Drop Out Prevention

Hello, my name is David and I’m your friend! 

Did you know that every year, over 1.2 million students drop out of high school in the United States alone. That's a student every 26 seconds – or 7,000 a day.

I was one of them.

In the year 1969 at the age of 16 I walked out of school unconcerned about my future. The theme of the decade was...”Its your thing- do what you want to do!” So I did !!

There was a lot going on in the sixties...Vietnam, The Civil Rights Movement, The Hippie Movement, The Black Panther Party, The British Invasion, sex, drugs, rock & roll! Watergate!

It was a confusing and unstable time!

After 17 years of bad choices I had had enough. I was considering suicide but instead became a believer, a Christ follower. Until then I had issues like Low self-esteem, low self-confidence and a “I don’t care attitude.”

As my self-confidence and self-esteem returned my desire to learn more about God led me to Bible school. But in order to be accepted I needed a High school diploma, which I didn’t have. So I enrolled in the local adult GED program.

My teachers name was Mrs. Morris. She began to Coach me. She began to mentor me. She believed in and encouraged me. When they announced the date for the test, I became anxious, but she said, “You Can Do It Dave,” ”Your ready,” “I believe in you!”

I didn’t think I was ready but I didn’t want to let Mrs. Morris down so when she asked I said “ok.” 

To make a long story short, I ended up passing the test and continued on to CFNI Bible Institute in Dallas, Tx. where I received an Associates Degree.  While there another teacher, Dr Walter Axtell began to coach and mentor me. He encouraged me to pursue my education, he sent my transcripts to another seminary where I was accepted and received a Bachelor of Theology degree, Masters of Divinity degree and a Ph. D. In Pastoral Counseling.

The Dean of the seminary asked me if I would consider becoming an extended faculty member / teacher which I humbly accepted. It was an opportunity to give back, to encourage, inspire and impart confidence in the students as they pursued their purpose.

                                                IMAGINE,  FROM A GED TO A PH. D.

I thank God for these and many other teachers, coaches, mentors, trainers, family and friends. If not for them I would not be here today. 

                                         TEACHERS - THE STUDENTS NEED YOU!

                           I’d like to encourage you with this famous poem entitled ...

                                                          “Don’t Quit.”

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, 

when the road you're trudging seems all uphill, 

when the funds are low and the debts are high, 

and you want to smile but you have to sigh, 

when care is pressing you down a bit - rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is strange with its twists and turns

As every one of us sometimes learns

And many a failure comes about

When you might have won had you stuck it out;

Don't give up though the pace seems slow—You may succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out - the silver tint of the clouds of doubt, 

and when you never can tell how close you are, 

it may be near when it seems afar; 

so stick to the fight when you're hardest hit - it's when things seem worst, that you must not quit!

                                     “Be encouraged, the best is yet to come!”