Our Residents
HiSET – An opportunity for education and change
Misty Gilley dropped out of high school in the 10th grade and never looked back.
Until now, that is.
Gilley, 23 and the mother of three young children, made the turnaround in recent months and is finishing up courses needed to take the HiSET test, formerly known as GED or General Education Diploma. The new name stands for High School Equivalency Test and comes with a more challenging series of exams that includes math, science, social studies and English, which breaks down into reading and writing.
For Gilley, who lives at Springfield Housing Authority’s Pine-James Apartments, it’s another one of life’s mountains that she is determined to climb and conquer.
“I want to do better for my children. I want to finish school and get training so I can do something positive for myself,” Gilley said.
SHA resident Misty Gilley is working on her high school equivalency, and a better life.
Gilley is in good company in her classes at SHA’s Sullivan Apartments.
Every weekday morning, she joins a dozen or so other adults in the Deborah A. Barton Community Center classroom to work on the learning she needs to pass the tests. She is almost ready, thanks to her determination and guidance from HiSET instructor Sarah Carbone.
Carbone said the HiSET classes run at a few locations across the city, and are open and free to all, though there is a waiting list. She said the classes are a chance for many who left school as teens to get their lives on track. Students like Gilley are welcome, and a great fit, especially when it comes to attitude.
“I am really excited for Misty and the progress she has made towards getting her high school equivalency. It’s not an easy task to accomplish, and I have the utmost respect for anyone who takes the first steps in completing their education,” Carbone said.
“While in the program, Misty has had the opportunity to learn about the culinary program at HCC. I look forward to watching her continue her education after her HiSET and meeting all of her personal goals she has set for herself!”
Carbone said that in addition to the academic subject-related work, she and her staff also spend time working on the Microsoft Office Word, Excel and PowerPoint, email accounts and, of course, resume building and interview skills. When students are done with HiSET, they work on either applying for jobs, or getting ready for coursework at either Holyoke Community College or Springfield Technical Community College.
As HiSET instructor at SHA, Sarah Carbone guides many people towards certification, jobs and college.
“We consider this our transition program to get people ready to take the next step and move onto productive work or more formal education,” Carbone said.
Carbone is part of SHA’s Resident Services program, working with ESL/Computer Instructor Nathan Bench and English Tutor Christopher Trevethan.
SHA is able to provide the HiSET courses thanks to a state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education grant and in collaboration with STCC and HCC. Classes are given on the campuses and at other locations.
For students like Gilley, the classes offer the chance for life-changing opportunities, and she intends to take full advantage of that.
“I like this program. Sarah really helps me a lot,” Gilley said. “When I’m done, I want to get some training to go into the culinary arts field.”
She added, “I want to give my kids a better life than I had.”
