TLA Team Spotlight: Mike Jackson

What is your name? Mike Jackson

What do you do and where? I am a site coordinator at the Summit PM and New Haven learning centers.

What brought you to The Literacy Alliance? I used to serve on the WorkINdiana Funding committee with my current supervisor Brian Schlichtenmyer (TLA’s COO). There was a common interest in adult education that I shared with Brian, and I sought an opportunity to step further into the adult education industry. After inquiring about position openings at TLA, I applied.

What is one thing you’ve learned from your students? I’ve learned that, in many ways, our students are more resilient than your typical, traditional high school/college student because our students must overcome much more challenging obstacles while in school, such as parenting, working a full-time job, fighting against statistical odds, coping with health and home environmental challenges, learning to heal and believe in themselves again after getting knocked down by life so many times, striving to be role models by breaking family curses, and still managing to maintain a positive attitude in the midst of all of these growth development challenges. It is incredible and humbling to see this, and, for this, I have the highest level of respect for and commitment to our students.

“I’ve learned that, in many ways, our students are more resilient than your typical, traditional high school/college student because our students must overcome much more challenging obstacles while in school…”

What would you tell someone thinking about signing up for our programs? I am convinced that there is no better way to achieve your HSE than with The Literacy Alliance. The kind of assistance, guidance and targeted attention students receive from our program is second to none. As both a staff member and a regular citizen, I truly believe that this is the ultimate environment for hands-on learning and obtaining the essential knowledge needed to take and pass the HSE exam.

What drives you to do what you do? There are many things, but, perhaps, my top 3 things are: seeing the successful results of our students, paying it forward in the name of honoring those who paved the way for me, and my moral and spiritual commitment to what I believe is my life’s purpose, which is to serve and uplift others.

Anything else you’d like to share? I’m grateful to be a part of The Literacy Alliance, and it is a joy to participate in making a significant, positive impact in our community.