When Michael Johns began pursuing his GED diploma at Georgia Northwestern Technical College he says he was just doing it for himself. In the process he became the statewide EAGLE representative for the State of Georgia and then went on to earn a scholarship as a Construction Management major at GNTC. Today, he owns his own construction business in Calhoun.
“When I went to school, I was scared at first but once it began I started believing I could do this,” said Mr. Johns. “Once I really saw what it was about, I enjoyed it, and the more I went the more fun I had at school.”
Mr. Johns was the recipient of the statewide Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education Award in 2009. The EAGLE Awards program was the first Adult Education statewide effort in the U.S. to turn the spotlight on successful adults using the local adult education programs to improve their lives through learning.
“A lot of times I’d stay over and help people in class. I loved to work with people and I think that’s one of the reasons they elected me for the EAGLE Award,” said Mr. Johns. “I love to help people and I like to see people happy and it’s the same with my customers in my construction work.”
As a Construction Management major, Mr. Johns was awarded the Helen and Vernon Crawford Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to students who have completed the GED program and have elected to continue in secondary education.
The Helen and Vernon Crawford Scholarship is named for the couple who first began their work in literacy at Literacy Action, the largest community based adult basic education provider in Georgia, and soon became strong advocates for advancing the literacy of anyone who wished to learn to read.
“After I got my GED I wanted to get my diploma in Construction Management,” said Mr. Johns. “I had already worked in that field a little bit and so I said ‘this is what I want to do because I enjoyed it.”
According to Donny Holmes, director of the Construction Management program at GNTC, Mr. Johns was one of those people that always went above and beyond.
“There was a time we were building a garage for a person in Calhoun and Michael even brought some of his own equipment to help make it work and he didn’t get paid a dime for it,” said Mr. Holmes. “He was a leader and he already had some experience so he would kind of try to help and encourage other students who maybe didn’t have as much knowledge in construction.”
Today, Mr. Johns owns Mike Johns Services and provides construction work in the North Georgia region and the surrounding areas.
“I always wanted to start my own business and the best thing about my job is it’s always something different,” said Mr. Johns. “Every day may be construction work, but it is always different.”
Mr. Johns says that anyone considering the GED program should simply believe in themselves.
“I got to know people, see different situations, and see other people reach their accomplishments,” said Mr. Johns. “It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life.”