National Adult Literacy Database

September 19, 2005

The following story was written by Charlene Mary Clow, from Miscouche, PEI. Charlene is the 2005 winner of the Cooperator's Learner Achievement Award presented at the PGI Golf Tournament for Literacy. She plans to return to school in the fall to complete her GED and we wish her luck with her educational and career plans.

Story

by Charlene Mary Clow

At the age of thirty-eight I decided to return to school. I left school at an early age and then got married, had four children and before I knew it twenty years had passed by.

I have had numerous jobs in the area of janitorial work. I am now a substitute custodian with the Western School Board but in order to apply for a full-time position I need my GED.

When I decided to go back to school to get my Grade 12 I was so scared and nervous. I thought I was so stupid because I could not read or do math very well. On the first day of school I had to take a deep breath and say to myself that I can do it. I am so glad that there is Adult Education for people like me.

When I get my Grade 12 I will be so proud of myself. So will my family and my boys and my husband will be proud too. I have been in school for several months and now I have done the pre-test for the GED. Next year I will be coming back to get my GED.

Thank you again for having a program like this.

[This story was taken with permission, from Live and Learn, Spring-Summer 2005, a newsletter by the PEI Literacy Alliance.]