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: Thomas Phillips
Thomas Lee Phillips, Jr. spent most of his youth being passed from one foster home to another. His mother was addicted to drugs and Thomas was taken out of her care at the age of 10. Thomas dealt with feelings of abandonment by abusing drugs and alcohol beginning as soon as he was placed in foster care. Thomas' education suffered because of lack of support, physical disabilities, and learning disabilities that were never addressed. He dropped out of high school feeling defeated by the system. Thomas aged out of the foster care system and continued to abuse drugs and alcohol until he hit rock bottom and went into a rehabilitation program. While in the program, Thomas decided to begin changing the course of his life by enrolling in Adult Education to get his high school diploma.