Older learners share stories about learning English, gaining new careers and balancing adult responsibility as they are honored on Thursday, Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Harris County Department of Education, 6300 Irvington. The 32 adults are inducted into the National Adult Education Honor Society as outstanding learners who go above-and-beyond to better themselves and help and inspire others.

*Nanny from Mexico gets three medical certifications through free GED and workforce education programs at HCDE, allowing her to make up to $20 an hour once she earns her GED.

*Former doctor and immigrant from Venezuela who is taking English as a second language (ESL) classes talks about moving from saving lives in the hospital emergency room in his homeland to earning minimum wage as a restaurant employee as he learns English.

*Venezuela native progresses through English as a second language classes and works her way up from dishwasher to service manager to general manager of Chipotle Restaurant. Her employer sings her praises in a letter of commendation for the honor society award.