Indiana Adult Education Success Stories

Basic Skills. High School Equivalency. Short-term Training. Certifications and More.

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Matt Wire

"In ninth grade, my school counselor told me I had no skills or talents. I walked out of high school and never returned. Years later, after the economy crashed and my business failed, I faced the truth: I needed a real job. But I was a high school dropout. The day before my 37th birthday, I signed up for the GED exam. I passed — and everything changed. I earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, and I’m now working on my second. Today, I serve as the chief marketing and communications officer at The Literacy Alliance and teach college courses.""

“In Allen County, over 24,000 adults lack a high school diploma. Programs like The Literacy Alliance’s Project Graduate help change that. With proper funding and support, adult education transforms lives and communities. I’ve lived the impact — and I urge you to support this vital work. It’s never too late to rewrite your story.”

Chrissy Saylor

After a difficult childhood and becoming a mother at age 16, Chrissy Saylor left high school her senior year without graduating. She obtained skills to find employment through her adult life and traded in her forklift license in 2023 to become a certified nursing assistant.

She fell in love with this career but was informed by her boss to keep the position she needed to earn her HSE within six months. Chrissy found Fort Wayne Community Schools Adult Education and shared her situation. She enrolled in Miss Kathy’s class and was provided with the tools and direction she needed to prepare for the HSE exam. After two months, she was ready for the exam and earned her HSE diploma at the age of 36.

Chrissy now sees college as a realistic opportunity and is looking forward to earning her Bachelor’s in Nursing.

Shane Bessom

""I always struggled in school and was labeled ‘stupid’ because I couldn’t learn the way other kids did. I dropped out of high school and learned to do things with my hands to make a living.

"I earned enough to support my family by running a small repairs and painting business but wanted to prove to myself and my kids that I was smart enough to be a high school graduate. The staff at McDowell taught me how to learn through reading and improve my spelling along with preparing me for the HSE exam.  McDowell taught me that I can do anything through studying and preparation and gave me the opportunity to earn my High School Equivalency Diploma. "

"This fall I am enrolling in the welding program and will be able to expand my business with new skills enabling me to bid for additional contracting jobs, providing a better life for my family. "

"My dream of being a high school graduate came true thanks to McDowell Adult Education, and I am now pursuing a future career as a building inspector."

Brady Raab

"I’m Brady Raab, and this is my journey. In high school, I did well until I broke my leg playing JV football. I became homebound, my grades dropped, and I gave up. But I always dreamed of joining the military. I had passed the ASVAB but needed my GED to enlist. Life was unstable—I moved from home to home and lacked an ID and permanent address."

“Things changed when I moved in with my friend Kyle and his Aunt Joannie. I focused on work and, with constant encouragement from Mrs. Coley, I committed to Adult Education. Once I turned 18 and had my paperwork, I took and passed all my tests on the first try. I got my diploma the same day I went to MEPS.”

“Now I’m training as a 91 Bravo wheeled vehicle mechanic at Fort Gregg-Adams, preparing for deployment to Korea. I’m proud of how far I’ve come. Thank you to everyone who believed in me.”

BIllie Roberts

"In January 2024, I made a life-changing decision to better myself—not just for my family, but for me. As a teenager, I had dropped out of high school, and early adulthood was filled with challenges. But everything changed when I became a mom. Suddenly, I had a purpose. My outlook on life shifted, and with the unwavering support of my husband, I enrolled at Wagler Education & Training Center to pursue my High School Equivalency Diploma."

"Achieving that first goal was a huge milestone. But my journey didn’t stop there. With a new sense of confidence and self-worth, I applied for employment at Greene County General Hospital - My Clinics. Through a partnership with My Clinics and Wagler Education, I was offered a chance to return to Wagler Education & Training Center this time to enroll in their Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) training program. Fueled by determination and belief in my abilities, I passed the CCMA exam on my first attempt and proudly earned my certification. Earning my CCMA gave me an increased income of $7,000 annually."

“I’m deeply grateful to Wagler Education & Training Center for giving me the tools and support to transform my life. My two children were my biggest motivation. They saw the effort, the late nights, and the commitment I gave to my education. They were my 'why' through it all.”

“Today, I can proudly say I am not only a high school graduate, but also a licensed Certified Clinical Medical Assistant working full-time in a career I love. I feel the best I ever have about myself—grateful, proud, and inspired for what’s next.”

To see additional success stories from the IN Adult Education program check here:   Success Story Archives