Learners come to our literacy program all at different stages. They are at different levels of self-awareness and self-esteem. Some women come to our program wanting to get their high school diplomas, but they lack a sense of confidence in their abilities to achieve this goal. Some possess a certain degree of trust in their own abilities, but have not yet found a connection with others or a sense of belonging. We all need supports to carry on the work that we do. In a recent synthesis presentation, entitled “My CCT Guidebook: Keeping the Critical and Creative Thinking Momentum Alive,” Mary Frangie, a fellow CCT student, spoke of validation as a primary force driving her to feel confident in her ability to think creatively and critically. She inspired us to “recall a time when you were validated by someone else.”
I remembered my experiences these past few years as a teacher and a student. I would have found it very difficult to persist in this challenging field for the past five years if I did not have the support of the Adult Learner Program team. Likewise, if I did not have the encouragement of friends in and outside of the Critical and Creative Thinking Program, I am not sure my own motivation could carry me through this synthesis.
At our Adult Learner Program, we have found that women need three major supports in order to become persistent learners in the educational process. Women must possess some degree of a sense of self because they need this confidence in order to reach their goals. They must also make connections or feel a sense of place or belonging with others so they feel they are not alone in this challenging work. These two phases are essential for creating inner sacred space. Women also need to create a sacred space for themselves so they can feel safe during their educational journey. These three elements do not come in linear order.