LABELLE — A local woman who has always been focused on being there for her family, encouraging and supporting them in every way to be their best, recently pushed herself to reach a personal goal that has been on her mind for a number of years. While being a dedicated wife and mother, she has also made countless contributions to the community. LaBelle resident Jeannie Collins has volunteered with LaBelle Fossil Camp and recently stepped up as the new coach for the LaBelle Anglers Club, and while juggling all of these important tasks, and doing so brilliantly, she also tasked herself with the hard work of going back to earn her high school diploma.

“I may not have done it the ‘right’ way, the ‘expected’ way, or the easy way...” she said. “It took years to do what most do by 18... I made a choice to be a wife and a mother above everything, including my education.”

She went on, “I don’t regret my choice, but it was time for me to pick up where I left off many years ago... Finally... at the young age of 40, I completed all education requirements earning my high school diploma with a GPA of 3.5!”

Feeling a bit shy about the situation, she was somewhat reluctant to have someone write about her recent accomplishment. But, after discussing the hard work she put in, how awesome this milestone is, and what it might mean for others to read about and be inspired, she replied, “I would love to influence others, because honestly I didn’t think I could do it.”

According to the Florida Department of Education, “Florida’s adult education system includes a range of instructional programs that help adults get the basic skills they need to be productive workers, family members and citizens. The major program areas are Adult Basic Education Adult High School and GED Preparation, and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). These programs emphasize basic skills such as reading, writing, math and English language competency. Adult education programs also help adult learners gain the knowledge and skills they need to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.”

Adult learners enrolled in Adult High School can earn a high school diploma or its equivalent by successfully passing the Standard GED tests. Adult education programs are available to individuals who:

• Are 16 years or older.
• Are not enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school.
• Do not have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
• Want to learn to speak, read, and write the English language.

For more information, contact the Adult Education Program office:
Carol Bailey

Senior Educational Program Director
325 West Gaines Street, Suite 754
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400
Phone: 850-245-0450
Email: FloridaAdultEducation@fldoe.org.