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That is one in a collection of tales celebrating Group School Month throughout April.
HANCEVILLE, Ala. – When Amber Robinson, a hit advisor in Wallace State Group School’s Middle for Pupil Success, sits throughout her desk from an incoming or present scholar, she will establish with what they’re going by way of. She went by way of it herself as a former scholar of the faculty the place she now works.
Robinson started courses at Wallace State after she graduated from highschool in 1999. She took courses for 2 semesters earlier than transferring to the College of Alabama.
“I hated it,” she admits. “I did effectively grade-wise, however I simply didn’t benefit from the environment in any respect, so I got here again dwelling.”
She took a few extra semesters at Wallace State with a aim of transferring to UAB to finish a enterprise diploma.
“However I acquired going with work and work type of distracted me,” she mentioned. “I used to be making good cash, and every part was fantastic.”
A few yr after giving start to her son, she and her husband made plans for her to return to Wallace to take just a few extra courses earlier than transferring to Athens State College.
“Per week later, every part fell aside,” she mentioned. “I had already turned in discover for my job after which I grew to become a single mother, actual, actual fast. I made a decision I used to be going to stay to the plan. My job provided to only tear up the resignation letter, however I used to be like, no, I’m going to do that, I’m going to do it and we’re going to get completed with it and we’re going to do it proper, we’re going to get this performed.”
She got here again to Wallace for 2 extra semesters to get just a few extra courses out of the best way. She made certain to remain involved with Helen Crider of Athens State, who has an workplace on the WSCC campus, and constructed relationships with Enterprise instructors Marcie Manning and Terri Waldrop and Psychology teacher Stacey Brunner.
“They had been my largest cheerleaders at Wallace and gave me the encouragement I wanted to maintain transferring,” she mentioned. “Again then you definitely actually didn’t have advisors, so it was such as you made buddies together with your instructors, which I did, and simply hunt down info. So, Helen was on my Athens aspect and Marcie, Terri and Stacey had been on my Wallace aspect.
“They may all the time have an essential a part of my story,” she added. “Their kindness, encouragement, and understanding will all the time be remembered.”
Robinson earned an affiliate diploma typically research with a Enterprise focus from Wallace State in 2011 after which double majored in accounting and administration at Athens State, the place she graduated in 2012. She went on to earn a grasp’s diploma from Faulkner College.
She mentioned her time at Wallace State ready her and gave her the arrogance to proceed her training.
“It ready me for the following step,” she mentioned. “I used to be a single mother to a really younger baby. I used to be scared, broke, however I used to be decided to do higher for my baby. Wallace State not solely offered me with the instruments and confidence to comprehend that I might accomplish my objectives, however additionally they ready me for the checks, further assignments, studying to assume exterior of the field. They taught me to advocate for myself and the way essential a university training is.”
Now, she advocates for the scholars she advises and feels her experiences assist her commiserate with what they’re going by way of.
“I really feel like I can empathize with them after they’re contemporary out of highschool,” she mentioned. “I understand how scary that’s coming in. I do know you haven’t any clue how faculty life is basically going to be till you undergo that first semester. However then, I can even empathize with these college students which are coming again after making some totally different choices and getting away from faculty. I’ve been by way of it.”
Robinson mentioned she is going to typically share her story with college students, so that they notice they aren’t alone of their struggles and the way essential it’s not to give up.
“I share a little bit little bit of my journey to allow them to know this journey was not excellent by any means,” she mentioned. “There have been lots of late nights, lots of tears and lots of totally different jobs. I went a few years with out insurance coverage, and also you pray you don’t get hit by a automotive or get a loopy illness or want surgical procedure.”
A kind of college students is Randi Gonzalez, a Medical Aiding main. A single mom who moved again dwelling after escaping an abusive marriage, Gonzalez was six months pregnant when she first met Robinson when she visited to school to look into enrolling.
“She was candy, light and attentive to me,” she mentioned. “She made me really feel comfy. She put my thoughts comfy.”
Gonzalez instructed Robinson she didn’t wish to enroll at school thus far into her being pregnant, however that she would after her child was born. Robinson gave her details about the admissions course of and gave Gonzalez her card.
“One yr later, I obtained a name from Mrs. Robinson,” Gonzalez mentioned. “She known as to test on my household and requested if I used to be prepared to affix Wallace State Group School. The following morning, I utilized to the faculty. She’s going to stroll throughout the stage in Could on the Wallace State graduation ceremony and full her diploma this summer season.
Whereas Robinson mentioned her time at Wallace was the toughest, most emotional time she has ever skilled, it was additionally essentially the most rewarding. “I’ll be glad about beginning right here first,” she mentioned.
Robinson has since remarried and gained three bonus youngsters. Her son is now 14 and already has plans to enroll in Wallace State’s Twin Enrollment program when he turns into eligible. Robinson mentioned she is proud her son was capable of see her reach faculty and in her profession at Wallace State.
“Probably the most rewarding factor was my baby rising up, watching me do all the faculty issues,” she mentioned. “He was there for each commencement, and he has grown realizing how essential it’s to maintain pushing your self.”
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