National Adult Literacy Database

October 4, 2004

This story was written by Joachim Drew, from Charlottetown, PEI. Joachim is originally from Conne River, Newfoundland and Labrador. Joachim "Jack" Drew was recently enrolled in the ABE program at Holland College in Charlottetown. Joachim's instructor, Sandy MacEachern, stated "through determination and hard work, Jack was able to elevate his educational status to that of a GED Prep learner in 6-8 months... Of the many wonderful qualities Jack possesses, I believe his perseverence is the most admirable." Joachim Drew was the 2004 recipient of the Co-operators Learner Achievement Award presented at the Golf Tournament for Literacy in Cavendish on June 11.

Story

by Joachim Drew

My name is Joachim Drew and I am 30 years old. I'm from the Mi'Kmaq community of Conne River otherwise known as Miawpukek First Nation. I have been engaged to my partner for eight years. I have a stepson Tyler who is 11 and my son Jackson who is five.

I did Kindergarten to Grade 8 at St. Anne's School in Conne River, Newfoundland. After I quit in grade 8 I went back to night school and did grades 8-11 and received 26 credits. Then I did various diving courses in 1996.

In Conne River I worked at different things but found my happiness diving. I did many diving courses starting with Open Water Scuba Diver and now have Advance Diving, Night Diving, Rescue Diving, Ice Diving and also have my Teacher Assistant Certification. I need to teach one course to have my Instructor's Certificate and I plan on doing this when I finish up here in PEI.

Along with these courses I have a Oxygen provider certificate, Fish Vaccination course and St. John's Ambulance course which actually needs to be updated soon. I came to PEI in 2002 expecting to start underwater welding but found that I needed my grade 12 or equivalent and so I've been working on that. I have also taken a Reading Research Project course at Holland College.

My goal is to get my GED and Underwater Welding Certificate. I will do this for a few years but my long term goal is to become a RCMP diver. Whatever I do in the future will in some way have to do with diving because I'm happiest when I'm in the water.

[This story was taken with permission, from the PEI Literacy Alliance website, under Learner's stories.]