photos by Victoria Tinker
Shannon Madison hopes to get her GED after
dropping out of school when she was 13.
Most of the time, students want to be in the class
room because they want to move on, earn their GED and
make the right changes in their lives. There is a sense
of comradery; when one student passes a test, they all
celebrate and then everyone wants to pass because they
see what’s possible.
Dajen Green is in jail for drug charges and theft but
now he is on his way to earning his GED. He enjoys
math because of the numbers, he said. “ I’m tired of
this revolving door; I want to have options in life,” said
Green. “ Lauren has helped me a lot, in the examples she
gives, the attitude she has and the motivation she gives
me. She believes in m e.”
He plans to further his education after earning his
GED by going to CCC and getting an automotive degree.
Alan Coulter is 40 years old and got arrested for drugs
and alcohol but now as a student, he is headed in the
right direction. He wanted to set the record for getting
his GED the fastest. He’s passed everything minus math
but that won’ t stop him. He said that even though he
learned math in high school, most of the equations and
formulas don’ t look familiar.
“ Hell yeah, I haven’ t even finished it and I already
feel successful,” said Coulter. “ If I can do it, then these
other younger people can do it.”
For his future, he plans on taking automotive or weld
ing classes.
Shannon Madison is a student that has started from
the bottom and has only grown from there. She said
that her father never made her go to school, so she
was uneducated. Even with her struggles in math and
other subjects, Madison said, “ I try not to let fear stand
Students work hard in math class to earn their GED at the Clackamas County Jail.
in my way.”
Her self-confidence has gone up, she loves reading and
she has been successful with her education, especially
with the opportunity to spend one-on-one time with a
teacher. She plans to keep going to school and wants to
become a mechanic, working with race cars.
“ I’m glad they provide this class here,” Madison said.
“ A lot of people wouldn’t try to better themselves if it
weren’ t for this class.”
“ Hell yeah, ¡haven't finished
it and I already feel successful,
if I can do it, then these other
younger people can do it.”
-Alan Coulter
So far eight students have earned their GED, but the
goal before graduation is ten students.
Students can also take parenting and life skills classes
at the jail. Once they are released, they can continue
taking classes at the Transition Center to continue.
Jail is a different environment which is why Zavrel
said, “ You always have to come in ready for everything
and anything.” Although, even though these students
are in jail, they are still a part of CCC.
Alan Coulter is one of the oldest student in the
GED program at the age of 40.
Victoria Tinker contributed to this report.
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