Pellissippi State GED recipient named region’s top adult learner

Libby Reed presented her newly earned GED diploma to her ailing mother as a Christmas present last year. Now Reed is one of Tennessee’s top adult students.

Reed earned her General Educational Development credentials from the Adult Education Program at Pellissippi State in November. She wrapped up the certificate and presented it to her mother, who is being treated for cancer, at Thanksgiving.

Reed was recognized July 12 as the Regional Adult Learner of the Year by the Tennessee Association for Adult and Community Education. She is one of six people to be considered later this year for the honor of the state’s top adult learner.

Reed, now 33, dropped out of high school during her senior year.

“I didn’t have much support for finishing school. I had fallen behind and didn’t have enough credits to graduate,” she said.

Two marriages, two children and several jobs followed over the next several years. Last year, her mother saw a notice about the Adult Education Program in the newspaper and urged her to work on her GED so she could get a high school diploma.

After being out of school for about 15 years, Reed enrolled in the GED class in November and said she “did very well” on the tests leading to the diploma.

Tamela Wheeler, Reed’s Adult Education instructor at the Magnolia Avenue campus, says Reed is an inspiration to those involved in adult education.

“Libby is an example that a student can obtain a GED after being out of school for several years,” Wheeler said. “Additionally, she obtained her GED while managing other responsibilities and a major family illness. Her success should be an inspiration to other students.”

“At least 50 percent of the adults who come through our doors have significant obstacles to overcome while pursuing their educational and career goals,” said Joan Newman, director of the Learning and Testing Center. “Just getting started is the hardest part. Libby has demonstrated that it can be done.”

Reed isn’t finished studying—she hopes to enroll in Pellissippi State’s Pre-nursing program. She wants to seek scholarship help and attend evening classes, possibly as early as this fall.

“I had lacked confidence in myself before. But my mother knew I could do this,” Reed said.

"Inside Pellissippi" is a bi-monthly electronic publication produced by the Community Relations Office for the faculty and staff of Pellissippi State Technical Community College, 10915 Hardin Valley Road, P.O. Box 22990, Knoxville, Tennessee 37933-0990. All suggestions and comments should be sent to Julia Wood (jwood@pstcc.edu).

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