Meet Carol Poole

Carol Poole is a program instructor for the Adult Education Program at Denso Manufacturing. Denso partnered with BCVision’s GED taskforce and Battle Creek Public Schools to offer employees a chance to earn their General Education Degree (GED).

Carol earned her GED in the 1970s. She went on to college and received a teaching certificate in elementary and special education. She also has a master’s degree in counseling psychology. Over the years, Carol has worked as a teacher and even had her own private practice. She then came out of retirement to continue pursuing her passion in education.

Helping Students Succeed

As a program instructor, Carol helps assess each student’s skills individually and then creates a plan for them to reach their goal of earning a GED or high school equivalency. She then teaches the curriculum. Carol even administers the tests that students must pass to earn their degrees. In addition to the academic portion, the students also learn soft skills which help them become better employees.

Carol goes above and beyond when it comes to helping students succeed and reach their goals. She meets students where they are and lets them learn at their own pace. She’s willing to work with students one-on-one and on weekends. She even provides snacks at her lessons!

Carol strives to change the perspective about learning. She believes education should be fun and exciting. She tells her students, “If you’re not having fun, I’m doing it wrong.” Her sense of humor and compassion helps her build relationships and figure out each student’s learning style.

Carol says the fear of failure can sometimes hold students back. She believes that with grit and commitment, anyone can earn their GED, no matter how long it takes. “The first step is the hardest and if you can dream it, we can help you do it,” Carol said.

Keeping the Momentum Going

Getting a GED can help elevate and enrich students’ lives in many ways. Carol believes it has a ripple effect, but it begins with education. She says education builds pride and self-esteem. As people develop a sense of pride in themselves, they also begin to develop a sense of pride in where they live.

The Adult Education Program at Denso Manufacturing impacts the lives of the students but also the lives of their children, grandchildren and eventually the community as a whole.

Many students come in with the goal to just get their GEDs. Over time, the students learn the value of education and that leads to curiosity and interest in other things like politics, financial literacy, skill trades, pursuing a college degree, etc. Carol’s goal is for the program to grow and encompass all the manufacturing companies in the Fort Custer area, so that employees at each company have this opportunity to earn their GED. “The more the program grows, the more lives we change,” Carol said.

The Best Part

Carol says the best part of her position is working with her team and the students she serves. Carol loves the relationships she builds with the students.

Getting her GED changed Carol’s life. “[Adult Education] is my passion, and I think it’s because I’m a GED grad, and I know all the doors that it opens to life.” Carol says she feels privileged to be a part of the students’ journey and success and she appreciates that they remember her down the line. Many students have reached out to her after graduation to thank her for helping them reach their goal. 

Do you know someone who is helping to move our community forward? Nominate someone today by emailing us at support@battlecreekvision.com. Make sure to read about our past “Get Caught” recipients like Cherise Buchanan, Priscilla Dieguez, and so many more!

 

 

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Meet Chris Jones

Christopher Jones is a Crew Leader with the Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) MyCityBC program. MyCityBC is a summer program that provides disadvantaged youth with a paid work experience. The high school-aged students work on job sites, attend educational workshops and learn valuable job skills to prepare them for the work force.

Chris previously worked at Youth Builder Battle Creek and has been a case manager in substance abuse rehabilitation facilities.

a culture of vitality

As a crew leader during the summer program, Chris supervised the youth on the job site and assigned them tasks to complete. He also built relationships and served as a mentor to the teens.

“I’ve always had a passion to educate the youth about the negative consequences that are associated with crime, drugs and violence, but I also have a passion for them to improve their lives,” Chris said.

That passion comes from the mistakes Chris has made in his past. He talks openly about struggling with a drug addiction when he was young and how it led him to a life of crime. Chris spent 12 years in prison. During that time, he did a lot of self-reflection and knew he wanted to turn his life around. While incarcerated, he took a course to become certified as a substance abuse counselor.

Chris hasn’t let his past hold him back. Since being released from prison, he has been on a mission to help others. He wants to guide the young people in our community in the right direction.

Chris believes in meeting students where they are. He uses humor and open dialogue to relate to them and encourages them along the way. He teaches the students to work hard but to also have fun!

keep the momentum going

Although the program is finished for this year, Chris would love to return to work with the MyCityBC program next summer. He would like to see the program expand so that more youth can get the chance to experience everything MyCityBC has to offer. He believes these youth are the future and that it’s important to guide them on the right path now so they can grow up to contribute positively to their community.

the best part

“My reward is seeing them succeed,” he said. Chris helps the students set attainable goals and is happy to be a part of creating a foundation for them to grow inside and outside of the program.

Chris was born and raised in Battle Creek. He says he loves living here and the best part of the community is the opportunities and the variety of things to do around the city. He’s excited for all the improvements coming to the downtown area.

Do you know someone who is helping to move our community forward? Learn more about how to nominate someone today. Make sure to read about our past “Get Caught” recipients like Brittany Sheehy, Alesia Walsh, and so many more!

Meet Alesia Walsh, Our August “Get Caught” Recipient

BCVision is challenging community members to “Get Caught” moving Battle Creek forward through job creation and training, talent development, and community vitalization.

meet alesia walsh

Alesia Walsh is a Career Trainer with Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) at MyCITY BC. MyCITY BC is a summer program that provides disadvantaged youth with a paid work experience. High school-aged students apply for the internship. Participants are randomly selected to work on job sites, attend educational workshops and learn valuable job skills that prepare them for the work force.

Outside of the program, Alesia is an English teacher. She’s worked with eighth graders for several years, but this upcoming school year, she’ll be teaching ninth grade.

creating a culture of vitality

In her role as career trainer, Alesia teaches students financial literacy, interview skills, resume building, and how to be professional in a work environment. She helps to coach them through problem solving and conflict resolution.

Alesia believes the MyCITY BC program helps prepare the students to become good em-ployees. More importantly, she also believes the program helps them to become good peo-ple who will contribute positively to our community and economy.

As a child, Alesia experienced trauma that shaped her life. She beat the odds to become the teacher and career trainer she is today. Alesia believes it’s important for her to help students overcome trauma and challenges they may have faced and to help them succeed as well.
She wants students to know, “No matter what’s happened to you, if you want it badly enough, it can happen. That’s the mark that I want to leave on students… if I can do it, you’ll be able to do it, too.”

the best part

Alesia has lived in Battle Creek for fifteen years, and the summer program has allowed her to work in the heart of downtown. She enjoys connecting with students and feeling like she’s a part of the community as well. Alesia says the best part of it all is really getting to know the students and seeing them take pride in the work they do.

Do you know someone who is helping to move our community forward? Learn more about how to nominate someone today. While you’re at it, make sure to read about our past “Get Caught” recipients like Israel Flores, Tyler Gilland, and so many more!

Meet Tyler Gilland, Our May “Get Caught” Recipient

BCVision is challenging community members to “Get Caught” moving Battle Creek forward through job creation and training, talent development, and community vitalization.

MEET TYLER GILLAND

Tyler Gilland is a Freshman Social Studies teacher at Battle Creek Central High School and is dedicated to encouraging the progress of his students. When Tyler was in High School, he made decisions that could have impacted his life and career negatively. Tyler came to the realization that the chances of success were very slim if a change was not made in his life. With support from passionate teachers, he was able to get on track. The support from these teachers inspired Tyler to give back and become a teacher himself.

Talent Development

Tyler goes beyond the classroom setting when it comes to the enrichment of his students. “I want to pay it forward. I’m the beneficiary of the people who helped me. I want to do what others don’t want to do. We need another representation of what it looks like to be a successful individual in the community.”

In addition to his teaching duties, Tyler is active in the Summer School program, National Honor Society and Link Crew, which connects his freshman students to upperclassmen who introduce the freshmen to life at Battle Creek Central. He also is an Assistant Basketball Coach and has helped the teams win back-to-back District Championships in 2016 and 2017.

Tyler says he wants to show his students how to lead by example. He wants to show that creating an environment where a student can lead is the first step to fostering an environment where every student is able to pay it forward.

Tyler believes education is the proactive way to save lives. “I didn’t have what I know now growing up. I want to be the one who protects students and keeps them from trouble.” Tyler believes that by providing education and connections with students, he can help students to grow as people.

Watching students interact with Tyler, you can see that he is helping to move Battle Creek forward. We salute Tyler for his work and helping to inspire future generations.

The Best Part

Tyler says the best part about Battle Creek is the people who refuse to give up on Battle Creek. “This city has so many people in so many sectors, industries and institutions who are dedicated toward making this a place where kids can achieve their true potential. People, more so than the institutions they represent, are also working hard to disrupt systems of inequity, challenging the old way of doing things.”

Do you know someone who is helping to move our community forward? Learn more about how to nominate someone today. Make sure to read about our past “Get Caught” recipients like Carmen Meinhardi, Vickie Brennan and so many more!