A Day in the Life
A Day in the Life shares stories from faculty, students, and APEP Student Assistants. These stories aim to give insight into APEP: how it works, and how it impacts participants.
Professor Donna Hare (FYI 101, Fall 2022)
Working with the students at EMCC has been a rewarding and fulfilling experience. Every morning my students are excited to learn and are ready to jump into the day's topic. The level of preparedness and enthusiasm at 8:30 in the morning has been unparalleled. Not only are they doing the work, but they are making daily connections within their classes and their personal lives.
It's been said more than once in class that these classes are like therapy; a way for them to think through the choices they've made and understand how to make stronger choices in the future. Topics like growth and fixed mindsets were a way for them to see through the mental blocks they've fought since early childhood. Discussing the "Allegory of the Cave" brought insights as to what these classes are freeing them from and inspired a duty to share this knowledge with their friends and family. When we teach these classes, we aren't just teaching individuals, but we're teaching whole communities!
Even simple ideas like identifying academic writing myths have helped crumble huge barriers that once prohibited my students from feeling like their voice had meaning. They are now excited to cull through sources to find ideas that clarify the world around them and to see that quality sources are also echoing their ideas. There is a newfound freedom in being able to respond to writing prompts--not to mention how much their writing skills have grown in just two months!
This program has been a source of reinvigoration for me. Getting to see my students makes the extra commute and breaking through the red tape 100% worth the effort. I leave each class inspired by these men and what they can accomplish. It brings hope that they will beat the odds of recidivism and move forward to make a positive impact in the world outside those barbwire walls."