from the Family Literacy Program and each has his or her own story to tell. Pictured below are Samantha and Jerad with their children Joni, Dalton, Dean and Bailey.