Success Stories
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KRista"MWSE BELIEVED IN ME AND MOTIVATED ME TO DO BETTER.” At a mere 13 years old, Krista Saxby was forced to grow up quickly when her mother was diagnosed with kidney failure and they relocated to the area to be closer to family. Almost as quickly as Saxby enrolled as a freshman at Jonesville High School, she began serving as her mother’s primary caregiver and was forced to start working to help pay the expensive medical bills that social security did not cover. Saxby tried her best to continue her education, while working and caring for her mother for 7 years, but she had to drop out of school completely two separate times to provide 24/7 care.
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In 2017 Saxby’s mother passed away. Although grief stricken, she continued chip away at competing her high school diploma while juggling 3 part-time jobs and making less than an average of $11 per hour. Over the course of her time at Jonesville Pathways, Saxby developed a strong relationship with her teachers and mentors. When the Pathways staff reached out to Michigan Works! this year to explore other routes for earning a secondary credential, Saxby was skeptical. It had already taken her so long and she hadn’t earned a diploma; would she ever?
The Pathways staff set up an individual appointment for Saxby right at the school with MWSE Adult Education. Saxby learned about the high school equivalency program, took her placement test, and enrolled in the adult education program. Just a few short weeks later, after connecting with the resources at MWSE, taking GED practice tests and studying relentlessly, Saxby completed the GED tests, earning her High School Equivalency Diploma.
“MWSE believed in me and motivated me to do better.” said Saxby. At a time, when she felt exhausted and stagnant, the belief and willingness to help made the biggest impact. “I went so long without it; it made all the difference.”
After completing her diploma in March 2019, Saxby’s entire life changed. She has now secured a full-time, general manager position at a local business. Her earnings have more than tripled, up to roughly $35 per hour, and she is working a regular 40 hours per week. Saxby just purchased her first “new” car and is intending to start college classes this fall to pursue a degree in business management. There is no doubt that Saxby has the skills, work ethic, and perseverance to succeed in her career endeavors.
The Pathways staff set up an individual appointment for Saxby right at the school with MWSE Adult Education. Saxby learned about the high school equivalency program, took her placement test, and enrolled in the adult education program. Just a few short weeks later, after connecting with the resources at MWSE, taking GED practice tests and studying relentlessly, Saxby completed the GED tests, earning her High School Equivalency Diploma.
“MWSE believed in me and motivated me to do better.” said Saxby. At a time, when she felt exhausted and stagnant, the belief and willingness to help made the biggest impact. “I went so long without it; it made all the difference.”
After completing her diploma in March 2019, Saxby’s entire life changed. She has now secured a full-time, general manager position at a local business. Her earnings have more than tripled, up to roughly $35 per hour, and she is working a regular 40 hours per week. Saxby just purchased her first “new” car and is intending to start college classes this fall to pursue a degree in business management. There is no doubt that Saxby has the skills, work ethic, and perseverance to succeed in her career endeavors.
DanielThere will be obstacles. There will be doubters. Daniel Asbury originally came to MWSE Adult Education in 2016 with the goal of obtaining his GED credential. He had spent countless time and money taking GED tests independently without success. Upon enrolling with MWSE Adult Education, Asbury quickly become one of our most dedicated participants. He rarely missed our weekly classes and even spent many additional hours in the Lenawee Service Center working to improve his math skills for the GED test. It was not unusual to see Asbury working in our service center 40 hours a week.
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Asbury persevered through self-doubt and the skepticism of others. He realized that success is a process that looks different for everyone. In just one school year, Asbury increased his math scores by the equivalent of four grade levels and was able to pass the Mathematical Reasoning portion of the GED test. More importantly though, Asbury learned to recognize the learning strategies that work best for him and gained confidence in his abilities to reach his personal goals.
Our staff helped Asbury to realize his potential through a personal learning plan and individualized instruction. Asbury was also able to receive one-on-one attention because of his flexible schedule and willingness to work in the service center outside of regularly scheduled class hours. The Career Advisors at Michigan Works! also helped Asbury with supportive services and fostering positive morale. There are many members of Michigan Works! Southeast advocating for Asbury.
After many hours studying for his GED, Asbury achieved his credential in February of 2017. Since then, he has been happily employed working at a local call center. With the work ethic that Asbury demonstrated during his time in our program, we are sure that he will achieve whatever her puts his mind to.
Our staff helped Asbury to realize his potential through a personal learning plan and individualized instruction. Asbury was also able to receive one-on-one attention because of his flexible schedule and willingness to work in the service center outside of regularly scheduled class hours. The Career Advisors at Michigan Works! also helped Asbury with supportive services and fostering positive morale. There are many members of Michigan Works! Southeast advocating for Asbury.
After many hours studying for his GED, Asbury achieved his credential in February of 2017. Since then, he has been happily employed working at a local call center. With the work ethic that Asbury demonstrated during his time in our program, we are sure that he will achieve whatever her puts his mind to.
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Haley“MWSE Adult Education helped me to reach My goals by laying out all the steps and pointing me in the right direction when I felt clueless about where to begin.” As a young single mother, Haley Brockwell had been forced to put her own education on the back burner to care for her child. When Brockwell came to MWSE Adult Education in November 2017, she was 8 months pregnant and determined to complete her GED credential before the birth of her second daughter. Although her time with our program was short, Brockwell credits Michigan Works! for her success and says that she is very grateful to have had the chance to work with us.
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Brockwell attended our adult education classes to prepare her for the GED. She was able to participate in the GED to School Program through the State of Michigan Workforce Development Agency, and received vouchers to help her with the cost of the GED tests. By mid-December, Brockwell had completed her testing and earned her GED credential.
Brockwell had never heard of us before seeking out her GED, but she now believes that Michigan Works! is amazing. She says, “MWSE Adult Education helped me to reach my goals by laying out all the steps and pointing me in the right direction when I felt clueless about where to begin.” In addition, Brockwell says that every staff member with whom she worked, was motivating and willing to follow up with her to keep her accountable. Brockwell is planning to begin college classes in the fall to work towards a career in the medical field and is extremely proud to be giving her two young daughters the role model they deserve.
Brockwell had never heard of us before seeking out her GED, but she now believes that Michigan Works! is amazing. She says, “MWSE Adult Education helped me to reach my goals by laying out all the steps and pointing me in the right direction when I felt clueless about where to begin.” In addition, Brockwell says that every staff member with whom she worked, was motivating and willing to follow up with her to keep her accountable. Brockwell is planning to begin college classes in the fall to work towards a career in the medical field and is extremely proud to be giving her two young daughters the role model they deserve.
KiaThe key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities. Kia Roberts came to MWSE Adult Education with the goal of pursuing her GED credential as part of her path towards a career in medical billing or business administration. Roberts began working with us in December of 2015. As a single mother, Roberts found it challenging to balance a schedule that allowed her do take care of her seven-year-old daughter, complete job applications, and seek employment all the while focusing on own educational goals. |
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However, where there is a will, there is a way. Roberts continued to attend classes, participated in the GED to School Program through the State of Michigan Workforce Development Agency, and was ultimately able to earn her High School Equivalency Diploma. Roberts says she was successful in our program because of the convenient schedule, flexible hours, and helpful teachers at MWSE Adult Education. She also feels that the online courseware she used for her classes was easy to understand and equipped her with the study tools that she needed to prosper. Since earning her GED, Roberts has enrolled at Career Quest and is now employed in the medical field.
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James" if you're struggling with school, jobs, or careers, Michigan Works! will stand behind you " Saiban was referred to the adult education program offered through MWSE in September 2016 with the primary goal of earning his GED. When he enrolled he was just shy of 18 and lacked many high school credits, so he knew GED was his path. Saiban was having difficulty finding employment due to his age, and lack of credential. Currently, Saiban has passed 3 subject area tests, and has his final GED test scheduled soon. Utilizing the GED-to-School program, Saiban was able to work with MWSE staff to have his GED fees waived under the voucher program. Throughout his diligent efforts in the classroom he developed a passion for computer programming and aspires to obtain a post-secondary certificate to realize this goal. Saiban says that he lives by the motto and philosophy that life with its many challenges is only as hard as one perceives it. He kindly stated, "I'd just like to say if you're struggling with school, jobs, or careers, Michigan Works! will stand behind you to aid you on any venture you have planned." With his GED soon in hand, Saiban is eager to begin courses at Jackson College to obtain a certificate in computer programming. |
