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: Amanda Lauer
Amanda is goal-oriented and works to complete intermediate goals as she pursues her long-term goal. While being goal-oriented, Amanda is also realistic, and she is flexible and willing to accept that unforeseen new experiences sometimes require intermediate goal changes. Amanda came to Mountain View Los Altos Adult School (MVLAAS) intending to enroll into the Medical Assistant program and work as a licensed Medical Assistant. However, when she was informed a high school diploma (which she does not have) is a prerequisite to obtaining a Medical Assistant license, she changed her plan to pursue a GED prior to enrolling into the Medical Assistant program. After having dropped out of school 10 years prior, Amanda enrolled into the GED program at MVLAAS and earned her GED in two months, including scoring the highest score on the Math test of her class. Amanda's GED teachers made note of Amanda's speed of completion and outstanding test scores and used her as a role model for her classmates. After earning her GED, Amanda enrolled into the next available seat in the Medical Assistant program. She completed the program with high marks in her class, completed a 160 hour externship, and started working the day after she completed her externship. When she came to MVLAAS, her goal was to become a licensed Medical Assistant. Through her experiences with the externship, Amanda established a new long-term goal – to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse. Her new plan is to excel and grow in the healthcare industry and use her experiences as a Medical Assistant as she works to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse. In recognition of Amanda's efforts and success, MVLAAS named her the Student of the Month (March 2020).