Mentors

I've been running an online LiteracyLink classroom for a few years and have seen a lot of adult learners obtain GEDs and workplace skills through dedicated exposure to e-Learning activities on the internet. Of course, studying online is a pretty new concept. As the manager of Virginia's statewide GED Helpline, I have noticed that people who are looking for a steady well-paying job, and need educational credentials, like the GED and the Career Readiness Certificate, also need to increase their technology skills. People need help to overcome the digital divide, because online learning is here to stay. In my role as counselor and mentor to adult learners, I am happy to steer people in the right direction and help folks work through their challenges as they seek to better themselves. However, I also believe that the path to self-sufficiency is best traveled by those with a DIY ethic - Do It Yourself - and never give up. I am based in Richmond at the Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center and my title is Assistant GED Specialist.

I am a Pre-GED Teacher at Coffeewood Correctional Center near Culpeper, Virginia. I was also the GED teacher at Orange County High School for three years working with students at risk of not finishing high school.

I have a master’s degree from the University of Virginia and many years’ experience teaching adults in a variety of settings. I have taught older adults in a wellness program at UVA, did much staff training and development as a manager with the Marriott Corporation for eight years, and taught thousands of people of all ages while a full-time instructor for the American Red Cross for three years. I also worked for the Alzheimer’s Association, training professional caregivers in retirement communities and nursing homes.

I love teaching the variety of subjects on the GED test. My students have been very successful in preparing for and passing the GED Test.

I've been an instructor for the past 4 years with quality training in
education. I am a resourceful problem solver and an effective communicator with a passion for growth and learning. Keys to my success include; a solid grasp of pedagogical methods, a strong classroom presence, excellent planning and follow through skills, and a genuine interest in helping others. Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, I attended Henrico County Public Schools. Prior to teaching, I worked in sales and marketing. Currently, I hold a Master's Degree in Business Administration and an undergraduate degree in Business Administration.

When not mentoring for eLEARN Virginia, I work in the Southwest Virginia area at the Russell County Alternative Center, which is a part of Russell County Public Schools. I have been teaching for about four years now, both in the classroom and online. My degree is in education with a concentration in business education.

I am a graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Safety and Health and a Master of Science degree in Vocational Industrial Education and thirty-six hours in Counselor Education. I have worked at Davidson Community College as a Basic Skills Instructor and currently work with Danville Public Schools as an adult education teacher and coordinator with the Danville Redevelopment Housing Authority. In addition, I serve as the Staff Development Specialist for the Danville Adult Education Center. I have been a member of VAACE for three years serving as the awards chairperson and secretary. I have conducted presentations on adults and stress management in various locations including Virginia, North Carolina and West Virginia.

I have been working in adult education since 1989. I've taught in several kinds of programs and worked with a wide range of students. In addition to being an online instructor, I am currently a Title I Reading Specialist at a Richmond public high school. I enjoy meeting students online and find that it's an easy and convenient way for them to learn. Thanks to technology, people can now sit in front of their computer screens and talk in real time to people all over the world. I think that's pretty neat, and it makes me wonder what other technological advances I'll be able to experience in my lifetime.