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: Kenneth Burtis

Burtis

In 2017, tragedy struck for Kenneth after he went to the hospital to be treated for pneumonia. What came next would prove to alter the course of his life forever – he was later diagnosed with a condition called brain hypoxia which is the lack of oxygen to the brain when in a medically induced coma. For Kenneth, this brain injury left him in a low place in his life. He not only lost his job but had to reorient his cognitive and motor skills to be successful.

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