[MUSIC PLAYING] KAY HARTLEY: Linda is a person who began her educational career in Adult Ed, and returned to Adult Ed as an instructor. And exemplifies the zeal that people have once they've been a part of an Adult Ed program, so we thought she would be an excellent representative. I'm just real impressed with somebody who continues to improve themselves and seek ways of being productive in spite of health issues. She could have stayed home and collected disability. 

LINDA BAILEY: After I received the GED, I drifted around because I still didn't know what I wanted to do. I didn't have any goals or any direction until 1976. I heard about a nursing assistant program at the Vallejo Adult School. So I took that class. I enrolled. And that was the best thing I ever did because it started a 30-year career for me. 

ANNE HABERSTOCK: Linda was-- she was the kind of student, the kind of person, who took the class seriously. But she was just basically the kind of person who saw what needed to be done and she did it. She was that way when she worked with the patients. She was that way with her fellow students. 

LINDA BAILEY: Anne Haberstock, my teacher, she actually taught me to believe in myself that I could do a good job. She had higher aspirations for me than I did for myself. But I enjoyed the class and I did well. I just zoomed on through. She was the first one that started me on my way. I learned professionalism for her. How to go in the white uniform and keep it white. 

[LAUGHS] 

And I just learned how to be a leader. How to take pride in my work, set my own standards and do a good job. 

ANNE HABERSTOCK: Calming influence and someone who shows everyone else how to do the job, and how to be a good student. How to be respectful to the teacher, which is wonderful. 

[LAUGHS] 

LINDA BAILEY: First you have to have the desire. You have to want to go to school. And you may not know what you want to do. But if you're willing and have the desire, there's people there that help you. Counselors, teachers, even people in the office. I mean, in adult education, the whole staff is supportive. I've never seen anything like it. 

My teacher, Lois Harian, when I went to the school-- the job paid me while I was in school, but they didn't pay for books or transportation. I had girlfriends. We were counting pennies for gas to get me to school. I went many days with no food. There was no money available. I came home, the lights was cut off. 

So that same lady, Lois Harian, she called me, she said, Miss Bailey. She said, what can I do? I say, you've done enough. You've got out of your bed and taken me to school. You're done. You're done. You're done. And she said, well Linda, she said, let me tell you this, Miss Bailey. She said, one day, you'll be able to give back. That stuck in my mind. Just those words she said. You will be able to give back. And you know what? I've been giving back ever since. 

JUANITA SMITH: As I've gotten to know Linda over the years, I am familiar with the path she had to walk. It was a struggle for her to get to where she is, and even to this day consider continuing her efforts to get her bachelor's degree. It's been a struggle because of illnesses, and money is always a factor for everybody. 

But she's a very persistent-type person. She has a goal, and she may run into walls, but she'll figure out a way to get around it or walk through it. And I think that she herself has given many people around her, especially younger people, the ability to see that, I can do this. I just have to find a way to do it. And if I stay on my journey, I can do it. And I think that's just Linda. That's who she is. 

MARGARET ROGERS: I am just delighted about her winning, but also about the fact that we are continuing to do this. And that we have so many success stories in adult education, and they're very different from one another. So having Linda's example of being steeped in Adult Ed from her finishing high school straight through her own career, I think is a shining example. So I'm really happy for her. 

LINDA BAILEY: I'm very humble and grateful for where I've been and the people that really inspired me to just go further. When I look at Anne today, she's, I mean, I actually had the opportunity to do what she did. She started me out, but I had a career doing it. I mean, it's just mind blowing. But I enjoy it, and I wish I could continue doing it, but I'm looking for the next phase of life. 

[LAUGHS] 

[MUSIC PLAYING]