Southwest Riverside Adult Education’s faculty and staff are dedicated to helping guide students towards a better future
Adult students face adult struggles: Work schedules, affordable childcare and financial hardship are just some of those obstacles. But at Southwest Riverside Adult Education (SRAE), dedicated staff and teachers are there to meet students where they are with support and an education tailored to fit their life.
Support inside and out of the classroom
For many immigrant parents, their children are often the ones speaking for the family. Whether it’s for school, medical appointments or asking questions at the supermarket, English-speaking, second-generation kids bear a heavy load as translators. It’s a dynamic Yolanda Gomez recognizes from first-hand experience and—as the adult education community outreach liaison at Hemet Adult School—it’s something she’s dedicated to helping families overcome.
“You don’t quit, we don’t quit. We got you. We’re going to walk with you every step of the way. We’re going to get you there.”
Yolanda Gomez, Adult Education Community Outreach Liaison, Hemet Adult School
“Their kids will have more opportunities because their parents now have more opportunities themselves,” she says. “The better equipped they are, the more informed and educated they are, and the better they can be part of the community. Then we all benefit because we’re stronger as a community. It’s about quality of life, not only for themselves, but the community as a whole.”
Throughout SRAE, dedicated staff and educators support students navigating obstacles inside and out of the classroom. Gomez says she sees many students struggling with childcare, food insecurity, housing, transportation and more. As she sees it, her job is to help students build a secure foundation so they can get an education and improve their lives. And she’s good at her job: Gomez was named Classified Employee of the Year for the 2024/2025 school year.
“I treat them as I would want anybody to treat my mom and dad, my siblings, my cousins, anybody who is struggling. I treat others as I would like my loved ones to be treated,” she says. “You don’t quit, we don’t quit. We got you. We’re going to walk with you every step of the way. We’re going to get you there.”
The most rewarding part of her job, she says, is seeing students’ transformations. Many come in feeling embarrassed or discouraged, but that changes through hard work, perseverance and support from people like Gomez.
“What you’re feeling as far as guilt and shame, all that is normal. I can assure you everything that you’re feeling, every single student that started felt it too,” she says. “Whatever has happened in the past, it’s done … you get to determine for yourself what your tomorrow looks like.”
Finding the right balance
As lead teacher at Temecula Valley Adult School, Chris Rivard is a jack-of-all-trades, teaching general education—math, history, English, science and more—to adult students earning their high school diplomas. For the past 23 years he’s helped mold the minds of elementary school kids, and says the move to adult education has been an amazing change for him.
“It’s a joy to work with such a wide range of ages and backgrounds.”
Chris Rivard, Lead Teacher, Temecula Valley Adult School
“We have people in their 30s and 40s, even a 66-year-old lady taking classes, just doing the best she can to knock out a class at a time,” he says. “It’s a joy to work with such a wide range of ages and backgrounds. This is a complete 180 and I just welcomed it with open arms.”
Rivard says one of the biggest obstacles many students face is having too many responsibilities on their plate: Work, family and school are a challenge to balance. He also understands it takes courage for people to come back to school. He encourages them to be persistent and patient with themselves.
“It’s like anything in life—whether it’s a diet or an exercise program—it’s tough,” he says. “You may not be able to do the courses as quickly as you would like … but you will get there, and at the end you’re going to be able to get that promotion or a better job.”
Rivard says the type of opportunities adult schools provide are vital for students looking to take those next steps in life, whether it’s to enroll in college, find new career opportunities or set the best example possible for their families.
“The adults that truly want to complete their diploma—they want to take the next steps in their life but they’re being held up because they don’t have this diploma—are truly motivated,” he says. “They work hard and it’s very gratifying for me to watch them cross the finish line and accomplish something meaningful.”
For more information on how Southwest Riverside Adult Education can help you achieve your goals, or to find a member school near you, visit sradulted.org.
Written by Anne Stokes
| Regions | Classes & Topics |
|---|---|
| Southern California | Variety of Classes |
