Michelle’s Story

It’s never too late to improve your education and increase your career opportunities.  After leaving high school in grade 11, Michelle Snook worked for many years as a home care worker. 

In 1999, Michelle’s fiancé was diagnosed with a degenerative eye condition that would limit his ability to work.  Michelle, a mother of four, knew that she would have greater responsibility to support her family financially and that she needed to find stable and better paying work.  To do that her first step would be to get her grade 12 diploma.

When Michelle signed up for a family literacy class she discovered she had a learning disability.  Unsure if she could succeed in the literacy class she dropped out.  Thanks to her determination and her husband’s support and encouragement, she re-enrolled a short time later.

Michelle successfully completed a family literacy course and is now taking an Adult Learning Program at the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC).  She has maintained a high average at a grade 12 academic level and was recently elected Vice President of student activities at NSCC’s Truro Campus.  “I’m taking the academic level not because I have to, I’m taking it to prove that I can to it.” 

Michelle really enjoys helping new Adult Learning Program (ALP) students with learning disabilities adjust to being back in school.  She has also worked hard to raise the profile of the adult learning program within her NSCC campus and to involve other ALP students in campus activities.

Outside of school Michelle is very active in her community and has received awards and acknowledgements for her outstanding volunteer work, which includes providing Christmas gifts for less fortunate families, food and supplies for the local food bank, professional and winter clothing for needy NSCC students, and opportunities for other women to improve their literacy skills.

Michelle’s goals are to graduate from her ALP course and pursue of a career in Health and Human Services. “My confidence in myself and my abilities has grown and I know that my life will be improved through education.”