"Mommy, we go to school. You go to school. Hurry up and get out of school," were the words of encouragement to Susan Robinson from her three daughters, Cynthia, Sydney and Brittany, ages four to eight, recently.
Robinson, a single mother from Johnson City, is enrolled in an 18-month Automotive Technology program at the Tennessee Technology Center at Elizabethton. She has aspirations well beyond her graduation in April 2006. "In 10 years, I hope to open my own automotive repair shop."
The Johnson City Adult Education Center at Keystone School has played a key role in Robinson's education, thus far. It was Katy Hardeson, GED instructor at the center, who gave Robinson the encouragement and mentoring to prepare for the GED Test.
"I dropped out of high school at age 17 while I was living in Kentucky. I worked toward my GED, off and on, for six years until I found the right combination, Ms. Hardeson and learning, and buckled down."
After receiving her GED, high school equivalency diploma, Robinson enrolled at TTC-Elizabethton in October of 2004. What does she like about the program? "Students are allowed to work at their own pace…as fast or as slow as they want. You are required to read 13 chapters of the textbook before you can work on an engine," Robinson said.
Already, she has learned how to disassemble an automobile engine and put it back together. Presently, she is learning how to perform front-end alignments. The study of transmissions and the fuel tank system are next.
"It is hard being a mother, taking care of your children, and going to school at the same time," Robinson said. Thus far, she has successfully balanced a busy work schedule at home with her 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily school schedule, although, it has been difficult at times, especially when one of her children gets sick.
What do her children think about their mother one day being an automotive mechanic? "They think it is cool," Robinson said. Her mother, Charlene, and stepfather, Marty, of Johnson City agree. Most of all, her parents say they are pleased their daughter has found a career and the training necessary to be successful in life.