What does an adult education class look like?

Southwest Regional Adult Education (SRAE) serves adult learners age 18 or older by offering tuition-free classes in the counties of Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell, and Tazewell. Subjects taught in SRAE classes include mathematics, language arts (reading comprehension, language, and writing), science, and social studies in preparation for the GED® tests; basic computer skills; basic skills reinforcement in reading and math; National Career Readiness Certificate curriculum; and Paraprofessional (ParaPro) Certification curriculum.

What does an adult education class look like? Let’s find out from Dr. Jesse Neece, the instructor of our class at the Virginia Career Works Haysi Center which meets on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

What technologies or resources do students have the opportunity to use in your classroom? Dr. Neece: All materials needed to be successful in all adult education program offerings are available to students to use while enrolled in our adult instructional programs. Students use Chromebooks in class to access online learning test preparation modules (i.e. such as GED® Academy, TABE Academy, etc.). Adult learners also have access to test preparation textbooks/workbooks in all core testing subjects. Free GED® Ready testing vouchers are available to adult students seeking their GED® credential to assess their mastery of subject content and gauge their readiness for GED®subject tests.

How do you keep adult students engaged in learning? Dr. Neece: Adult learners are continually encouraged to set short- and long-term educational goals and are provided individualized one-on-one instruction so they can be successful to achieve their goals. Students are allowed to work at their own pace and challenged daily to ensure students successfully achieve their short- and long-term goals that they have set while in our program. Students are encouraged to master content by utilizing their own learning modalities.

What are some of your most prevalent teaching strategies used in the adult education classroom? Dr. Neece: Adult students are provided direct instructional support as they achieve their educational and career preparation goals. All students’ learning modalities are utilized in the classroom to meet the direct needs of individual students.

What are the benefits to an adult learner of attending your class? Dr. Neece: Students will benefit greatly by coming on designated class meeting times so they can fully participate in a class setting and gain use of all available adult education learning resources provided by the program. Students are encouraged to come and collaborate with other adult students who share similar life experiences and educational goals.

Whatever your learning and life goals are, I invite you to come to our adult education class at the Haysi Career Works Center (in Haysi across from BB&T Bank) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. and take advantage of our learning programs and resources. With hard work and persistent dedication, you can make your learning goals and career dreams become a reality. Please call toll free at 866-581-9935, or email Dr. Jesse Neece at jeneece@dcps.k12.va.us for more information. I hope to see you soon.

GED® is a registered trademark of the American Council on Education. Used under license.