If you have ever thought about finishing high school, upgrading your courses, or taking that next step toward post-secondary education, now is the time. Registration at the Morden Adult Education Centre is officially open, and Educator Helena Lantigua is encouraging anyone who is looking to take that next step in education, to join a class.
“My goal, as well as everyone else at the Adult Ed Center, is just to help people further themselves and better themselves with education, because that opens more doors.” - Helena Lantigua, Educator at Morden Adult Education Centre.
Education that opens doors
“This is for anyone who has not yet graduated and would like to achieve their mature diploma,” explained Lantigua. “Also students who would like to upgrade to get into post-secondary. So we've got a variety, a mix of people. So basically options for anyone that's looking for next steps with their education.”
Her passion is clear. “My goal, as well as everyone else at the Adult Ed Center, is just to help people further themselves and better themselves with education, because that opens more doors. We just want to help people open doors through education.”
Mature diploma vs GED
Lantigua says many people wonder about the difference between a GED and the mature diploma. “At Adult Ed, we offer the mature diploma, which acts the same as a regular high school diploma, which means after you graduate with us, you are then ready to actually apply into post-secondary.”
She added, “with the GED, it's different. It doesn't have the same value. It's still a high school diploma, obviously. However, most universities or post-secondary institutions have prerequisites of certain courses you need or a certain amount of credits.”
Another advantage is how attainable it is for students starting from scratch. “For those students who have 0 high school credits, our diploma only requires 8, which means you can achieve this in one year if you work really, really hard or easily in two years.”
Support for students and families
Students are often surprised to learn how close they already are to graduating. “Some are very surprised when they learn they only need one or two extra credits,” said Lantigua.
For those juggling family life, on-site childcare makes a big difference. “We also offer an on-site daycare for registered students,” she explained. “Because it's often either we've had more dads in recent years as well. And obviously moms who have children and would love to go to school, but have that issue with childcare. So we do offer that.”
She continues, “We often hear great stories from the moms that they love it that their kids are receiving basically like a preschool experience as well.”
Flexible learning options
Students can choose between classroom learning or independent study. “We offer both in-class and independent learning,” said Lantigua. “So if you're someone who might struggle with homework or you have a busy life, if you make the time to come in class, we set up our programming in such a way that that's basically all required.”
Independent studies are available year-round.
Courses that inspire
Lantigua teaches a wide variety of courses. “I teach English, family studies, intro law, psychology, global issues,” she said. Global issues, in particular, sparks strong reactions. “It's phenomenal how many things that the general public isn't even aware of about what's going on in the world, even our water crisis, and how we actually live in the richest country in the world in terms of fresh water.”
She encourages students to explore this idea further. “Blue gold is a new term. So anyone who loves to look up things and wants to be in the know, just start Googling blue gold and the world water crisis, and you will become a very proud Canadian.”
Lantigua encourages anyone considering it to simply stop by. “Anyone who's just itching to and thinking about it, just come in. There's no risk. No one's ever obligated to. And often it's just that first step to come through the door.”