Speaker: Ashley Janicki
What inspired you to become part of SAAEF?
Ashley Janicki: What inspired me to become part of SAAEF was an opportunity to learn more about adult education advocacy, about what it takes to advocate for funding resources for a voice as it relates to adult education work. In the state of Kentucky, we've not had a state association to help guide some of that work for several years. And so, through this, I was hoping to learn about what others were doing across the country and to really figure out how to relaunch that association here and to just really learn from others and find an opportunity to use my voice to advocate for the work that I do daily.
What were your biggest accomplishments during your SAAEF fellowship?
Ashley Janicki: I would say I have a couple of big accomplishments during my time as a SAAEF fellow. The first one is definitely the opportunity to go to DC with COABE and other SAAEF fellows to learn about what it means to be active on the Hill and to talk to legislators. It was an amazing learning experience. I'd say the biggest takeaway was don't do it alone; go as a team. And really just be there and be passionate and be yourself to share about the work. The second accomplishment is during that week, it was the Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, we were able to secure a lot of proclamations in the state of Kentucky from mayors, from the governor, from local judges, just folks that were proclaiming that week and advocating for it, so that was a big accomplishment. And then the final one was that the Kentucky Association of Adult and Continuing Education was relaunched and so that was not something that I did alone, but it was one of my goals for my work in this fellowship, and we have relaunched our Kentucky, State Association and I'm very proud of that.
What would you like to say to someone in the field who is unsure if they have what it takes to be an advocate?
Ashley Janicki: I think what I'd say to someone in the field who is unsure if they have what it takes to advocate or to be an advocate is that you do. I can confidently say that you do have the skills to be an advocate and really what it takes is your energy, your passion, your willingness to just share the story of the work that you do. Whether you're a student or an administrator or a teacher or a proctor, no matter the role you have, you have what it takes because it really takes an open heart. A willingness to speak with others and really just tell the story of what adult education can do for individuals that we serve. And so the main message is you do have what it takes. And I would say the other thing is if you're nervous, because I definitely was and honestly still am in many situations, don't do it alone. Find partners, find co-workers, find the students to do this work. You no doubt have the skills to be an advocate for adult education.
