Metro North Adult Basic Education (ABE) presented over 28 adult learners with their GED or a diploma on Wednesday, May 30 at Anoka High School.
Anoka-Hennepin Community Education partners with eight other community education programs in the north metro to offer free adult basic education (ABE) classes for adults ages 17 and up who are not enrolled in a secondary school program develop basic skills. Together, the community education programs are called "Metro North ABE."
Anoka-Hennepin Community Education Assistant Manager overseeing adult programs, Pat Adams, said, “You have demonstrated true determination and persistence, your family and friends – and the whole local community – is proud of you and supports the work that you have done to be successful.”
Adults can take classes taught by licensed teachers and are supported by trained volunteers who work with students to meet their educational goals. A student may start class at any time throughout the year and classes are offered year-round during the day and evening.
Classes offered can help students improve basic reading, writing and math skills; earn a high school diploma or GED or learn and improve English language skills. Teachers are trained to work with adults and all materials are designed to help the adult learner. Students will have opportunities to work in groups and independently. Learning is done in the classroom, on the computer and online.
“Tonight represents a culmination of hours worked, and a fierce focus on your futures,” Patrick Hobot, a Metro North ABE supervisor at the Anoka Technical College location, said. “This is the path less taken, but it means so much more for the adult learners here tonight.”
One of the graduates, Houda Anne Johns, thanked the staff at Metro North ABE and her fellow graduates for keeping her on track. “A lot of people thought that I would never graduate and I wanted to prove them wrong,” she said. “As a single mom of two kids, receiving my GED is one of my biggest goals and now – an accomplishment.”
“I wouldn’t have gotten here without my village,” Johns continued. “I thank my dearest friends and family; but one person stepped up to the plate when I needed him the most – my dad. He watched my kids every night so I could go to school, and I want to thank him for being extraordinary and never giving up on me.”
Metro North ABE works with area workforce centers, employers and colleges to ensure that the training provided for adult learners provides them with not just the customized education and training they need to pursue additional education opportunities, and also aligns learners with good jobs in our local economy - providing a livable wage for new graduates, now.
To learn more about the free classes and opportunities available for adults through Metro North ABE, visit www.metronorthabe.org or call 763-433-4200.
