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Educator devotes summer to seven online VGCC courses

This summer, Pattie M. Mildon became a believer in online education, specifically in classes she took through Vance-Granville Community College.

 

Ten years ago, Mildon, a southern Granville County resident, had given up a career in teaching, which she refers to as her “calling,” to take care of her ailing father and to work in real estate. She had been honored as North Carolina’s Young Educator of the Year in 1992, but now, she needed continuing education credits to regain her certification to teach. After searching online, she discovered VGCC’s online “Ed2go” courses . Mildon consulted with the state Department of Public Instruction about the types of courses she ought to take, and selected not just one or two but seven of the Ed2go courses. VGCC Computer Center coordinator Laura Peace, who administers the Ed2go program, had never seen a student take that many courses all at the same time.

 

“I had never done an online class before, so I hesitated,” Mildon recalled. “But I was blown away by the quality. The professors answer your questions quickly, even though they might be on the other side of the world. I have nothing but great things to say about Ed2go!” She added that the cost — $65 for each course — was very affordable, and compared favorably to every other online college alternative she checked. “I gave up my swimming pool over the summer and did nothing but work on these classes for six weeks,” Mildon said. She said that her husband and son supported her as she converted her bedroom into a full-time study. “That may seem crazy, but I had to be comfortable and uninterrupted. It was one of the most unique experiences of my life. Thanks to VGCC, I was able to get it all done in one summer.” In the end, Mildon was successful in passing all seven courses with flying colors: “Grammar Refresher,” “Response to Intervention: Reading Strategies That Work,” “Guided Reading: Strategies for the Differentiated Classroom,” “Beginning Conversational French,” “Solving Classroom Discipline Problems,” “The Creative Classroom” and “Understanding Adolescents.” She scored a perfect “100” on six of her final exams and a “97” on the other.

 

“The lessons were interesting and engaging,” Mildon said. “I’ve saved all my materials. I’ve told teachers and school administrators that VGCC and Ed2go is the way to go.” Mildon is now seeking a full-time teaching job while continuing to substitute in Granville County Schools. She believes that her online education will help her to compete in a tight job market and is already making her more sought-after as a substitute. “I’m dying to get back into the classroom and use what I’ve learned,” Mildon said.

 

VGCC offers courses through Ed2go not only for educators but also for adults with a wide range of career and personal interests. Each qualifying course earns the student 2.4 continuing education units (CEUs). For more information, go to www.ed2go.com/vgcc or call Laura Peace at (252) 738-3417.  

 

Above: Pattie Mildon proudly holds the seven certificates she received for completing seven online continuing education courses at VGCC through the Ed2go program. (VGCC photo)