Former asst. principal, teacher now helps older folks earn GEDs, diplomas 7/11/2009 12:24 AM
By ROB NOVIT Senior writer
For more than two decades, Dr. Rosa Ishmal worked in a high school setting as a teacher and assistant principal.
In recent years, she has served as a coordinator for the Aiken County School District's Office of Federal Programs. In late June, the Board of Education appointed Ishmal as the new adult education director.
"I'm very excited about joining the adult education staff," she said. "It will allow me to reconnect with high school students and others who are older. My goal will be to foster an atmosphere for those who have dropped out of school. I want them to earn a diploma or a GED. In the workforce today, that's essential."
Ishmal grew up in Aiken County and continues to live in the Beech Island area with her husband, Earl Ishmal Jr. Their son, Earl III, is the Wagener-Salley High School assistant principal.
Rosa Ishmal attended Jefferson Elementary School and graduated from Jefferson High School.
"I enjoyed it," she said. "It was like a family at Jefferson from grades 1-12. I had great teachers the entire time."
Legendary educator Abelle Palmore Nivens was Ishmal's first-grade teacher. The child wanted to be just like her and decided that year that she would become a teacher, too.
Ishmal got additional support and encouragement from other teachers along the way - the Rev. Nathaniel Irvin and Oscar and Raubena Kemp. Her home economics teacher, Eddy Fennell, encouraged Ishmal to attend college. She went on to S.C. State University as a home ec major. She later earned a master's degree, an education specialist degree and a Ph.D., all from S.C. State.
During a 32-year career in Richmond County, Ishmal taught at Laney High School for 13 years and remained there as assistant principal for nine years. She served as principal of Jamestown Elementary School in Hephzibah from 1993-2001 and spent two years as the Glenn Hills Middle School principal in Augusta before her retirement.
Ishmal then joined the Aiken County School District as a Title I coordinator. For the past three years, she has served as a Title II coordinator work with staff development for new teachers coming into the district.
"It's been great, meeting and working with new teachers," Ishmal said. "Hopefully, we've done something to get them on the right track and help them discover gifts to give to our young people."
The district's adult education is a large part of the overall system, with 1,350 people actively working toward a diploma or GED and hundreds more taking classes. Many have gotten at least 12 hours toward those objectives.
"That is an amazing number of people, and it's exciting to see them get those opportunities," said Ishmal. "I met an older gentleman... who is working toward his GED. We have older citizens who are interested in coming back into adult education for self-improvement and basic skills."
While she's facing a bit of a learning curve, adult education isn't new to Ishmal. Earlier in her career she taught an evening program in Augusta through Job Training Employment Act. She provided employment skills for young people who needed direction to help them redirect their lives. Many went on to receive GEDs or diplomas and went into the workforce.
As she looks back on her work as an educator, Ishmal considers the years spent as an assistant principal especially meaningful.
"I was trying to help at-risk kids become the best they could be," she said. "I feel I've touched many lives over the years. When I go to Augusta, I always run into students who are successful."
Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.
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