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 Wheable offers adults a second chance
for education
For people aged 21 to 101 without a high school diploma there is an adult education program geared just for you.
Ron Olson and Donna Ellis gave me a tour of G.A. Wheable Secondary School. Wheable runs six terms of 36 days each. Adult learners do well with short term goals.
You can opt to take a maximum of two courses a day, with each class running for two hours 50 minutes from 9:05 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.
You can enrol in academic or applied level courses. The school offers a very large co-op business program, 10 computer labs along with a core curriculum of English, math and sciences
Because of time constraints attendance is critical - provincial funding is denied when one misses three consecutive days.
Lifetime experiences have value. Adult students have always been able to apply for maturity credits to a maximum of 12 for graduation purposes. Maturity credits have traditionally been granted after four senior courses were completed. I trust the new requirements for Ontario secondary schools will reflect the reality of adults trying to complete their education and get back into the work force.
Traditionally, students speak with their feet when they are unhappy with their education. At Wheable the numbers speak for themselves; the retention rate is 75 per cent!
Ron described his teaching staff of 80 as "fabulous". His colleagues are a combination of retirees with decades of experience, young recent enthusiastic grads from colleges of education and a group of dedicated educators who wish only to teach adults.
You don't go into adult education for the money; the teachers are paid $32 per hour with none of the traditional fringe benefits. The Thames Valley board's continuing education program is obliged to work on a cost recovery basis.
"Teaching adults has challenges," Ron says. "On the plus side you don't have adolescent problems but often times the adult learner presents interesting challenges. Often times there is a fear of formal education along with negative self esteem that needs to be replaced with lots of positive reinforcement. "
"Adults bring to class a motivation that is unique; they often have had incredible life experiences. Empathy, a sense of humour and a common purpose for all the staff are necessary components of an adult education."
Eight hundred academic day students along with 500 English as a second language students from 50 different countries find a rewarding, nurturing atmosphere in which to flourish. Two graduations a year are multi-generational affairs.
Many of the graduates go on to Fanshawe and Western. A high school diploma opens doors. Business and industry values employees who return to upgrade their qualifications
Adults who walk through the doors of G.A. Wheable can find success. I hope to see you at the graduation celebration on June 6, 7:30 p.m.
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