I recently graduated from John McGinnis through the adult education program. Though I am grateful for the opportunity to receive the schooling necessary to get my adult Dogwood, (and for free), I am still hurt and bitter from some of my time spent there. Though some teachers were kind and helpful, others were not. I was given a math book to teach myself with, and when I had trouble understanding some chapters, a teacher told me in not so many words that I was obviously too stupid to do math, and further concluded that she could not help me. Though devastated, I instead went to CNC for math, and I excelled with little help from an excellent teacher and a different math book more suited for self-teaching. It was the teacher, not the student in this case.
My point is that no matter how old or young or what intelligence level, no one should ever be discouraged or called stupid by someone who is supposed to inspire and encourage them. Most people going to adult education have had many obstacles in their life, and to go back to school is humbling and sometimes embarrassing. Though I was fortunate enough to have support from my family and friends to continue, what about the people who didn't? To add insult to injury, though there was supposed to be a grad ceremony for those adults receiving their diplomas, it was cancelled, and I for one was not told until I went to the school in person to ask why I had not received an invitation.
I have been urged by several teachers to report this particular teacher to the board of education, as I know other adult students who refused to have this particular teacher mark their work, as she is unfair and harsh. My hope is that a hard look is taken at the teaching staff at this institution and that some textbooks are changed to ones more suited for self-teaching.
Hannah Wilkins
Prince George
