How Jesuit Community College helped Celeste see herself as a "good mother, a good student and a good person"

Jesuit Community College student Celeste* was involved with the justice system and was enrolled in a course as part of her Community Corrections Order. She wrote to College staff to thank them for their support as she built self-esteem and pride through her experience of studying.

When you first came along, I’m sorry to say that I was one of the people that hated the idea and gave you such a hard time. Even though we were pretty nasty, you were so calm and kind, and never stopped explaining why you and the Jesuit [Community] College believe that learning is so important for everyone.  

I am so happy that you didn’t give up on me and I’m telling you this so you know that what you do is really important. I want to thank you for your persistence, kindness, intelligence and understanding.  

As you know, I never finished school, and when you met me I couldn’t stop talking, interrupting, arguing and creating drama and chaos in the class. I hated classes when I was a kid, so I sure didn’t want to have to do any more as a grown up. These were all bad habits I’d used at school many years ago and also in the prison system.

I’ve started now to understand many of the things we discussed in your class such as to ‘pick my battles’ and… I’ve learnt to try new things without arguing before I try it. I’m still fiery, but I have learnt to use strategies and think my reactions through before going off.  

I loved the start of class: ‘check your baggage’, and the end of session reflections activity we did every week. It took a while for me to stop complaining and ‘go with the process’ but now I’ve left and I’m keeping a gratitude journal as well as taking time at the end of each day to think of my “apples” and “onions” for the day. I get the kids to do this at the dinner table too and it’s become a way that we have started talking more positive together. Other things I really enjoyed the most were that you made maths fun (!!) and that I actually loved doing all those ‘increase your vocabulary’ activities. You are surely one of the most creative teachers I have ever had and it is because of you that I am confident for the very first time ever to help my children with their homework.  

I don’t feel like an idiot anymore when my kids are doing their maths or English or whatever homework, I just take a deep breath and act confident and give it a go and I know they are so happy to have me helping them now. I don’t feel stupid and I don’t feel like they think I’m stupid. Like you said, there’s nothing wrong with not knowing an answer, but just being there to help find it. It is the best feeling, being respected by my children and feeling useful and making them happy all rolled together – so good.  

So, before I get too emotional, I will say that I’ll never forget you and, though I’m sad to not see you again, I’ll always remember how you farewelled us when we finished, saying “I’ll miss seeing you in the class but I hope I never see you again”!  

When you said this we know that you care and you truly want us not to break the law again and end up back in your class (or prison) and you honestly want us to move, as you say, “inwards and outwards, onwards and upwards”.  

I followed some more of your advice and ‘kept the ball rolling’ ASAP by enrolling in the Jesuit Community College course you told me about – the Animal Studies course, and I’ve been going from the Mornington all the way to Brunswick and I’m loving it! Who would have thought when we first met that I could or would choose to study more? YOU – probably!  

I’m leaving this program so grateful to you and the Jesuit Community College – for having the faith in me to see that I could change and for helping me to believe that I could become three things I had long ago given up on being – a good mother, a good student and a good person.” 

Love and gratitude, from Celeste. 

*Name changed to protect identity