In 1976 I was a seventeen-year old attending Arizona Boys State at NAU to learn the intricacies of state government.  Each afternoon was dedicated to an elected guest speaker.  One in particular made an indelible impression on my soul – the legendary Arizona Superintendent of Public instruction, Carolyn Warner. 

Superintendent Warner began by comparing American education with that of Japan.  She opened with a phrase common to Japanese philosophy of education at the time, “All outstanding nails must be pounded down.”  She then explained the gauntlet of uniformity that each Japanese student was required to successfully navigate to ultimately procure a seat in a university.  Failure meant a permanent direction change.  Supt. Warner said that for all its weaknesses, our American education system is unique in offering multiple avenues for a second chance.  For example, a student could drop out of high school, yet at some point later in life have an epiphany.  They could then attend GED classes to receive a high school equivalency and resume their educational journey through community college, a university and graduate or professional school.   Our system is unique in that a high school dropout still has a shot at following their dream to become an engineer, or a teacher, or a doctor. 

I am a firm believer in second chances.  This has led to the creation of a robust Adult Education program in Globe and Payson and including classrooms in the San Carlos Detention Center.  I am now happy to announce, we are further expanding our GED High School Equivalency instruction to rural Gila County libraries beginning with Young, Hayden and Miami, utilizing a distance learning instructor, model and platform.  Once we are successful, we will expand to other county libraries as well. 

Need a second chance?  Call the Gila County Adult Education Program, Payson at (928) 472-5284 or stop in at 105 E. Highway 260.

Roy Sandoval

Gila County School Superintendent