Inspiring Learners
"Love to Learn" Competition update
In December 2011, we asked Adult Learners to tell us why they love to learn- describing the power education has, for themselves, families and communities. From the entries we received, we have chosen three winners: Frances O'Brien, Alan Lyons and Des Mooney. They will each receive a small prize and will now participate in the AONTAS advertising campaign to promote the Adult Learners' Festival through local and national radio and social media.
Thanks to all learners who participated in the competition and a selection of the best entries to the "Love to Learn" competition will be put on our website as part of our "Inspiring Learners" section over the next week.
Winning Slogans:
"I love to learn because I find it very uplifting and it brings an enormous amount of happiness and fulfilment into my life."
Frances O'Brien
"I love to learn because learning gave me the confidence to improve and change, mend and satisfy areas in my life that needed attention"
Des Mooney
"I love to learn because; learning is the stuff of life itself. With new knowledge comes new beginnings and a challenged mind never grows old."
Alan Lyons
You can see Video Clips from the winners of the competition to promote the 2011 ALF: Gregory Meakin, Rachel Lynch and Anna Delaney
Inspiring Learners
As part of the AONTAS campaign to promote the Value of Adult and Community Education we have asked adult learners to put forward in their words a testimony of their experience of what adult and community education means to them.
The aim of these short testimonies is to for Adult Learners' Voices to be heard- so that politicians see the broad spectrum of adult learners, the value of adult and community education, its impact on individuals, families and communities and the importance that adult and community education to be adequately resourced.
John Mc Carthy, Adult Learner
In November 2005 I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Social studies. I had worked for over sixteen years with people with learning disabilities in London and Dublin and after three years working with St Michael's House the opportunity came about to get a professional qualification through St Michael's House Open Training College. For me this was a great chance to go get a qualification and I took the opportunity.
John Mc Carthy, Adult LearnerGrowing up, I had no formal education; I went to school periodically because it was important for my Holy Communion and Confirmation which was very common for Travellers. Travellers tended to winter in the one place but would travel for the remainder of the year and my time at school was not always a positive experience. The school routine was that we arrived in school together escorted by family members and automatically we had the feeling that we stuck out and were different and there was an air of anticipation that the 'Gypsies were arriving'. My experience was that there was no great effort, willingness or emphasis to teach the Traveller children academically; if anything we were being managed as a problem, thus we were given crayons and books for colouring that occupied us and really they didn't teach us anything.
I am the first Traveller man to qualify with a degree in Social Care. This is a major achievement and I hope this will encourage other Traveller men to go in to third level education or indeed education initiatives and that Traveller men will see the caring profession as a profession that they can go in to. Lots of men think that they can't work in the caring positions, they can this is true of Traveller men because Traveller men are also sensitive, caring and kind. Travellers can be doctors; male nurses a whole range of professions. I hope I can act as a role model for young Travellers who may be think they can't work in the caring professions. What I have achieved goes to show that they can.
Are you an Inspirational Adult Learner?
As part of the AONTAS Strategic plan it was identified that we would actively support our members to promote the value of adult and community education, profile their work and engage with local media and key agencies. The collection of case studies was seen as an integral part of this work and will complement our policy and promotional work.
AONTAS are currently compiling a database of case studies to promote the benefits of adult learning and highlight the way in which adult learning can change the lives of real people. On television, radio or newspapers, nothing is more effective than a real story from a real learner for demonstrating the benefits of returning to education.
We hope to highlight these stories on our website and in a range of our publications such as Explore and the Information Booklet. These stories will also be highlighted at AONTAS events such as the learners networks, the Community Education Network and of course the Adult Learners Festival.
If you an adult learner or know of an adult learner who wants to share their story and inspire other adults to return to education please remember we love to hear your success stories. If you have a story you would like to share why not e-mail your story to us at mail@aontas.com.
