Don't Forget Your Why
Mercedez Butts, Founder & Chief Executive Officer at Joyce's Legacy Learning Center
Why are we doing what we do?
Most of us didn't choose adult education because it was easy. We chose it because we believe in people. We believe in second chances. We believe education can change the direction of someone's life.
When learners first walk through our doors, they're usually motivated. They're excited. They're ready for a fresh start. But then life happens. Work happens. Children happen. Bills happen. Setbacks happen.
That's why I believe motivation isn't enough.
My passion is for me, but my purpose is for others. The same is true for our learners. If we only help them stay motivated, they'll struggle when motivation fades. But if we help them discover their “why,” they'll have something deeper to return to when the journey gets difficult.
In this interactive session, I'll share how Joyce's Legacy Learning Center helps adult learners identify, revisit, and stay connected to their "why" throughout their educational journey. Participants will leave with practical coaching conversations, reflection activities, and simple tools they can immediately use to help learners build resilience, strengthen persistence, and remember that earning a GED isn't just about a diploma. It's about finishing the story they started and creating a better future for themselves, their families, and their communities.
