Success Stories

From Drop Out
to GED Instructor

Hello, my name is Rina Michelle Puente and I reside in Crystal City, Texas. In 1999, I was suppose to graduate from high school, but trials and tribulations of life came knocking at my door. Like many other students at the time, I found that I became pregnant and made that life changing decision to drop out of high school. I went up north to Minnesota two months before graduation and decided to work at a factory because I thought that I would not be able to support my child with a high school diploma. That was my state of mind and that of my mother so it did not seem like the wrong decision at that time. None of my other family members graduated from high school so it did not make a difference. I have five sisters. My two oldest sisters dropped out of high school as well, so it didn’t seem that outlandish of an idea that I would follow in their footsteps.

I came back to Crystal City from Minnesota so I could have my son in a small town. After I had my son I found myself working at a local factory, but with time I realized that I needed to do something different with my life. A friend of mine was already attending the Even Start Program and told me a little about the services that they provided, so I decided to check it out. I decided to nonchalantly pick up some information, which in itself was the most positive life changing decision I decided to make. I was surprised at the positive attitude everybody had and very surprised because I was of very bad and strong character that I thought they would turn me away, but now I understand that their comprehension of my situation in life was the key to their understanding. They immediately began to refer me to different resources available that could accommodate me in attending classes. They helped me so much.

I began attending classes and after three months I obtained my GED. Within the three months that I attended I received many different classes on parenting, since I was a single parent. I decided to bring my mother and my sisters that did not graduate so that they could have the same opportunities that I did and also because I knew that the Even Start staff would welcome them with open arms. I also learned many different life skills, job readiness, and child-parent interaction skills and how important the time you spend with your child’s education is. I did not want the cycle to continue so I decided to take all the advice given to me and use it in combination with my maternal instincts.

After I got my GED, I was advised to attend college. The Even Start staff assisted in filling out the proper paperwork needed to enroll in college. So everything was set and I began college a few months after I obtained my GED. One day I went back to visit the staff at the Even Start Program and Even Start Coordinator Anita Balderas asked me if I was working and told me about a job opening at a School District daycare facility. I went to apply and enforcing all the job training skills learned at the Even Start Program, I got the job and began working there. I worked at the facility for about 11 months. All this while, I was still attending college classes. While working there I heard of an opening at one of the collaborative programs of the Even Start Program as a GED Instructor, so I in turn decided to apply. The daycare facility paid me more than the ABE Program was offering, but I decided to take the job anyway, only because I saw how much this program changed my life and I wanted to make sure that I made a difference as well. Those are the types of ideas that this program has instilled in me.

I began working as a GED instructor in 2001 and I am still working with them still this day. I greatly appreciate everything the Even Start Program did for me. I am very involved in my child’s education and my own as I am still at this time attending college and working for my Bachelor’s Degree in Education. I can clearly say that I do not know where I would be if the Even Start Program had not guided me. As cliché as it sounds, it is the GOD honest truth. I appreciate every opportunity presented to me and now I can truly say the future looks brighter for me and my 6 year-old son.