Georgia’s Department of Community Supervision (DCS) has awarded Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) Adult Education instructor Angie Purcell their 2016 Community Service Award for the state of Georgia. After 16 years of helping adults across Northwest Georgia earn their GED diplomas, Purcell is now also being honored for her work with the Daily Reporting Center (DRC) in LaFayette, Georgia.
The DRC works with adult students who are on probation for substance abuse-related offenses. "It's a great first step toward a better life," said Ms. Purcell of helping DRC participants in preparing for GED® examinations. "I have a passion for connecting with students and helping them make better choices to have a brighter future. Helping these men and women get their lives together by earning their education is just an obvious choice for me."
Ms. Purcell and GNTC Adult Education began partnering with the DRC in 2013. After seeing the progress and impact Purcell was making on those taking her courses, the Chief Probation Officer for the Walker County, Georgia office of the DCS, Charles (Bo) Payton, nominated Purcell to win the local level of the award. Over the past three years, Purcell has led 15 students to their GED diplomas, as well as 28 others who have completed different sections of the GED examination. “I also had another GED class I taught in LaFayette in the past that saw many additional GED students earn their diplomas as a result,” added Purcell.
As a result of the nomination, and her work in 2016, Ms. Purcell took home top honors for the district (District 7). And now, Purcell has also claimed top honors statewide. A ceremony held November 16 at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC) in Forsyth, Georgia would be where Ms. Purcell would learn of the honor and receive her award.
Ms. Purcell specially designs classes for each student with the DRC, as well as her other programs. "I pour myself into my students," said Ms. Purcell. "They know how invested I am in their success and they give it back.” Purcell also teaches students at the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Center every week. The center is part of Walker State Prison in Rock Spring, Ga.
For more information on Ms. Purcell’s story, or the classes offered to DRC enrollees, you can contact Purcell at the Daily Reporting Center Monday-Thursday afternoons at 706.638.7703.