Aspire teacher, Mary Ann Zambrano, left, is teaching GED classes in Oak Harbor to Summer Hanson, center, and Jocelyn Thomas, right. The classes are helping open new career opportunities for Hanson and Thomas. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

OAK HARBOR – When Mary Ann Zambrano’s father was 60 years old, he wanted to pursue a longtime dream to become a drug and alcohol counselor, but he faced a big challenge. He didn’t have a high school degree. Thankfully, he viewed his age as nothing more than a surmountable obstacle, and he earned a GED.

Today, Zambrano, a retired high school teacher, is helping people like her father fulfill their own dreams by teaching no-cost GED and professional development classes to adults in Oak Harbor as part of the Aspire program, which is offered through Vanguard-Sentinel Career & Technology Centers.

“My father’s sobriety meant everything to him, so he got his GED when he was 60 and worked as a counselor for about a decade,” Zambrano said. “It made his dreams come true.”

Zambrano teaches Aspire classes at the Ottawa County Resource Center in Oak Harbor. Two women, Summer Hanson and Jocelyn Thomas, are currently enrolled in GED classes.

Like Zambrano’s father, Hanson, at 30, thought she was too old to go back to school. And, like Zambrano’s father, she pushed past that fear and is now pursuing her dream of becoming a therapist. Once she earns her GED, she plans to enroll in college.

“I worried about being 30, but I let go of that,” Hanson said. “I want to show my children that nothing is impossible. When all odds are against you, you can still prevail.”

Both Hanson and Thomas are employed in the culinary field and are working toward a GED so they can change careers.

“It opens more opportunities,” Hanson said. “We’re both looking for something more. I want a job I look forward to every day.”

Thomas isn’t sure where her career will take her once she has a GED, but she doesn’t need to know. The Aspire program offers career exploration assistance and teaches job-seeking skills.

Regardless of where the future takes her, Thomas knows her life will be better with a GED.

“It’s a good thing to have. You need it in life,” Thomas said. “It’s an accomplishment.”

Aspire Coordinator Emily Woodland hopes more people will take advantage of Aspire’s free GED and career development classes in Oak Harbor. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

The Aspire program offers more than GED preparation classes. Students who already have a high school diploma or GED can take Aspire classes to advance their careers. The public can take free classes to receive help with college placement test preparation, career and workforce readiness, English as a second language, citizenship preparation, and more.

“It’s not just for GED,” said Aspire Coordinator Emily Woodland. “It’s for adults who need to improve their skills. It’s preparation for GED, college, career, or certifications.”

New Aspire students take Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) diagnostic tests to identify weaknesses and strengths, and the Aspire staff utilize that information to tailor classes to the students’ needs and professional goals.

“We teach reading, writing, math, science, social studies, digital learning, financial learning, and career lessons,” Woodland said. “Our teachers adapt to what the students’ needs are. We believe in contextualized instruction.”

There is no cost for the Aspire classes, which eliminates a major barrier to education.

“This program is amazing. You could not get anything better,” Thomas said. “I don’t have to stress about how to pay for it. “

Hanson and Thomas pushed past the fears of returning to school and are now enjoying the process of improving their lives through education.

“Mary Ann makes this class. She is so much fun. She makes us want to come,” Hanson said. “She makes us excited to learn. We have homework, and we look forward to it. That’s not something I thought I’d ever say.”

The Ottawa County Aspire classes are held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Online classes are also available.

“Our goal at Aspire is to upskill and help people be successful in the workforce,” Woodland said. “It’s helping them change their lives, and it’s opening those doors. It fuels the forward momentum in their lives.”

The next Aspire Orientation for new students will be held on Monday, April 6, and Wednesday, April 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information on free Aspire classes or to register for orientation, call 419-334-6901.