United States: Learning Lessons Later
in Life
Edell Howard is not a typical college
student. Aged 38 and a father of five,
Edell has had a lifetime of experience
that traditional college kids would hardly
be able to fathom.
Growing up in Boston, Edell lived with
his parents and three older siblings. "I
was spoiled, my mama's baby. I was used
to getting lots of attention." Edell
wanted to belong, to be accepted, but
in school, he acted out. "I wanted
to be cool so I did crazy stuff; I would
never turn down a dare. I didn't pay
much attention to my studies." Edell's
behavior didn't gain him the favor of
all of his teachers: his high school
guidance counselor advised him to quit
school and join the army. By 12th grade,
Edell had left school, had two children,
and was working full-time. But Edell
had always liked school, and working
full-time reminded him that the grown-up
world was not any easier. So he went
to the principal and asked for a second
chance. It was granted, and Edell graduated
and went on to community college.
Shortly thereafter, however, Edell found
that he could make lots of money—fast—by
selling drugs. He dropped out of school
and for 15 years, Edell existed under
the radar, using and selling drugs. Then
he was caught and spent several months
in prison. It was, he says, his wake-up
call. "Many young black men are
introduced to the prison system while
in their teens, and it becomes their
second, if not first, home. Because I
avoided prison until age 35, I knew there
was more to life. As soon as I got there,
I said, 'never again'."
When he was released, he vowed to stay
out. But finding a job can be difficult
after time spent in prison. Edell was
lucky though; he was referred to X-Cel
Adult Education Services, Inc. With support from World
Education, Inc., and funding from the
Nellie Mae Education Foundation, X-Cel
helped Edell get back onto the track
off of which he fell. He brushed up on
college-level math and English, got help
preparing school and financial aid applications,
and was able to return to community college.
Edell credits X-Cel with teaching him "what
college is about and how to be a better
student. I had to learn, after being
out of school for over 15 years, how
to study at a college level, and to force
myself to ask questions when I didn't
understand something."
|
Edell
tutoring for X-Cel at Mission
Main Community Center, Boston.
|
Edell recently earned his associate's
degree at Roxbury Community College and
has matriculated to the University of
Massachusetts/Boston, where he continues
to pursue a BA in mathematics. Thereafter,
he hopes to teach math to middle-school
children, because "...they are at
an impressionable stage...teachers can
have a big impact on middle school students'
lives and the decisions they make."
Yet Edell is proof that adults are also
impressionable and open to new ways of
living and thinking. He now works at
X-Cel, his 'alma mater' of sorts, tutoring
math to GED-seeking adults. His students—young,
old, Asian, Caribbean—respond well to
Edell's relaxed demeanor and practical,
easy-to-comprehend way of explaining
math problems. It is clear that this
is a role that brings out the best in
Edell. His personality shines, he is
confident, knowledgeable, and respected.
Edell brushes it off. "If you have
support, anything is possible."
|
