Indiana Woman has been teaching jail inmates for nearly 25 years Inmates who earn high school equivalence certification have more opportunities

By Gary Popp News and Tribune JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (AP) - Teresa Davis has been helping inmates at the Clark County jail prepare for the high school equivalency exam for nearly 25 years. She said she would teach at a high school, but those kids are just too rowdy. "I couldn't teach at a high school. (Those students) have too much freedom," Davis told the News and Tribune. Since 1992, Davis has been walking through the cinder-block halls of the jail to a classroom where she teaches men and women who voluntarily enter the jail's education program to make themselves more prepared for the workforce than they were before their incarceration. The high school equivalency exam covers science, social studies, reading, math and English, and Davis said that she is able to form a special bond with many of the inmates because she personally understands the difficulties they have faced academically. "I was a struggling student, myself, in high school, so I can immediately relate to the (inmates). I suffered, too, but, I got over it. And, I have a background in alternative schools and family literacy, so I know the population," Davis said. "By them knowing that they can trust me, they open up." Davis was recognized for her teaching excellence with the 2013 Adult Educator of the Year by the Indiana Association of Adult and Continuing Education. She said some of the inmates enter the jail's education program needing only a few days of preparation to pass the exam, while others needs months of hands-on instruction. "I test them to see where they are, and then we work on whatever skills they need individually, as well as a group," Davis said. "I give all of them a chance." Davis is the only teacher in the jail's program, but she receives assistance from inmates who tutor others in the class. "They do a lot of work for me," she said of her inmate tutors. "I could not do it all." Inmate-tutor David Mattingly, 56, Charlestown, said he first entered Davis' classroom in May 2014. He quickly passed the high school equivalency exam, but stayed in the program to prepare for a college-placement exam and help other inmates. "I never really needed a high school diploma to do the things that I do. I build things out of steel, but, any more, it is getting harder and harder to get a job without the right paperwork," Mattingly said. While Mattingly said it wasn't necessary for him to earn the certification, he found it the best use of his time while incarcerated. The younger inmates will need the certification more than him, Mattingly said, and he is happy to tutor them. He said he has tutored nearly 100 inmates while in the jail. "I like helping people. They may not use (the degree) when they get out, but at least if they have that diploma, they will have that opportunity to go out and get a job somewhere," Mattingly said. Davis said she is fair to the inmate students and treats them with respect, but is also stern when she needs to be. "The guys know that I am serious. They are going to sit down and be still or they are going back," she said. The day she accepted the position, Davis said she was nervous to work so closely inmates, "but when I find the other side of them, I'm not fearful at all." Davis recalled that a young inmate once got frustrated with a lesson and became belligerent in the classroom. Another inmate quickly stood up in her defense, but she told that inmate that she could handle the situation. "I think the inmates would all be ready to protect me. I think there is just that much respect. They appreciate how I treat them," Davis said. "They know I am here to help them, but I don't give them any slack, either. If they are not in here to study then they don't need to be in here. " Davis also is supported by Clark County Sheriff's Office Correctional Officer Retha Boley. "I won't put her in harm's way," Boley said. "We have never had a fight in here." Before an inmate is placed in Davis' class, Boley conducts a screening process to determine who can be admitted. "Every name on every sheet, I check them out. I check to see if they have enemies. I check their charges. I check all that out, then I put her class together," she said. "I know who to bring up here and who not to bring up here." Boley said she helps keep the classroom a peaceful environment that supports learning. "With some of them, I can tell when I get them out (of a holding cell) that they are having a bad day," Boley said. "I just know they are going to come up here and run their mouth, and they are going to be a problem. I tell them, 'Why don't you stay in today?' or flat out 'You are not going.'" Davis said she intentionally avoids finding out what circumstances resulted in the student inmates serving time in the jail. "I don't want anything that might influence me on a certain student," she said. Davis said curriculum always comes first, but that she also allows time for light-hearted moments. "A lot of times I say things, and they (the inmates) just crack up," she said, adding that she keeps a "down-to-earth" approach to her interaction with those jailed. Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel said when inmates earn a high school equivalency certification, they will have a better chance of finding employment after their release and of staying out of jail. "It is part of our continued effort of cutting down the recidivism rate in the jail. We offer as many programs as we can, especially with helping them get their GED. And, hopefully we won't see them in the facility again." Noel said. Inmate Toby Hogan, 37, Scottsburg, began the education program in November and passed the exam within the month. He has continued to participate in the class to prepare for a college-placement exam. "All and all, I believe (the program) is beneficial for society. Not only does it help with morale while we are here, but also when we get back to the streets," Hogan said. He said progressing through the program and earning the certificate has a great impact on some of the inmates. "A lot of these guys think, 'I'm not worth anything. I'll never amount to anything.' This is uplifting," Hogan said. "It gives (the inmates) something to look forward to, and, maybe, they will turn around and do something better with themselves instead of crime." Hogan said he's motivated to enhance his education for not only to help himself, but to help his family. He said the education classes are not easy, but that Davis is patient and inspiring. "She is awesome. She brings up the morale of the people in the class," Hogan said. "It helps with the mindset of the whole situation for me, personally." Davis said she often sees an inmate's self-confidence and general attitude improve while in the program. She said some inmates get "a totally different look on their face" and lose their "mad-at-the-whole-world" disposition. Boley also said she also sees a positive change in the inmates who successfully progress through the program. "About halfway through (the program), I know all of their names. I make it personal. That just makes them smile when you are able to call them by their name, instead of 'inmate so and so,'" Boley said. Davis said helping inmates better themselves through education is both enjoyable and rewarding. "I love it," she said. "I love to see it click in their heads when they have learned something. I love to see that their whole disposition in life is changing. To me, it is a ministry." Published: Tue, Mar 31, 2015