The Community Education Newsletter
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Happy Spring!
"Spring is a lovely reminder of how beautiful change can be."
- Anonymous
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Congratulations to the annual PAACE Award Winners! These awards are based on work accomplished during 2021.
2021 Outstanding Leader of the Year:
Tim Shenk from IU13
PAACE Lifetime Achievement Award:
Linda Cullen from Lancaster
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The Community Education (CE) program in Lebanon is celebrating one of our most recent graduates, Joanna Martin of Myerstown.
Johanna enrolled in High School Equivalency (HSE) classes in January 2020 and passed her first HiSet test shortly thereafter. When the pandemic hit, Jo attended virtual classes for a few months, but eventually decided that she would rather wait for in-person classes to resume. A year later in Fall 2021, Jo returned to the HSE program and joined Deb Smith’s morning class. She studied hard and passed three more HiSet tests by the end of the year. She finally conquered her last and hardest test, math, on February 25th and became a graduate!
Among Lebanon CE staff and students, Jo is known for her enthusiastic attitude and contagious smile. She shares that her favorite part of the program were her friends and teacher, noting, "Watching other people go through it and complete [the program] as well--people who have challenges and have to go through so much just to get where they are.” Jo also notes that she has learned more than just facts and figures, “Math was not the most fun but I enjoyed the challenge. I realized it’s making me better and having a wider perspective on life. It’s challenging me to look at things in a different way; it challenged my thinking pattern to be different.”
Jo admits that her HSE journey wasn’t always easy. She says the hardest part was “showing up every day and trying to learn math [but] I had great teachers so that was a big help.” When asked what she did to stay motivated, she says, “I did some self-talk [telling myself], ‘you want to do this, you want to go ahead, you want to continue.’ I was enjoying it more the second time I came in… maybe that’s because the first time I felt like I was forced to but the second time I felt like I wanted to come. If I didn’t come, I was letting myself down.”
Jo’s advice to anyone who is thinking about getting their HSE is to “come with a determination and open mind to learn…even if you stop coming for a while, pick it back up and try again.” In the future, she hopes to continue her education by becoming a massage therapist or physical therapy assistant. All of the Lebanon Community Education staff are so proud of Joanna and can’t wait to see what she accomplishes in the future!
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IU13 Community Education is saying goodbye to Lebanon Supervisor Mary Edith, as she begins a new chapter of her life in Vermont. Over the past couple of years, she has guided the program through the complexities of COVID and taken the program to higher levels of overall success. Mary Edith has been an essential part of the Community Education leadership team, demonstrating passion, enthusiasm, teamwork, and high levels of competence in andragogy, curriculum, and professional development.
We will deeply miss Mary Edith, but at the same time, we’re happy that she found such a great opportunity for the next phase in her life. Please join us in thanking Mary Edith for her outstanding work with the Community Education program, and in wishing her well as she relocates to Vermont.
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Tim Talk
IU13 Community Education Program Director
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Recently, IU13 Community Education provided funds for a student so he take his high school equivalency (HSE) test. He passed, and soon thereafter got a job. With his first paycheck, he paid it forward by reimbursing the IU13 Community Education account for the cost of his test. His generosity really touched me. This student is living paycheck to paycheck, yet he decided to use his hard-earned money to benefit other students in need of financial support.
Your donation would help students to purchase bus passes so they can attend school, pay for the HSE test, or buy shoes for a new job. Please donate today!
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Watum Njangu was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In 2003, his parents moved to Uganda because of war. As a refugee, he faced many challenges, including a lack of education.
When he came to the United States in 2018, he joined an English as a Second Language class to improve his English. After a year of ESL instruction, Watum transitioned into high school equivalency classes and earned his GED in June 2021. During that time, he connected with staff at CareerLink for assistance finding employment and learning about training opportunities.
Today, Watum works at Lancaster General Health and hopes his story will encourage anyone who’s interested in learning English to reach out to IU13.
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School District of Lancaster Conference
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IU13 Cultural Navigator Loice Byler spoke to 2022 attendees at the School District of Lancaster about classroom and restorative practices that are culturally responsive. Her presentation was well-received, and those in attendance gave glowing reviews. When asked what the biggest take away was, participants answered:
· “The key components of a restorative justice approach are respect, accountability, healing, and empathy.”
· “Creating cultural opportunities to make students feel welcome and understood.”
· “How to be culturally responsive and thoughtful when it comes to how students act/perceive things. Not just having a snap reaction/judgment based on my own personal understanding.”
· “Understanding students who may be new to the country or district, as well as developing a culturally responsive classroom.”
· “Figuring out how to help students become more acclimated into the environment and utilizing inclusive practices.”
The conference was a wonderful learning opportunity for all those in attendance, and IU13 Community Education is proud to have discussed student immigrants and refugees and how best to meet their needs both in and out of school. Additionally, we want to extend a huge thank you to Loice, whose impact on staff will make a difference in the Lancaster community.
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IU13 Community Education provides a wide variety of daytime and evening educational and supportive services to adults in Lancaster and Lebanon Counties.
Click on the links below or call us at 717-606-1708 for more information.
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If you're interested in making a difference in Lancaster and Lebanon Counties, consider donating to IU13 Community Education.
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English as a Second Language
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GED | HiSET test prep classes
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Must be a United States Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) to enroll in classes
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ESL or HSE classes for parents of children between birth-3rd grade
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ESL classes with civics instruction and placement into job training programs
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Workforce Preparation Classes
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Administration Support Professional
Direct Care Provider
Teacher Assistant (Special Education)
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Services and Supports Include:
Paid Internships, Assistance in Seeking Employment, Training for Certification, Supportive Services, and more!
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**Youth must meet income and eligibility requirements.
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Bilingual cultural navigators connect children and adults with social, educational, and medical services in the community
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*IU13 Community Education classes and services provided directly by IU13 staff are free with limited exceptions. Additional services/tests provided by our partner providers may have costs. Please contact us with any questions.
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Contact Information:
For more information about Community Education visit our website
or call
Lancaster: 717-606-1708
Lebanon: 717-450-1525
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