The following item was provided by Georgia Northwestern Technical College for publication. – KtE
Karen Craven, lead teacher and site manager for Adult Education in Floyd County, was named Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s (GNTC) Adult Education Teacher of the Year for 2024. She also received the award in 2023.
Craven characterized Adult Education as “the best of traditional schools, home school and individual tutoring.” She said Adult Education provides the structure, rigor and academic skills offered by traditional schools, as well as the flexibility, efficiency and social benefits offered by home school.
“Like home school, Adult Education can provide the flexibility of class schedules and delivery methods,” she said. “Each Adult Learning Center can adjust the class offerings to meet the needs of the students in the local area.”
GNTC’s Adult Education faculty and staff can listen to the challenges that students face and adjust their schedules accordingly to lessen the burden for students who feel they must choose between school, work and family.
Craven will be recognized as GNTC’s Teacher of the Year at the 2024 Dinah Culbreath Wayne EAGLE Leadership Institute state competition on March 25-27, 2024, at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia. One instructor from Georgia’s 22 technical colleges will be selected as the Technical College System of Georgia’s (TCSG) Office of Adult Education Outstanding Teacher of the Year during a special recognition dinner.
“The Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award identifies teachers that inspire students of all backgrounds and incorporates innovative and effective lesson strategies,” Lisa Shaw, vice president of Adult Education at GNTC, said. “Karen works hard to ensure she provides quality instruction that meets the needs of each student. Teaching is her passion, and she strives to bring out the best in every student.”
Craven began teaching Adult Education as a substitute teacher 17 years ago and then moved into a full-time position 12 years later. She said she homeschooled all six of her children.
The Adult Education program offers instruction in Adult Learning Centers throughout its nine-county service area. Instructional areas include preparation for the Georgia High School Equivalency (the GED® test or the HiSET® exam), Adult Secondary Education, Adult Basic Education and English as a Second Language.
Centers have modern computer labs, study materials, resources and professional staff for both day and evening programs. Distance Learning options are also available.
Classes operate year-round and are offered at no cost. GNTC is an official GED® Testing Center and a site for computer-based GED® Testing in partnership with Pearson VUE, GED® Testing Services and the Technical College System of Georgia. For more information, contact GNTC’s Office of Adult Education at 706-295-6976.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College provides quality workforce education to the citizens of northwest Georgia. Students have the opportunity to earn an associate degree, diploma or a certificate in aviation, business, health, industrial or public service career paths.
This past year, 11,601 people benefited from GNTC’s credit and noncredit programs. GNTC has an annual credit enrollment of 8,071 students and an additional enrollment of 3,530 people through adult education, continuing education, business and industry training and Georgia Quick Start. For more information about GNTC, visit us at www.GNTC.edu. GNTC is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia and an Equal Opportunity Institution.
