Jackson-Mann Adult Education

During my senior year I have been volunteering at Jackson-Mann Community Center in Boston with the adult education program. I coordinate a group of volunteers through the 4Boston program at Boston College who also serve as teaching assistants and tutors. I also facilitate weekly reflections with the group of volunteers around issues of community, spirituality, and social justice.
My experience with the students at Jackson-Mann has been a fascinating ‘global’ experience. I work in a pre-GED classroom with about 12 students. In my classroom alone there are people from the United States, Brazil, Panama, Ireland, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The most fascinating aspect of working with these adult students and building relationships with them has been learning about where they are from and why they came to the United States. There are so many unique experiences that have brought all of these people together in this classroom. The environment is also very positive and welcoming for everybody no matter where they come from.
One particular story stands out to me. One student in the class I have very much enjoyed getting to know is a 28-year old man named Piyna from Cambodia. Piyna came to the United States 3 years ago not knowing a word of English and not knowing any family or friends in this area of the United States. Piyna had graduated from a 4 year college in Cambodia and had been working at a bank for 2 years when he decided to leave for the United States. He was not making much of a living, even when working at a bank, and left for the United States with hopes of finding more vocational success. Piyna now works at a café in Brighton and lives with several members of his family who have come to the United States in the past couple of years. Piyna has made much progress with his English grammar and speaking, though he has much more work ahead of him if he hopes to pass the GED. Piyna’s story is not uncommon among many immigrants to the United States who are seeking to find productive work.
Working at Jackson-Mann and getting to know many of the students has been a very enriching experience for me. I have the tremendous opportunity to meet interesting people from all over the world right here in Boston. In many ways we are able to develop reciprocal learning relationships where I am able to provide tutoring in English, Math, and Social Studies, while many of the students teach me about language, customs, and their life experiences in many countries around the world. This community that I am a part of provides an interesting integration of my global understanding with my local service.