Elena Stan
"I first joined Adult Education Wolverhampton's (AEW) Family Learning classes at my son's school and it seemed like a natural progression to continue my studies with them.
I am originally from Romania so I needed to develop my communication skills. This would enable me to live a fuller life here in the UK, giving me more opportunities to develop and integrate into the community and help me to develop further skills to better my chances of future employment.
Attending classes boosted my confidence and I started interpreting for fellow Romanians. This led to me enrolling on a 'Community Interpreter' course which helped me to gain the necessary skills to better help the community.
I have completed Maths, English, and Access to Higher Education and in September 2023 I joined a Parent Ambassadors course which helped me to secure a part-time position as a Parent Ambassador.
As a parent Ambassador, I not only work with parents but have started working with nursery and reception helping support both parents and children who have limited English. This has identified a need to further enhance my skills. In September 2024 I will be starting the Level 2 Supporting Teaching and Learning qualification with AEW. This will give me the knowledge and the skills to support teachers in the classroom.
Studying at AEW made a huge difference in my life. Learning has helped me to develop my communication skills and helped me to make friends and bond with people. It has helped me become proactive and my levels of confidence and self-esteem have grown which has enabled me to use my learning challenges not as obstacles, but as building bricks in the development of my future.
Learning has been everything, each step has developed who I am and brought me to the positive place I am today. Adult Education Wolverhampton is a special place, students are not just statistics but valued members of a learning community striving to improve their lives.
I continue to work as a Parent Ambassador in School and a Multiply Ambassador for AEW. I don't know what the future holds but I do know that my future employment will be a supportive role working to help better my community."