Speaker: Byron Johnson
What inspired you to become part of SAAEF?
Byron Johnson: Why was I inspired to be a part of the SAAEF community? Well, I'm only in my 3rd year of adult education, but I can truly say that when I first got here, I was totally blown away and impressed by the impact that this program has on the students that come in, come through the doors and the community at large. And I was truly just inspired to be a part of anything that I could do that could shed light, continue to shed light on the great things that adult education has to offer and to dismantle the stigma surrounding adult education program in general. So when, when the opportunity came up to be a SAAEF fellow, it, it just seemed like a very natural thing to do, a very natural progression, but it's really helped me to further my understanding of adult ed from a legislative standpoint, and also just in seeing other things that are happening across the country. It's been very inspirational for me to continue to work in this capacity and work towards advocating for adult education and all that it has to offer.
What were your biggest accomplishments during your SAAEF fellowship?
Byron Johnson: So I don't know if I necessarily call it an accomplishment, but I'm really proud of the efforts that we have as it relate to legislative action, range from sending letters to our politicians, at the state and national level to The Capitol Hill Flood, the Hill event, which I was able to participate in and I thought that was awesome to be able to go and speak to different legislators and legislative aides there to advocate for adult education, but I was also really proud of the efforts we had locally to host legislative luncheon whereby our senator was able to attend, and really get a chance to meet some of our students to see our program in action and to hear the stories and put a face with the stories that, that's that's really having a huge impact, I think, on helping him, helping him or and them to understand what we do and the difference that we make so that they can continue to support adult education, whether it be through funding or legislative action or anything else. And I think that's gonna make a difference not only today, but in the future. So we need to continue to do things like that, that really give us a chance to put our students in front of these politicians. And in the community at large, so that the community at large can understand what the, the impact is of adult education program.
What would you like to say to someone in the field who is unsure if they have what it takes to be an advocate?
Byron Johnson: Um, fF wondering if they have what it takes to be a SAAEF fellow, if you have a pulse and a passion for adult education, you have what it takes. Everything else can be taught. Everything else can be taught. But if you don't have a passion for adult education and the impact that it has on students' lives and what, what is possible in our field then it's not for you. I mean, iif you just go to work and go to work and get a check, that's, this is not what you want to do. It's not that anything that you're gonna be required to do is just that tedious, but it is definitely something that is that you can't fake, you know, when you, when you're meeting with politicians or you're meeting with other people and you're asked to have the elevator speech about why you think adult education program is important. If it's not coming from the heart and it's not genuine, it's going to be sniffed out like a dog sniffing out fear. And that's not what we need to continue to move adult education forward. It's not going to be helpful to the, um, the field as a whole. And I really haven't met anybody like that in adult yet, but if you are that person, then this is not for you. And continue to collect your check and do what you need to do, but you know, this is, this requires another level of um. Of love for for your job, and if you don't have that, then this is not for you.
