Starla Steward, an El Dorado County Office of Education (EDCOE) Adult Education graduate, is continuing her journey with EDCOE through the Northern California Construction Training (NCCT) program. 

 

The NCCT is a building trade’s pre-apprenticeship training program that helps prepare men and women for entry into various construction trades apprenticeship training programs. The El Dorado County NCCT program, which opened this Summer, provides test preparation such as math basics and how to read blueprints as well as hands-on building experience.

 

Starla, recognizing the opportunity that Adult Education and the NCCT program were providing, challenged herself to be part of the program as she is currently is the only woman in her class. 

 

“I have three kids, 12-. 13-. and 15-years old.” Steward said, “It’s really important not only that I have a way to provide for them but that they see what learning and hard work can do for you.

 

Steward’s days start when she arrives on the NCCT campus, located at 6187 Pleasant Valley Road, in the town of El Dorado, in full uniform, including boots, tool belt, and tools. Steward and her cohorts then spend some time in class preparing for a competency exam. Sometimes the class is held outside to also prepare students for the outdoor elements they will experience on the job.  Next, Steward and her classmates spend time on a variety of hands-on building projects for the community. They are currently working on planter boxes for the on-site community garden.  

 

Acknowledging the positive impact the NCCT program has had on the community, Raley’s grocery stores and the Sacramento King’s have agreed to donate funds for the beautification of the NCCT program campus.

 

While the NCCT program itself is an unpaid experience,  Starla and other students upon completion have the opportunity to join the construction trades apprenticeship training program of his/her choosing, with wages that start anywhere from $14.00 to $23.00 per hour. 

Starla Stewart, an inmate of Placerville Jail, recently celebrated a significant step in her rehabilitation by earning her high school diploma. Stewart credits her accomplishment to her family who motivated her and to her teacher, Ms. Urbani, who offered her encouragement and support.

 

“I have been working very hard to change my life and wanted to set a positive example for my boys, ages 14 and 11 years old.” Stewart is one of the many inmates to take advantage of the Adult Education Program at the Placerville Jail, which is operated by the El Dorado County Office of Education (EDCOE). I know that earning my high school diploma will assist me in supporting myself, as well as my two growing boys,” stated Stewart after her recognition ceremony. Approximately 20% of the inmate population receive individualized instruction to earn a high school diploma, a GED certificate, or enroll in online Short-term Career Technical Education Certification and college-level classes.

 

In addition to serving the population of Placerville Jail, EDCOE provides many Adult Education programs throughout the county. Once enrolled in Charter’s Adult Education programs, students are able to pursue an education tailored to meet their unique needs, including a high school diploma, GED, and ESL classes.

 

More information about Charter’s Adult Education programs can be found at http://aded.edcoe.org, or (530) 295-2291.

 

Charter Adult Education student graduates with her high school diploma.

Calvin Combs, an inmate at the El Dorado County Correctional Facility, was joined by jail staff as well as EDCOE administrators to celebrate a significant step in his rehabilitation - earning his high school diploma. Combs is one of the 45 students currently enrolled in the EDCOE Adult Education program at the Placerville jail. Combs credits this accomplishment to those who have offered him support while participating in the inmate school program. “My teacher and the jail staff continued to check in with me on a weekly basis and encouraged me to improve my circumstances.”

 

 Of those participating, approximately 20% receive individualized instruction to earn a GED, a high school diploma, individualized job training, as well as the opportunity to explore college-level classes. In addition to serving the population of Placerville Jail, EDCOE provides many Adult Education programs throughout the county. EDCOE has collaborated with the Community Corrections Partnership to provide educational services to both the Placerville and South Lake Tahoe Jails, as well as the Community Corrections Center located in Shingle Springs - operated by the El Dorado Probation Department.

 

Once enrolled in Charter’s Adult Education program, students are able to pursue an education tailored to meet their unique needs, whether it’s a high school diploma, a GED, ESL classes, or many online Short-term Career Technical Education Certifications.

 

More information about Charter’s Adult Education programs can be found at http://aded.edcoe.org, or (530) 295-2291.

 

Celebrating his high school diploma is Calvin Combs (center), Gary Sutherland, Principal (left), and Cheryl Urbani, Teacher (right), Charter Adult Education.

While working on her associate's degree through Lake Tahoe Community College, Lelita Guthrie was told she couldn’t receive her AA without her high school diploma due to a missing Algebra requirement. “I shoved the thought of a high school diploma in the back once again until my son talked me into meeting with his teacher, Susan Baker. As it turns out, South Lake Tahoe has an adult education program, Mt. Tallac Adult School, and I only needed two more classes to obtain my high school diploma,” Guthrie explained.

 

 “What makes the El Dorado County Office of Education Adult Education programs so beneficial to the community,” said program administrator Gary Sutherland, “is the opportunity to provide our region’s adult learners with a wide range of rich learning experiences tailored to meet their unique needs. Ms. Guthrie’s situation is the perfect example of how our programs prepare and empower our students to achieve their educational, career, and personal goals.”

 

 Guthrie overcame a series of personal hurdles to get to her graduation date, including dropping out as a junior in high school, getting married, starting a family, leaving an unhealthy relationship, raising her children, moving across the country, losing both her brothers and her mother, and running a successful cleaning business. With the help of the Adult Education program, Lelita Guthrie, age 64, fulfilled her 47-year-old promise to her parents to receive her high school diploma.

 

 “To make this milestone even more special,” stated Guthrie, “my son only needed one class for his high school diploma, so we turned in our homework at the same time, and now we will be walking the stage to receive our high school diplomas together.” To sweeten the event even more, Lelita’s granddaughter is a graduating senior at South Tahoe High School, so Guthrie, her son, and her granddaughter will all graduate in South Lake Tahoe during the 2018-19 school year!

 

 Guthrie’s advice to those who are seeking help with their education or career goals is simple. “One can go back to school even if they have fears and seasons behind them. The first step is walking back into the school - the rest will come.”

 

 The EDCOE Adult Education program provides opportunities for adults throughout El Dorado County, from El Dorado Hills to Lake Tahoe, to continue their education or enhance their career, in structured, yet flexible learning environments - and all of the courses are free.  

 

For more information about the programs - which includes high school diploma, GED, and hundreds of industry-approved certification courses - please visit aded.edcoe.org or call (530) 295-2291.

Starla Steward, an El Dorado County Office of Education (EDCOE) Adult Education graduate, is continuing her journey with EDCOE through the Northern California Construction Training (NCCT) program. 

 

The NCCT is a building trade’s pre-apprenticeship training program that helps prepare men and women for entry into various construction trades apprenticeship training programs. The El Dorado County NCCT program, which opened this Summer, provides test preparation such as math basics and how to read blueprints as well as hands-on building experience.

 

Starla, recognizing the opportunity that Adult Education and the NCCT program were providing, challenged herself to be part of the program as she is currently is the only woman in her class. 

 

“I have three kids, 12-. 13-. and 15-years old.” Steward said, “It’s really important not only that I have a way to provide for them but that they see what learning and hard work can do for you.

 

Steward’s days start when she arrives on the NCCT campus, located at 6187 Pleasant Valley Road, in the town of El Dorado, in full uniform, including boots, tool belt, and tools. Steward and her cohorts then spend some time in class preparing for a competency exam. Sometimes the class is held outside to also prepare students for the outdoor elements they will experience on the job.  Next, Steward and her classmates spend time on a variety of hands-on building projects for the community. They are currently working on planter boxes for the on-site community garden.  

 

Acknowledging the positive impact the NCCT program has had on the community, Raley’s grocery stores and the Sacramento King’s have agreed to donate funds for the beautification of the NCCT program campus.

 

While the NCCT program itself is an unpaid experience,  Starla and other students upon completion have the opportunity to join the construction trades apprenticeship training program of his/her choosing, with wages that start anywhere from $14.00 to $23.00 per hour. 

Congratulations to Tracy Fanara, whose graduation speech was featured in the Capital Adult Education Regional Consortium Newsletter in August. We at Adult Ed are incredibly proud of your achievements and determination. 

Adult Education serves adults all over El Dorado County from their offices in Placerville and Lake Tahoe in addition to assisting learners in the county jails and through the Northern California Construction Training (NCCT) program. We have a new GED prep program that is absolutely free.

 

In addition to Adult Education sites in Placerville and South Lake Tahoe, EDCOE has also reopened the NCCT program in the town El Dorado. The NCCT helps prepare men and women for entry into various construction trades through apprenticeship training programs. The NCCT program, which opened two years ago, provides test preparation such as math basics and how to read blueprints as well as hands-on building experience under the supervision of a journeyman carpenter.

 

While the NCCT program itself is an unpaid experience, students are enrolled in the program anywhere from two weeks to six months, depending on experience. Upon completion, students have the opportunity to join the construction trades apprenticeship training program of his/her choosing, with wages that start at over $20 per hour, depending on the trade and benefits.

 

“his is a program that has no prerequisites and students walk out with a living wage, including benefits and a retirement plan to support their family.

 

EDCOE’s Adult Education programs prepare and empower students to achieve their educational, career, and personal goals.