By Jessica Garcia
Jerry White is about to reach 20 years of helping adults learn basic English and math skills, and he says it remains one of the most fulfilling things he’s ever done.
The former New Mexico resident has been working with the Northern Nevada Literacy Council for about five years now. He said he got his start as an English as a Second Language teacher, where some of the biggest barriers, besides assisting students with learning the language, include finding out how much the students know of basic math or other educational concepts.
“The challenge is finding out where the students’ math gaps are because they’ve all been to school and they’ve all been to at least a couple years of high school, and sort of groping around and finding out where their gaps are is where the challenge is,” he said. “If they had it but it just went to the back of their mind for lack of (school) years, then you can draw that out again. It’s not that difficult.
“But sometimes with the ESL students or with those getting their high school equivalency, you struggle with a bit of a language barrier there and where they came from.”
White said he seeks to help his students overcome the basics. As they make gains at the lower and higher levels, eventually they become ready to take the test and with enough classes, they can earn their diploma, he said. Every student is on their own path, but the average length to complete an HSE is about 10 weeks.
“Some folks take a couple years to get through, and they have and they stuck with it and they got it,” he said.
Watching them receive their diploma is the rewarding part of the process.
“I’m only part-time; I’m only on at night,” he said. “And it’s a good use of my time. I enjoy the social interaction.”
