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Robin Phillips Assignment: The Learning Autobiography Formal and Informal Learning Date: August 26, 2010 I started my formal education in elementary school when I traveled with my parents. My father was in the United States Army, and I lived in Germany for three years. Then we moved to Japan where I lived for four years. The two things that stuck in my mind were the earthquakes we had every day and my dogs being very scared. I began junior high school in Colorado Springs, Colorado where I took the classes that were required.
I had a hard time with math and reading. I learned that I had dyslexia and had to be in special education classes. I had to learn by hands on and showing me how to do things over and over. This had to be done many times until I understood it . While in junior high the one thing stuck out for me, I was good in my choir class and every one liked hearing me sing. I could sing harmony while others sang in the background for me. High school was harder for me, as the classes became more difficult and I had to work really hard to get good grades, in order to pass them.
There was one teacher who helped me with my speech class and she would take time to listen to my speeches that I prepared. She always wanted to make sure I had the speeches timed down to the minute. Her name was Ms. Muto. Ms. Muto also helped me with my computer work, to make sure I understood how to write the programs on the homework that was given to me back in 1983. I went on to graduate form Apache Junction High School in 1985 and received my diploma from there. When high school was done I did different kinds of jobs but I never found anything that I was good at.
I worked in two different nursing homes, but I was too small of a person to lift people, so I quit. Also, I was not trained on how to handle elderly people. I mostly helped the LPN’s in what ever they needed done. My brother was a nurse and told me some of the things that I needed to know, but I never could understand what he told me. I started at Mesa Communityback in 1991. I started with lower grade classes first because I scored low when I took the placement tests that every student has to take before getting any of their classes. I worked my way up to the higher level of classes. here where many people who helped me on my learning journey at MCC. There was one person that always helped me get the classes I needed. Her name was Judy and she was a disability specialist. She always took special time with me and I will never forget her. Judy passed away in 2008 of breast cancer. I didn’t go every semester at MCC due to a illness that required me to have a hysterectomy at the age of 28. When I was well enough I started back at MCC. I took English 101 when I started back and I loved it because the instuctor who did the class gave everybody special time on all work.
I did take a communications class over because I failed it the first time. My instuctor Mr. Mancuso sat down with me and said ” you can do all the papers over and you will pass. I thanked him for being so kind to me. In May 2007 I graduated from MCC. I am the only one in my family that has a 2 year degee. In conclusion, I have had many challenges in my life and stuggles with education due to the disability that I have had to contend with all my life. I will work very hard to get this next degree at Ottawa because I want to help people with their problems, when I get this degee.