OTAN invites nominations of California adult education learners who are successful as a result of the education received at adult education agencies for the California Adult Education Students Succeed program. The program honors outstanding students who are adults with significant life responsibilities, who have made positive contributions to the community, established and met life goals by attending an adult education program, improved the life situations of self and others, and overcome difficult circumstances in order to pursue adult learning experiences. The program recognizes the hard work that outstanding adult education students have completed in the pursuit of their personal, academic, and professional goals and aspirations.
You can read stories and watch videos from previous years by clicking on the Students tab. You can also explore stories from specific adult education agencies and programs by clicking on the Schools and Programs tabs. To learn how to nominate a student for the program and to submit an online nomination form, click on the Nomination tab.
Students Succeed Honoree: Maria Cornellier
Due to difficult life circumstances, Maria Cornellier did not attend school as a child. Ten years ago, she joined Castro Valley Adult & Career Education in the Adult Basic Education Program. When her children were little, she would pretend to read stories to her children making up things from the pictures so her children would not know she couldn’t read. The entire school is jumping for joy because Maria has gone from zero literacy to completing a high school diploma. She gained so much confidence she was able to work for a while as a Administrator at Trinity counseling. She will start Diablo Valley College in the fall and hopes to eventually attend Christian Grand Canyon University to study Christian faith-based addiction counseling.