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If at first you don’t succeed, try again and again. That is what a Jonesboro mother of two did in preparing for another career.
Angela Bailey, 1993 graduate of Crockett High School, was preparing for employment while experiencing personal health problems, the unexpected death of her father and the COVID-19 virus that caused her husband to be laid off from work.
Bailey just completed the online dietary manager program offered by TCAT Elizabethton. The program usually takes eight months to complete. Even before she graduated from the program, she was offered employment by Christian Care Center (CCC) of Unicoi County.
Her story began when she graduated from high school. “I went to ETSU in 1993, majoring in industrial engineering. Life happened. I got married, dropped out of school and went to work for a manufacturing company. I worked there for 20 years,” Bailey said.
“When my youngest was a senior in high school in 2018, I decided to finish my education. My original plan was to get a degree as a veterinarian technician. I got a part time job at Four Oaks Healthcare and fell in love with the residents and dietary.
“The American Job Center (AJC), Brandon Harold, helped me with my books and other things. In 2020, I finished my associate degree in Nutrition and Food Services at Northeast State Community College. The next month I started the dietary program at TCAT.
Bailey expressed appreciation for the support from her family; Lisa Blackburn, online dietary manager coordinator at TCAT Elizabethton; Phyllis Ensor and Stephanie Roark, her instructors; Patricia Henderson, student services coordinator at TCAT Elizabethton who contacted AJC; and Tyler Colbaugh, the administrator at CCU.
“I would also to like to thank the staff at Christian Care Center and my staff for their commitment to the residents. In August 2021, we had our first state review and no deficiencies were found. I hope that other students believe in themselves and work toward their dreams! I am beyond grateful for the TCAT program and everything that made my dreams come true,” Bailey said.
