Technology coaching--a role Community Education put into place after switching to online learning--is one of Marilyn Lydic's most rewarding and challenging positions of her 21-year career. Primarily an English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor, Marilyn was tapped to assist students as they acclimated to a new way of learning.

Classes are suspended, but students in high school equivalency classes are still learning. Teachers have contacted all students and assigned them to courses in Khan Academy (https://www.khanacademy.org) and continue to offer face-to-face learning as well through Zoom. Additionally, teachers use What’s App to stay in touch.

High School Equivalency (HSE) students may have been out of school for 2 months, 2 years or 20 years+ before returning to the classroom. Some are confident in their ability to earn their diploma; others start class feeling strong and then after a few weeks, feel discouraged.

In addition to supervisors, instructors, and program assistants, each IU13 Community Education site has a Student Advisor. Students first meet their advisor at orientation so they receive support at the very beginning. Initial and ongoing goal setting, barrier support services, transition support services, and student support services are all part of the advisor’s day-to-day responsibilities. Upcoming blog articles will feature the advisor at each site.

Since the suspension of classes beginning the week of March 16th, HSE (high school equivalency) teachers and students alike have been embracing new technology in order to learn as a community online. 

Students often enter High School Equivalency (HSE) classes with a career goal in mind. Others are not sure. Student advisors and teachers spend time talking about career exploration and the many options available in Lancaster for post-secondary training, apprenticeships, and the resources offered by PA CareerLink, where daytime classes are held. Students have also expressed interest in joining the military and advisors are able to bring a recruiter to meet with those learners.

Sophealin Hul arrived in the United States from Cambodia and joined high school equivalency classes at CareerLink a few weeks later. In these past six months, she has passed three subject tests and plans to take her final test--math--by the end of February.