Tonya Wilson of Portageville, Mo., is an elementary education major with a concentration in social studies. She graduated from high school in 1993, and has attended the Crisp Bootheel Higher Education Center in Malden for three years.
As a non-traditional student, Wilson is not only concerned with her grades and academic performance, but also with her family responsibilities.
“I have two children, Lawton, 8 and Corlie, 6. My husband and I own a trucking company, and I do all the paperwork for that. I am also a Daisy Girl Scout Leader.”
Tonya says convenience and comfort were enormous factors in choosing to return to college.
“The CBEC is wonderful. I would not have gone back to school if not for the CBEC. I would not have been able to. This center provides a quality education for those who cannot drive to Cape,” she said. “It is close to my home and I like the close-knit environment. It seems like the staff and I are just one big family.
“I really have liked all of the professors. My favorite instructor is Mrs. Susan Reinagel. She goes out of her way to make sure that all of her students succeed. I feel that we are getting as good an education, if not better, from her classes. I feel very prepared to go out into the field and teach a lesson. This all comes from everything that she has taught us.”
Tonya adds that interactive television courses (ITV) are very valuable for non-traditional students who often need to be close to home.
“I am taking three ITV courses this summer. I think they are wonderful,” she said. “These courses provide people like me the opportunity to complete the courses needed for their degrees.”
After graduation, Tonya plans to find a job and begin work on a master’s degree in special education.