National Adult Literacy Database

May 8, 2006

This week, we have a story from a learner in Prince Edward Island. Yvonne Lewis is from St. Peter's Bay, PEI. Yvonne is married and she and her husband Jeremy manage a tourist Lodge. She is enrolled in basic education classes and is working on her GED. After that, she wants to take a course in Hotel and Travel Management.

Great Choice

by Yvonne Lewis

My name is Yvonne Lewis. I am from St Peter's Bay. My husband's name is Jeremy. We own Greenwich Gate Lodge in St Peter's Bay and it keeps us very busy.

We opened our motel in July 2000, but after we were open for a couple of years I found that I needed something to do in the winter. I had very few skills because I left school in Grade 9, and I never wanted to return. However; at the motel I needed to do a lot of different skills. My math skills were bad; my computer skills were limited as well. One day I thought "I need my Grade 12 so I can upgrade my skills." But to go back to school, how could I do this? I hate to have to sit in a class room all day.

A good friend of mine said to me, “you should go to Adult Education in Morell.” The next day I called and spoke to them. I was very unsure whether this was right for me. I went down and I registered to start school.

The first day was a scary day. In I go and sit at a table. Everyone was talking about what happened yesterday whether it was about the good mark they got on a test or bad one, or how their children got along in school. In the first half hour I felt right at home, made a cup of tea and had a sweet. We love our little treats every day.

The teachers at the school are wonderful. They will sit with you all day till you know what you are doing. The first time I wrote a test and got my mark back every one was happy, not just me. I did well. In February of 2004 I went and wrote my G E Ds. I got my Social Studies, English Reading, and English Writing. What a good feeling to have that. I went back to school and studied for math and science, went later and wrote again. I got my Science, now I am working on my math. It is taking me some time but I want it all, I will have it all too.

The choice I made to go back to school was the best choice. When I get my GEDS I will go to Holland College and take a course in Hotel and Travel Management that will help with my motel business. I will be able to do the things that are needed of me to help keep our business going.