Most educators can attest that their work extends beyond the school walls. This is especially true of adult educators, who play a vital role in the school system as well as the community as a whole.
One educator who has created an adult school deeply linked to the community is ACSA’s 2010 Adult Education Administrator of the Year Joyce Lude, principal of Roseville Adult School in Roseville USD. Through her leader-ship, support for the adult school flows throughout the district, schools and the public.
“Adult education is often the ‘best kept secret’ in a district, as it provides the behind-the-scenes educational support for families.” Lude said. “The impact that adult education has on the Roseville community through dropout retrieval, parent education for English learner families and providing opportunities for our young adults to earn their final credits needed for graduation has shown me this is the right area of education for me.”
Lude began her educational career as a home economics teacher with the ultimate goal of helping individuals improve their quality of life. When the opportunity arose to enter administration, she realized she would still be working toward that ultimate goal, but on a larger scale.
“I went into education as I believe it is the number one way to help individuals improve their quality of life,” she said. “I’m still improving the quality of life for my students, they are just slightly older.”
As in any area of education, adult education administrators are expected to do more with less. This year, RAS served more than 2,500 students, despite a 20 percent reduction in funding. Over the past two years, the testing program has doubled. Students take longer to get their diplomas due to increased rigor and requirements, all at a time when more adults need this documentation to be competitive in the job market.
“The most challenging aspect of my job is to address the increasing need for adult education services with fewer resources,” Lude said.
The benefits of adult education are multi-faceted. Not only do the adults themselves reap the rewards, but their children do as well. For example, RAS helps families acquire language skills, while the Parent Institute for Quality Education helps parents prepare their children for post-secondary education.
“Educators know the importance of family support and interaction for student success,” Lude said. “Roseville Adult School is working to address the immediate needs of the adults in the community as well as the needs of their children through ESL, parent education and targeted programs that help parents increase their child’s college readiness.”
Lude said there is nothing more rewarding than to see the life-changing effect that adult education can have on individuals. She said she is blessed to hear powerful student testimonials, such as students from her preparation program who have become U.S. citizens, English learners who are now able to help their children with homework or actively participate in a meeting with their counselors, and those who are now able to re-enter the workforce with a GED or diploma.
Another rewarding aspect of Lude’s job is the can-do attitude of the adult education staff and students. With only two classrooms onsite, staff has been forced to be highly creative and collaborative.
“It is not uncommon for our independent study students to be working in the hallway or counseling office,” Lude said. “We thrive with classes at elementary sites, district classrooms in the evening, an apartment activity room, family resource center, EDD meeting room, church and county office. I’ve heard some in our community say that Roseville Adult School is everywhere.”
Lude said despite the challenges, she and her staff have led the school to earn its initial WASC accreditation last year, and Roseville Adult School is rated among the top adult schools in the state.
John Montgomery, assistant superintendent, curriculum and instruction at Roseville USD, said Lude’s dedication to the community is extensive, whether it be continuing education for near graduates, older adults returning for a diploma or GED, English learners or even current seniors who need extra support to graduate.
“She is the longest-standing and most respected principal in the district, and leads with a stealth-like precision that always focuses on the pride of the community,” he said. “Joyce has always been a team player, and has extended a helpful attitude to any adult who walks through the door at Roseville Adult School.”
Lude said her involvement in ACSA has had a positive impact on her work in the trenches. It has given her the opportunity to interact with the top administrators in California. As a member of the state Adult Education Council, she has been able to learn from experienced colleagues facing the same challenges.
“As the only adult education administrator in my district, ACSA has allowed me an opportunity to network with others in a job-alike setting,” she said. “Whether at the charter, region or state level, ACSA has provided me with professional development, networking and collaboration with job-alike colleagues to help me deal with the challenges – and rewards – in education.”
Lude, along with ACSA’s other administrators of the year, will be formally honored during ACSA’s Leadership Summit, Nov. 4-6 in San Diego. Click here to register.