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: Aislin Cortes
Aislin first enrolled in our program 2 ½ years ago. She had recently arrived from Mexico with no English language development at all. Aislin comes from a low income family and is a 22-year-old single mom. She relies on public transportation to take her son to child care and attend school. Through hard work and dedication, after a little over a year of hard work in her ESL class, she was recommended to the high school diploma program. In less than a year, she completed all the requirements needed for high school graduation. While attending our high school diploma program, she continued to attend our ESL and no-credit child development class. Rain or shine, Aislin maintained excellent attendance. We remember seeing her numerous times arriving to school on a rainy day soaking wet. Other times, she waited for the bus when the weather was over 105 degrees, while other times, she walked over three miles just to get to school.