8/18/2019 Anton Powell GED Success Story

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A True Collaboration Equals Anton Powell’s GED Success Story… 

Inmate Anton Powell’s story began when he returned to the Montgomery County Depart-

ment of Correction and Rehabilitation (MCDOCR) in November of 2014 from the Maryland

State Department of Corrections for a reconsideration hearing. He had already completed

seven (7) years of an eighteen (18) year sentence before arriving at MCDOCR. During this

hearing the Judge decided that in addition to other stipulations that were being imposed,

that he must also obtain his GED. In preparation for GED testing Inmate Powell began tak-

ing the required GED preparation classes within the Montgomery County Correctional Facili-

ty (MCCF) Model Learning Center (MLC) in January of 2015. He then went on to take the

GED Ready practice test (Science and Social Studies) in February, 2015. The Montgomery County Correc-tional Facility (MCCF) is a Pearson VUE certified testing center. 

When two (2) religious services volunteers were visiting Inmate Powell’s housing unit, he shared with them

that he desperately needed to take and pass the GED. After a month of participation in the level 3 GED

class, the teacher unfortunately went out on extended medical

leave. Joanne Wilson a Montgomery County Public School

(MCPS) Home and Hospital teacher at the MCCF MLC, was ap-

proached by these two MCCF religious services volunteers (Diana

Jones and Mary Wasik of Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church) who

proposed a tutoring program to assist Anton. Approval was ob-

tained and the tutoring sessions began in June of 2015. The tutors

for these sessions grew in size, with Darryl Bratton and Dinah

Jones assisting with Social Studies, Aroon Datta teaching Science,

and Paula Sayles teaching lower level Math. Along with the tutors,

volunteer Frantz Wilson (of Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church) provided spiritual support to Anton. Other

support came from the MCCF MLC, who provides the books and school supplies needed for the GED tutor-

ing sessions.

In September of 2015 along with the added anxiety and apprehension of taking all four sections of the

GED Ready practice tests (Math, Reasoning through Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies), Inmate

Powell was scheduled to reappear before the Judge. Anton did not obtain the required score standards and

as a result, he did not pass the tests or obtain his GED. Now standing in front of the Judge during the Sep-

tember, 2015 court hearing, Anton asked the Judge for additional time to remain at MCCF (in lieu of transfer-

ring back to Maryland State DOC) to continue working towards preparing to pass the GED state exam. The

Judge granted his request and he was allowed to remain at MCCF until the next court date in March of 2016.

Montgomery County Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation 

April 2 16

Volunteer Support 

8/18/2019 Anton Powell GED Success Story

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   At the end of January, 2016, the GED Test Service issued an announcement that the passing score for

each section of the test was being lowered from 150 to 145; due to research being done at the community col-

lege level which cited that students who passed the new GED test were performing better than those who had

graduated from high school. All exams that had been taken since January of 2014 would be retroactive. This

meant that Anton had already passed the Social Studies and Science portions of the test. The next test was

scheduled for February of 2016. On the day of the GED Ready practice test, inclement weather (3 feet of

snow) in Montgomery County pushed the test back an additional week. This allowed Anton more time for re-

view and preparation. The following week Anton was scheduled to take the two remaining test sections that he

was required to pass.

Proudly on March 1, 2016, Anton passed the two remaining test sections

(Reasoning through Language Arts and Mathematics); finally obtaining his

High School Diploma. Overall, this achievement by Anton consisted of five

(5) GED Ready practice tests and three (3) GED Tests; which are com-

prised of thirty (30) individual test sections. Anton persevered through the

hard times and even failures. The collaborative support team of religious

services volunteers, MCCF MLC faculty staff and Correctional staff contrib-

uted to Anton’s sense of hope for his future. On March 21, 2016, Antonwas able to stand tall in front of the Judge and confidently report that he

had passed the GED test.

Correctional Officer, Sgt. M. McCullough (on behalf of a number of Correctional Officers) approached Man-

agement staff, indicating an interest in being a part of any celebration being planned in recognition of Anton’s

accomplishment. A surprise celebration was arranged by Correctional Staff/Officers, religious services volun-

teers (tutoring team), and MCCF MLC faculty staff. The celebration took place in an MCCF MLC classroom.

 As a surprised Anton walked into the classroom, one of the attending Correctional Officers who was convers-

ing with Anton stated, “Have you ever heard of the proverb…. It takes a village and behold with stretched-out

arms, welcome to your village.” 

Director Rob Greencongratulating Mr. Powell

 

Quotes from the MCCF Officers: 

Officer Marcus Tabb 

I told Mr. Powell I’m proud of him it’s a great

achievement. It’s time to focus on your next goal.

Keep up the good work and remain focused.

Officer Bryan Hsu 

I congratulated Mr. Powell and told him that all of

his hard work has paid off and that he should be

very proud of himself.

Officer Michael McCullough 

One thing that I shared with Anton is that his ac-

complishment inspired not only the inmates but

the officers as well. 

Written By: A True Collaboration within the Montgomery County (MD) DepartmeCorrection and Rehabilitation

Graduation Celebration with MLCSupport and Volunteers

 

MCDOCR Staff Supporters