It's not an easy feat for anyone to study and earn a high school diploma - let alone an expectant mother of two young children who was also employed full-time.  But that's exactly what Allegany County resident Paige Kline did. She enrolled in the ABE/HSE Program with Southern Tier Traveling Teacher, Inc. in July 2022.  She spent that time from July to January 2023 passing two of the four subjects toward her diploma.  In January she had a baby and after some recovery time, she put in some more hard work and passed the last two subjects - earning herself a diploma in July 2023.  To earn a High School Equivalency Diploma a student has to pass sub-tests in English, Math, Science and Social Studies.

Paige credits the flexibility of the program with part of her success.  As someone who has young children and works full-time, she needed the ability to have a flexible schedule with her tutor. In addition to the flexibility, Paige credits her tutor and the program for providing one-on-one educational services that allows students the opportunity to work at their own pace and spend extra time on material they may struggle with. She also appreciated the fact that she could access the program at no cost. As a grant funded program, the services offered by Traveling Teachers are free for enrolled students.

According to her tutor, Paige's positive attitude, perseverance, and ability to juggle a very full schedule made her a great student to work with. It does take self motivation and the desire to do the work and be successful in the program, and Paige was a star student, her tutor explained. 

Paige has been a Personal Care Aide for an elderly patient and her goal for 2024 is to enroll in a phlebotomy class.