A national professional organization of adult educators has honored Mayor Dan Champagne with its Friend of Adult Learners Award.
COABE, which represents 82,000 adult educators across the nation, announced its award winners this week, which is Adult Education and Family Literacy Week. Melissa Iles, the director of Vernon Regional Adult Based Education, presented the award to Mayor Champagne on Thursday. He will be honored at October’s Board of Education meeting.
Iles, who was selected to lead VRABE in January 2022, said she was immediately struck by the mayor’s support of adult education and his sincerity when speaking at the annual VRABE graduation.
“He genuinely enjoys attending VRABE graduation and honoring the hard work of the graduates who often have to overcome barriers to complete their education,” Iles said. “It’s a joyous night for the graduates and their families, and Mayor Champagne gets that and appreciates it. His support for these students and other adult learners is palpable and we are grateful for that.”
Each year, Mayor Champagne tells the graduates that VRABE graduation is one of his favorite events of the year because of what they have achieved, what it represents, and what it means for their lives going forward.”
“It’s a big decision to go back to school,” Mayor Champagne said. “Each student in that program had an obstacle in front of them, and each student overcame that obstacle. That is pretty special.”
He also praised the teachers and staff who support the students through competition of their degrees.
“The teachers and the entire staff support them and keep them going and motivate them,” he said. “That is critically important. The teachers and staff are the heroes in this process.”
Vernon Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph P. Macary said Mayor Champagne’s enthusiasm for adult education matches his commitment to the Vernon Public Schools.
“It shows the type of community we have in Vernon when the mayor is recognized as a friend of adult learning,” Dr. Macary said. “We truly have a community that embraces the value of learning for all ages. Dan Champagne is an advocate for all learners, including adults.”