Ponoka Learning Centre’s Sharon Schwab has been honoured by the Community Learning Network for her tireless dedication to local adult learning.
Schwab, the centre’s adult learning coordinator, was awarded at the recent Literacy and Learning Symposium in Edmonton.
The network has been presenting the Adult Learning Award since 1996.
She was nominated by former colleague Jaime Goudreau-Riopel, plus letters of reference were supplied by her colleague Nicole Braim, Ponoka Library Assistant Manager Janice Baron, and Andrew Jones, the town’s manager of parks, recreation, and facilities.
“It was a total surprise and shock — I had no idea I was nominated!
“The chair of the board announced it. Again, I was shocked, surprised, and in awe,” she added with a laugh.
Schwab noted that in her acceptance speech, she mentioned how all of her colleagues are worthy of the recognition as well.
“I have not met anyone from this society who is not doing the same things that I’ve been doing,” she said.
“But I’m thankful. I also brought up my first recollections of starting, and hearing a little phrase that goes like this — ‘any door is the right door’. I took that expression to heart.
“Anybody who comes into our centre, it’s the right place for them. I will find out how to help them, what to do, and how to steer them — those kinds of things. I also have to go and walk through other people’s doors and build those friendships and relationships. It’s all about opening those doors.”
Those thoughts were all the more fitting as the theme of this year’s symposium was The Power of Community, she said.
“Community is awesome. And I’m just so happy with how things are going here.”
Schwab’s background is in education — she was a teacher for more than 20 years.
“I decided to retire, but I guess I’ve got the bug. At the time I was living in Leduc, and I had heard there was a course for teaching English to newcomers in Edmonton. I took that and found it very informative and interesting.
“I then did some work for the Edmonton Mennonite Community Network, who do a lot of work with newcomers, including an English learning school. And then I came back to Ponoka.
“They were looking for an adult learning coordinator and I thought that might fit! I had the interview and it sounded like something I would enjoy. Luckily, they thought I fit the bill,” she explained.
Ever since she has found her work to be a constant source of joy and fulfillment.
“The wonderful people that you meet, my goodness. And the stories — you hear about the difficulties that they have had to overcome just to get here, never mind with learning the language,” she said, referring in particular to her work with newcomers to the community.
“Their struggles are so real even before they set foot in the door. I also don’t think there is ever a class where I don’t learn something new either.
“Every person has a set of knowledge that they come here with. And so it’s reciprocal — I might be teaching them English, but they are teaching me new things about different parts of the world,” she said.
“It’s a learning experience that runs both ways.”
The Ponoka and Rimbey Adult Learning Centre was launched in the early 1980s.
Ultimately, Schwab said their mandate through Advanced Education is to provide literacy, numeracy, and digital skills along with skills for success at work.
There are courses to help folks bolster their reading and writing skills. Also, extensive courses in computer skills are offered throughout the year as part of that mandate, she said.
There is also a full lab where the licensed practical nursing program takes place.
As to the award, Schwab emphasized how humbling it is to be recognized in such a way.
“When the full extent of it hit me, I thought this is really something. I had to ask how many recipients were there, as I thought I was one of many. And they said it was just me. So it’s a great honour and it’s very humbling.”
Ultimately, her passion for what she does today is fuelled by her life-long passion for education in general.
“It opens many doors. I think that it builds up a person in every way.
“This is why I love being where I’m at now, too. It’s about building those connections and having the ability to feel some sort of connection with anybody from anywhere and learning at the same time.
“I also hope our centre feels like a place you can start at. Walk through the doors, ask questions, and we will help you find what you need. However it works for you, we are ready to help.”