Members of the school district and community turned out in force last week to honor adult educator Mary Koscinski. The Mountain Plains Adult

Hawthorne educator Mary Koscinski shares a hug with a friend after being presented with her Award of Excellence last week. (Stephen Tool photo)

Members of the school district and community turned out in force last week to honor adult educator Mary Koscinski. The Mountain Plains Adult Education Association rewarded Koscinski with its Award of  Excellence for her work in the adult education field in Nevada. 

Only one educator in each member state of the MPAEA is so honored.

Koscinski, whose official title is Adult High School Diploma Program Coordinator, appeared somewhat uncomfortable by the award and public accolades. “I’m really humbled. I never, ever thought I would be one to receive an award,” she said.

Koscinski said she started her career in Salt Lake City in 1969. She taught in Salt Lake for three years before coming to visit her mother in Hawthorne in 1972. “I started to teach kindergarten here in 1972, and I retired in 2004,” Koscinski said.

In 2005, Koscinski took over her present position in the Mineral County adult education  program. “I always loved adult ed. and I worked in adult ed. all along, either working or substituting. I believe everyone has a right to be able to have an education, to learn to read and write,” Koscinski stated.

The program currently offers an English class and a government class along with a multitude of online classes. Koscinski described the online classes as very successful. “Our objective is to help people obtain either their high school equivalency certificate or an adult high school diploma,” Koscinski remarked.

Koscinski said she achieved a great deal of personal satisfaction form her adult education career. “The people we work with are incredible, just wonderful, wonderful people. This is a great place to be.”

In parting, Koscinski gave accolades to the people she works with. “We’re here because we’re passionate about our students and about education. We’re here because we care.”