“I was 14 years old, and I thought I knew it all.” Deborah Gardner said about quitting school in 1967 to
get married. “I was helping my mom keep house while she worked and figured if I was going to keep up
a household, it might as well be my own.” By the time Deborah’s classmates graduated in 1972, she was
settled into married life with 3 small children. “I often thought about going back to get my GED. I even
took some Adult Education classes in the late 70’s, but just could not get up the courage to take the GED
test.”
Turn the calendar forward to 2012 and Deborah is a participant in the Mountain Empire Older Citizen’s
Title 5 Program. She worked at the Laurel’s for a while and then Debbie Sanders, MEOC Title 5
Coordinator, called and offered her a chance to come work at the Children’s Advocacy Center. Along
with the offer for a transfer, was a suggestion to join an Adult Education class.
“I took the opportunity to attend the Adult Education class to work on my computer skills while getting
ready for the GED Exam.” Gardner stated. “I was nervous, but once I sat down I was hooked. The
more I learned, the more I wanted to know.” Deborah never missed a class. She was there at the old
Appalachia High School every time her class met until she received her GED credential on May 4 th.
Her adult education teacher was Judy Samples, a veteran teacher in the Regional Adult Education
Program of Lee , Scott, Wise and Norton Public Schools. “Judy is what every teacher should want to be.”
Stated Gardner. “She has patience and courage. Not once did she seem frustrated by my questions, not
even when I asked the same ones over again.”
Deborah was so impressed with her classes and teacher that she recruited her son, Joe Freeman, to
go with her. Then, the competition was on! Deborah and Joe pushed each other to do better with a
friendly mother/son rivalry. “He beat me with his math score.” Gardner said. “I’m not sure what I am
going to do about that.” She said grinning. “Maybe I can get him to take a class with me at Mountain
Empire Community College so I can get even with him.”
Joe dropped out of school in the 11th grade. About his decision to leave high school 23 years ago,
Freeman said, “Dad was starting a roofing company and needed workers. I wanted to work more than
I wanted to go to school.” When the roofing company folded, Joe found himself out of work. He got
his mining papers, but found that not many inexperienced miners were being hired. When his mom
suggested he go to GED class, he went along. “The teacher individualized our studies. Everyone worked
on what they needed. She wasn’t pushy. She let us work at our own pace.”
Going back to the Appalachia adult education class to work on resumes, college applications and
financial aid forms is next on the Mother/Son team’s list of things to do. “I always dreamed of being
an operating room nurse.” Deborah said. “I may look into that or maybe electronic medical records. I
would at least like to take a class or two and try it out.”
When asked what message they would send out to others in the community that do not have their GED,
Joe simply said “Go for it. You can’t succeed until you try.” Deborah said that she wished she had done
this many years ago. “Had I known it would be this easy, that the teacher would be so patient, and that
I would have had such a good experience, I would have had this done when I was younger.”
The Regional Adult Education Program offers free Adult Education classes in or near every community
in the region. Night and day classes are available as well as distance and online classes for those who
cannot make it out to a class site regularly. Improving basic math and reading skills, preparing for the
GED exam, career exploration and resume writing are just some of the goals of our adult learners.
Anyone who would like more information about GED testing or Adult Education classes in our area
can call 1-877-RACE 2 GED (877.722.3433) or go to www.race2ged.org. The Regional Adult Education
Program is a free service of Lee, Scott, Wise, and Norton Public Schools.