Blog
August 05, 2024

Student Spotlight: Overcoming Algebra – Carol Baraga

[This article was written by Intern Erika Scharf. She attends Oberlin College.]

Carol Baraga is not a know-it-all, but she does know a lot. 

Growing up, Carol liked school. She self describes as an easy learner, someone who could enjoy all the subjects.

But she had a wicked adversary: algebra. 

“I kept raising my hand because I didn’t understand. I was stuck really bad. I kept asking for help and they said ‘it’s in the book, just read the book.’ They just pushed me aside,” she said. “It made me so aggravated. I thought, I could have a job making money instead of doing this. So I quit.”

Her journey back to education came nearly 50 years later when someone she knew started studying at Seeds of Literacy. She had worked in an office for years, using the math skills she did know to work with stores’ monthly incomes and file taxes. She was smart and capable, and she knew it.

But something was bothering her—she still didn’t have a high school diploma. 

“I thought, I got to do this because it’s driving me crazy.”

FINDING SEEDS OF LITERACY 

When she heard that Seeds of Literacy was FREE 1-to-1 tutoring she didn’t hesitate to sign up. This was finally an opportunity to show that she could do it. 

“I made sure that both of my kids graduated from high school, and now this is my time!” Carol said. “I want this GED so badly. It will be a big deal to show that I am worth passing the GED.” 

REIGNITING CONFIDENCE 

Since starting at Seeds in March 2023, Carol has been working on the very thing that pushed her out of school in the first place: algebra. She knows that once she masters that, the other subjects will be easier for her. With the support of a tutor, Carol has been tackling math. 

“I feel more confident in what I’m doing because before I felt down, people were calling me stupid. I’m not stupid. I just need help with certain things; show me a couple times and then I’ll take off.”

Carol loves Seeds because of the flexible structure, support from the staff and tutors, and the convenience of the location. She brings her jovial attitude and bubbly personality to the classroom and the events she attends as a Student Ambassador.

Although Carol is normally all smiles, it hasn’t always been easy for her, especially with her MS. 

“When I left the hospital, I had to learn how to write again. Even talking to people, I had to learn how to do charades otherwise nobody’s going to understand what I’m trying to say,” she explains. “So I had a lot to overcome.” 

Carol says one of the best feelings is getting positive feedback from the tutors and staff like Chris Richards. “He tells me, all I get is good reports about you. You’re doing very excellent. Keep it up. You seem frustrated sometimes, but you just got to work a little harder at it. Just repeat yourself. Can’t get everything at the same pace at the same time.” 

LIKE MOTHER LIKE SON 

What’s even better is the support Carol gets from her son. When her boys were younger, she would buy them math workbooks to work on a year ahead every summer. She wanted them to be ahead of the game and practice their skills so they wouldn’t have to worry as they got older. In a true full-circle moment, as Carol encouraged her boys to work hard and study, they now encourage her. 

“I get so excited and I text my son. He keeps telling me, you’re doing so good. Mama, you’re doing great. I’m there for you.”

THE MOTIVATION  

Carol suffers no fools; she thinks that if she can do this, so can anyone. 

“Don’t give up,” she repeats. “People think it’s a waste of time because they don’t think they can learn anything. They think it’s a waste of time because they’re been out of school for a little while and don’t know how to pick back up. I’m 63 years old. If I can do it with my illness and everything I had, then you can do it. I mean, what do you got to lose? That’s what I kept saying to myself, what do I got to lose?” 

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It’s never too late to finish your education!