Speaker: Deanna Addis
What inspired you to become part of SAAEF?
Deanna Addis: Right, so what inspired me to become a safe as as an adult educator who is truly passionate about our mission of lifelong learning, it's important to me to always find new ways, um, to expand my skill set and my knowledge. And so by becoming a safe, I was able to do that while also advocating for something that I am extremely passionate about.
What were your biggest accomplishments during your SAAEF fellowship?
Deanna Addis: So I believe my biggest accomplishments during my safe fellowship, um, was just stepping outside of my comfort zone. I'm always somebody who likes to work behind the scenes and uh being a safe didn't allow me to do that. I had to reach out and I had to advocate to those that were in power and draw attention to myself. Um, I do believe that I was able to bring more awareness to COA throughout my, um, network of. Adult educators in West Virginia and also um able to bring awareness to the community, um, employers are stakeholders that adult education in West Virginia is working to meet workforce demands. We offer more than just the high school equivalency, um, we offer cer certificates and certifications that are bridging the skill gap, and those are all at no charge to the students themselves.
What would you like to say to someone in the field who is unsure if they have what it takes to be an advocate?
Deanna Addis: Um, what I would say to somebody who's unsure if they have what it takes to be an advocate is that anyone can be an advocate. It can take place in so many different forms and all you have to be willing to do is to share your knowledge, your passion, your commitment to the cause. Um, get out there and inform people.
