Helping Scott Hebert

by Irene Imbriaco

Scott and other students prepare for the CDL test. I thought that would be great. This was the first computer search I ever did.

Ihave been taking a class at the to take the test twice before I was While I was doing the research, Eastern Shore Community College issued a permit to drive a bus. I would another instructor, Mrs. Michele Adult Learning Center to better myself. study the parts in the manual and then Whittaker, stopped into class and It took me too much time to get here, visit someone with a truck to look asked me what was so intriguing on though I thought for many years that I under the hood to see what the book the computer screen. I brought her up needed help in basic skills. I was inse- had diagrammed. I would write the to date on Scott and told her what I cure when I first started school. I did- questions from the text several times to was looking for. Mrs. Whittaker said, n’t know how I could help myself let learn them. It was hard but I did it and “Give me some time to think about it. I alone help someone else to reach his still hold my CDL today. may be able to make a computerized goal. Maybe if I’d read an article like Scott went to the Virginia pre-test from the questions in the manthis, I would have gotten here sooner. Department of Motor Vehicles for his ual.” I told her I would like that very

Different people come to the com- CDL exam and failed it. He came back much and if she could have it for the munity college for different reasons: to to inform us that he didn’t pass the next day that would be great! Scott was get a GED, study for a driver’s license test. The teachers as well as the stu- coming in then and it would be a suror college entrance exams, write a dents at the Learning Center support prise. I was just joking, for I knew resume, prepare for work, and try one another. We were disappointed for what a busy schedule she had. hands on computer skills. A goal for Scott but encouraged him not to give But we have some really special me was to improve my people in the Learning computer skills. Center who are always A young man named Scott Hebert I was learning too. I was learning to see looking out for our good. In class the next morncame to The Adult ing, Mrs. Whitaker sent Learning Center to study for his Virginia things through someone else’s eyes. me a note with instructions to a program she Commercial Driver’s had made up on one of License (CDL). He the computers. Boy, was came faithfully twice a week. He would up on himself and his dream. Some I surprised! She even came into class take out the manual and get right to it. suggested he treat his first try like a that morning to help get us started. I could see that Scott had a strong pre-test. We said, “Stick it out a little Scott was very pleased with the prodetermination to possess a CDL, but longer. You have three quarters of the gram. He studied on the computer, and some days he had difficulty concentrat- test memorized and soon you can take the next time he took the CDL test he ing and understanding the terms in the the test over and pass it.” I told him passed it. We are all very happy for text. He would get frustrated. He was how I had to take the test twice before him. It is a good feeling, knowing you starting to put himself down and losing I was issued a permit to drive a bus. I have helped someone else reach his some of his confidence. I went to him wasn’t sure if we were getting through goal. The best part is it gave me a and said, “Why beat yourself up?” I to Scott and if he would be back in chance to pay back all the kindness told him that I had my CDL and, if he class or not. I hoped he would listen to that has been showered on me at the needed help, I would be willing to help us and keep trying. center. Scott taught me a new way to him in any way I could. We started to The next day I spoke to Mrs. study. It was a win -win situation for study the driver’s manual together, Maureen Dooley, an instructor, and everyone. every time he came to class. We talked told her what I was thinking. I believed about each part until he understood that Scott had an anxiety attack trying Irene Imbriaco is a student in the Adult the meaning. I was learning too. I was to make the transition from reading the Learning Center at Eastern Shore learning to see things through some- questions in the book to taking the test Community College. She is always one else’s eyes. on a computer. Mrs. Dooley suggested willing to assist her fellow students in

I could put myself in his shoes. I that I look on the Internet for a com- achieving their goals. had problems when I tried to get my puter program that she could purchase Editor’s note: This article first appeared in its origiCDL some twenty years earlier. I had for the Adult Learning Center to help nal form in the Eastern Shore News, Nov. 24, 2001.