Kellie: “VAL makes the impossible, possible.”
For Kellie, history has always been more than just a subject, it’s a passion. For years, she volunteered as a history teacher, crafting engaging lesson plans and bringing the past to life for students in grades 3-5. “Teaching was not something I had thought of or considered, but I finally got up there and did it, and I really enjoyed it,” Kellie shared. “The kids kept asking for more, and it eventually became our thing.” Despite her dedication, she found herself in a difficult position: she couldn’t afford to keep volunteering.
“I was spending four nights a week – overnight, with little to no sleep – working on lesson plans because I wanted to bring the best to my students,” Kellie recalls. “The kids loved it, but I needed a way to make teaching sustainable.”
Having already spent years volunteer teaching at a private program and later working as a paraeducator at a local elementary school, she knew that becoming a licensed teacher would allow her to dedicate more time to her students and expand learning opportunities for them while supporting the basic costs of living. Determined to turn her love for history into a full-time career, Kellie set her sights on earning her license. But first, she had to overcome one major hurdle: passing the Praxis Core math exam.
“After high school, I was too discouraged to go to college,” Kellie said, reflecting on her journey. “I had always struggled with math. In high school, I found myself regularly failing math courses. After graduating, I immediately started working whatever minimum wage job I could find and couldn’t afford the roof over my head despite working really hard.” Kellie eventually pursued her post-secondary education at a Vermont college, progressing slowly but diligently as she juggled work and school. Despite earning three credits towards a Master’s program, Kellie recognized she still needed support with math.
“When I started at Vermont Adult Learning, I discovered that math could actually be interesting, like solving a puzzle!”
With the support of VAL instructors, Kellie built the skills and confidence she needed to tackle the Praxis test. The result? She didn’t just pass – she scored 20 points over the required minimum.
“Kellie consistently worked hard and recognized the importance of understanding math, even though her true passion was history,” said Natalie Reigle, Regional Director of VAL’s Middlebury Learning Center and the Online Learning Center (OLC). “It wasn’t just about passing the Praxis exam; sometimes she would come in excited because she had successfully applied what she was learning at VAL to assist the students she supported in her work.”
“Kellie’s a great example of what people can accomplish when they have a goal, determination, and some support from VAL,” praised Wil Mackey, an OLC math teacher who worked closely with Kellie. “She deserves a lot of credit for her hard work and discipline and for taking advantage of what VAL can offer. And maybe the best part is that now she’s going to be a terrific teacher herself.”
“Coming to VAL changed everything,” she beamed. “It’s a space where anyone can feel comfortable learning, without pressure or judgment. VAL really takes into consideration the commitments adults have. Adults also get to feel in control of their learning at VAL. The flexibility and affordability made all the difference for me, especially while juggling work, school, bills, and family responsibilities.”
Now, Kellie is working as a substitute teacher while working toward her full teaching license through an alternative licensure program. She continues to build her portfolio, prepare for additional Praxis exams, and move closer to her dream of teaching history full-time.
“I enthusiastically recommend VAL to everyone. They made my goals attainable for me, and they can do the same for anyone,” Kellie shared. “It’s exciting to think that my dream can actually come true. Vermont Adult Learning makes the impossible, possible.”
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