Coastal Pines Adult Education program has returned to Eagle Station in Patterson and Brenée Wright is eager to get the word out. As the new instructor for the program location, Wright is eager to help others resume their journey to new opportunities. The program kicked off earlier this year and offers tuition-free GED classes.
The program was last active in Patterson in 2023.
“There’s a need for it and we want the community to be know it’s back up and running,” says Wright.
Several factors make Patterson a good fit for helping adults get their GEDs, says Wright, not least of which is the location. Now, Pierce residents do not have to travel if they want to take part. Even proctored tests, which formerly required traveling to Waycross, can now be done locally through a partnership with the Pierce County Library in Blackshear.
Wright reports they already have a handful of students and are looking to add more.
The ultimate goal of Wright and the program is to remove barriers to earning a GED. Wright says that each student’s learning plan is individualized to work with that person’s knowledge level and work/life schedule.
Personally attending the orientation and proctored tests is mandatory, but courses can even be taken entirely online.
“You can do it at your own pace. A highly motivated student might complete it in a few weeks. Others might need to take a little longer,” Wright said.
She understands that for many,thecourseshavetobe worked around a job schedule. One of her new students comes two nights a week.
Wright is a seasoned educator, an English teacher who also taught Spanish and English as a second language. The Adult Education program schedule works to her benefit as well. As a homeschooling mom and part of a homeschool collective which meets in Blackshear, Wright’s days are spent instructing her children. However, Wright can be found at Eagle Station, from 4 - 8 p.m. Monday - Thursday. For more info please email [email protected] u “When our community members grow and improve, so does our community,” Wright says.
