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Thomas “TeeJay” Burden III Graduation Highlight
Contributed by Adult Education College and Career Navigator Allison Brady
MOORHEAD, Miss. (August 12, 2022) –TeeJay Burden had always been a high-achieving student. However, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and his school’s adoption of virtual learning, TeeJay began to become disengaged in his education. TeeJay expressed that he felt like he did not learn anything throughout his virtual learning experience. Unfortunately, things did not improve for TeeJay once school re-opened. He felt uncomfortable at school with the lack of COVID-19 precautions being taken and began to miss school consistently. Ultimately, TeeJay ended up withdrawing from school and looking for an alternative learning environment.
As a result, TeeJay enrolled in the Adult Education (AE) program at Mississippi Delta Community College (MDCC) on the Greenwood campus in March 2022. Throughout his time in Adult Education, TeeJay’s instructors were responsive to his individual needs and worked with him at the pace that was most appropriate for him. He is thankful that they gave him all of the information and study materials needed, which put him in a position to succeed. Through MDCC Adult Education, he was able to complete SmartStart and learn key employability skills, earn a Gold on the National Career Readiness Certificate, and ultimately pass all four parts of the GED exam and receive his High School Equivalency diploma in April 2022.
Additionally, while enrolled in Adult Education, TeeJay was approached by the College and Career Navigator when he met the qualifications to be a part of the Mississippi Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (MIBEST) program. The MIBEST program, funded through a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, allows adult education students to start taking college-level courses in a career-technical field while still working towards their High School Equivalency. MIBEST also provides wraparound services, such as school supplies, GED test vouchers, and transportation support to students. Through MIBEST, TeeJay will be starting classes in Automotive Mechanics Technology in Fall 2022 with the goal of ultimately earning his Associate of Applied Science degree from Mississippi Delta Community College. He is excited to study Automotive Mechanics Technology because it is a high-demand field that will provide a living wage and a promising career. He also loves that the automotive field offers life-long learning opportunities as the industry constantly evolves. TeeJay’s passion for cars and his work ethic will undoubtedly help him to flourish as he enters this next chapter of his educational journey.
If you or someone you know is looking to complete their high school diploma, Mississippi Delta Community College’s next Adult Education registration will be held August 15th-August 18th from 8:15 am-3:00 pm daily. Prospective students can register at MDCC’s Moorhead campus, the Greenville Higher Education Center (GHEC), or the Greenwood Center. Students must be at least 16 years old and have a valid state-issued photo ID.
For additional information on Adult Education registration, please contact MDCC’s Director of Adult Education Christopher Lee at (662) 246-6572. For additional information on the MIBEST program, please contact College & Career Navigator Allison Brady at (662) 246-6408.