West Hartford Adult Education held its third annual end of year celebration at Town Hall.

By Caren Dickman. Photos by Ronni Newton

Superintendent Paul Vicinus said it best. “Tonight, we celebrate more than the completion of coursework – we celebrate persistence, courage and motivation. Each one of you has taken a bold step to invest in yourselves, in your future, often balancing jobs, families and countless responsibilities along the way.” 

The West Hartford Adult Education’s third Annual End of Year Celebration recently paid tribute to students who earned their National External Diploma, who are learning the English language, and students who became United States citizens this year. The program served over 265 adult students this year who come from 40 countries worldwide, live or work in West Hartford and attend classes to learn English.

The participants come from many different countries, including Afghanistan, Brazil, China, Columbia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Syria and Ukraine. Students and their families proudly shared food from their native countries at the celebration.

Mayor Shari Cantor congratulated the entire Parhomenko family – Roman, Elena, and their children Karin and Eldar – on becoming U.S. citizens this past year. They left Ukraine in 1999, lived in Israel for 16 years, and came to our country in 2015 on a work visa. West Hartford has become their home. 

“It takes incredible strength and courage to leave your birth country to make a better life. You’ve had to learn a new language and meet all of the requirements to become a citizen. Each of you has an incredible story. It is the story of the United States of America,” Cantor said.

Most students complete the National External Diploma Program (NEDP) in one to two years or longer due to family and work schedules. Alice Brewer completed it in just six months and was proud to receive her diploma from Superintendent Paul Vicinus at the celebration. 

Christina Beckett, the NEDP Assessor/Advisor, pointed out that this program’s flexibility allowed Alice to continue working in a job she loves and meet in the evenings, most often at 8:30 p.m. “It seems late, but it was a great time of day to settle in and concentrate. She has been an absolutely stellar student in our program – always prepared and ready to go with top notch work. Alice has a strong interest in early childhood education and I believe she will become a wonderful educator one day soon!”

Graduates of the National External Diploma Program (NEDP) earn a diploma from the West Hartford Public Schools. It is a rigorous, nationally recognized high school diploma option for people with full-time schedules. Nationwide, 90% complete and pursue their career and/or academic goals for employment/training and/or attending college. 

The Connecticut Association for Adult and Continuing Education (CAACE) Teacher of the Year, Dawn Hambrecht, received a surprise introduction from her former student, Freshta Tarin. Freshta is now a paraprofessional at Morley Elementary School.

While living in Afghanistan, Freshta never worked, never completed college, didn’t drive, and didn’t know English. With no confidence and no previous employment experience, she never dreamed of learning a new language, getting her first job and learning how to drive in just one year.

Freshta attributes her success to the inspiration of her ESL teacher, Dawn Hambrecht. “Without her encouragement and help, it wouldn’t have been possible. I’m so appreciative.” Dawn encouraged her to apply for her first job and helped her prepare the application. She then guided her through the interview process. 

This is just one example of why CAACE selected Dawn Hambrecht as “Statewide Educator of the Year.” The association recognizes three exceptional teachers each year for their leadership, innovation and impact in the field of adult education. She also received Certificates of Accomplishment and Special Recognition from Connecticut’s U.S. Senators ,Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal. 

“I am deeply honored to receive this award,” Hambrecht said. “However, I am more honored by seeing my students succeed.Their successes include moving up a level in English, getting a library card, having a conversation with a classmate, securing their first job, moving on to community college, or learning to read for the first time. They take on challenges to change the course of their lives and the lives of their families. These are lifelong rewards that inspire me to teach.”

From beginners to advanced, each of the ESL (English as a Second Language) classes demonstrated what they learned this past year. Their teachers also awarded certificates to recognize academic achievement, leadership and attendance.

Teaching adults who are just learning English how to administer CPR chest compressions is no easy feat. Together with West Hartford Fire Department’s Community Support Officer, Andrew Eccles, ESL teachers Pam Pernal and Dawn Hambrecht accomplished this as part of their Health/Emergency units. Pernal and Hambrecht began by teaching their students the appropriate English vocabulary. They also practiced various scenarios including calling 9-1-1 to report a health emergency. Eccles followed by coming to teach them how to apply CPR skills with hands-on demonstrations.  

In honor of the United States’ 250th anniversary, four ESL classes displayed what they learned about Connecticut’s history. As part of the research for their presentation, ESL teacher Joyce Bogden took her class to the CT Museum’s opening night of the “Rebellious.” The exhibition explores moments in Connecticut history when its people united to pursue their own visions of life, liberty and happiness in America. 

ESL teachers Hambrecht, Andrea Igdalsky and Veronica Lee taught their students how to research Connecticut facts (state bird, flag, cities, counties, etc.) so they could share what they like about the state. Igdalsky’s class created a book of state facts and read it together to everyone. 

To close out the celebration, Shelley Solomon, director of West Hartford’s Adult Education Program, thanked all for coming and praised their accomplishments. “I continue to be very moved by your dedication and determination. Our goal is to ‘Bring Adult Education Out of the Shadows into the Sunlight’ and tonight’s event helps adult education shine in West Hartford.”

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