Crawfordsville Adult Resource Academy

High School Equivalency Diploma

The High School Equivalency diploma replaces the GED diploma. You will earn your diploma by testing in five subject areas: Math, Writing, Reading, Social Studies, and Science. This exam, called the HiSET test, can be prepared for online or at the CARA building for free. The price of the exam is $144. Read MoreScholarships are available if you meet the requirements. To take the exam, you will need a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or state ID at the time of registration. Whether you are our student or not, you can contact us to take the HSE exam
**If you are under 18 and/or still registered in school, you will need an “Exit Withdrawal” form on file. Contact our office for help!**

Welcome to Adult Ed! My name is Kathy Tobias, and it is my pleasure to introduce you to the Crawfordsville Adult Resource Academy. Read MoreI started my journey in adult education around 20 years ago teaching GED preparation in our local Even Start Literacy program. It was love at first sight! I am passionate about what we do at CARA and how we can help you further your life long success. Our instructors and staff are the best in the state. We may be small, but we produce big results. Please give us a chance to help you start a rewarding educational journey that you will never regret.

My name is Angie Hale and I grew up attending Crawfordsville Schools. I graduated from the University of Evansville with a degree in Read More Art and Business and later completed my Masters in Information Science and Library Science at IU. After living in Indianapolis and Northwest Indiana for several years my family moved back to Crawfordsville in 2011. I have worked at Crawfordsville Community School Corporation since we moved back first as a media specialist for Nicholson Elementary and for the last 5 years, I have been in the role of Elementary Technology Coordinator for all the elementary buildings. My role at CARA is Assessment Coordinator. I schedule and conduct the HiSET testing on the weekends. I enjoy getting to work with adults and seeing all their hard work pay off in working towards their goals.

I am Janene Plunkett and I have been a teacher at CARA since 2014. Prior to that, I taught in public schools for 30 years. Read More My experience includes both the general education setting and the Resource Room. I have been in school for most of my life. I attended Crawfordsville schools, then received my B.A. degree from the University of Indianapolis and my M.S. from Indiana State University. When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with family or reading a good mystery. I also love watching my three kittens romp with each other.

I am a lifelong resident of Lafayette. I have been with CARA since 2021. Read More My experience in Adult Education began at LARA in 2014, volunteering to help with several graduations and United Way campaigns. I was soon hired to work on special projects, but was then selected by Cherry Richardson to fill a need in LARA Assessment. Cherry was my mentor in all things Assessment for 3 years. I spent a 6-month period as teaching assistant and office administrator for Bethellen Richardson in our Carroll and White County programs. In 2018, I was invited back to LARA as Assessment Coordinator, shortly after assuming the role of Regional Assessment Coordinator. In 2021 I transitioned to CARA to become the Assessment Coordinator for the Crawfordsville program. Adult education has become a passion for me, and it is a joy and a privilege to work with others of like mind and dedication. I love to help people to be more comfortable with testing, overcome obstacles, and witness their success in the attainment of their goals.

Hi! I am Kerri Warner, and I teach English as a Second Language (ESL) classes a few evenings a week at CARA. I also teach English Language Learners (ELLs) at Nicholson Elementary School. Read More I began my teaching career in Watsonville, California where I taught for 10 years after getting a bilingual/multicultural teaching credential from the University of California in Santa Cruz. I taught bilingual K-2 classes, and also worked with adult ESL students for a few summers.

Since moving to Indiana in 20+ years ago, I have taken many courses and professional development workshops on teaching English Language Learners. I taught new EL students at Crawfordsville High School for two years before settling on elementary school. While I continue to love working with children, I am very happy to be working with adults again.

I’m Craig Harmon and I have lived in Crawfordsville most of my life. I attended Crawfordsville Schools and Graduated from Wabash College in 1985. Read More I have over 40 years of experience working in production control, departmental and general management from which I retired in February of 2021. My role at CARA is to develop a program for instructing students who will ultimately become certified by a nationally recognized certification company. (Manufacturing Skills Standards Council, or MSSC). We currently offer certifications in Supply Chain and Logistics with certifications in manufacturing soon to follow. We will be working with individuals as well with companies to provide these certifications to those who desire to increase their knowledge and skills. I'm looking forward to continuing this program and assisting current workers as well as entry level employees further their knowledge and grow in their careers.

My name is Cathie Abston. I grew up in a suburb of Atlanta, GA and went to college in Tennessee, where I met my husband. After I taught kindergarten for two years in Tennessee, we moved to Indiana shortly before the birth of our only child. Read More While my daughter was young, I ran an after-school program, had a licensed home daycare, and worked as a substitute teacher for several years, before returning to school to earn a master's degree from Purdue. After I taught school for many years in northern Indiana, we returned to Crawfordsville, my husband's hometown, in 2017, when he became pastor of a local church. I retired from teaching full time from New Market Elementary. Now, I enjoy teaching an English class at CARA for adults.

Hello My name is Jeffrey Lockhart I’m one of the welding Instructors for the CARA program and I’m one of the Welding instructors for West Central CTE I’ve been welding since I graduated high school in 2012 it’s been a lifelong passion Read More and I have dedicated a lot of time to being the best I can be at what I do. I have my AWS certificate for destructive testing. I'm looking forward to working with and sharing my knowledge and experience with anyone who is interested in welding.

My name is Kelly Murphy and I am a resident of Crawfordsville. I grew up in the North Putnam community. I am a U.S. Army veteran. I graduated from Hobart Institute of Welding Technology in 2013. Read MoreI have worked in the industry as a Boilermaker and Iron Worker for almost 20 years. I became a Certified Welding Inspector in 2019. I also teach welding at North Montgomery High School for West Central Indiana Career and Technical Education. I have been teaching there for about 4 years. I have 3 beautiful daughters and 3 annoying dogs that are free to a good home!

My name is Bob Roark. I grew up on a small farm in Eastern Indiana. I graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Finance and a minor in Economics. I received my Master’s degree from Liberty University. Read MoreI started my educational career with Indiana Business College where I became an Executive Director/Adjunct faculty of the Marion, Indiana campus, and soon became President/Adjunct faculty at the Indianapolis campus. Years later, I was offered educational positions in Atlanta, Houston, and Georgia where I became a High School Principal for a Christian school.
Then I finished my educational career in Arkansas, where I raised my family. After several years, I decided to retire back in my home state of Indiana. I applied as a substitute teacher with the Montgomery School district. I now substitute for the Hoover Elementary School and was hired at CARA in August of 2024. I love to teach and will continue helping grade school kids and adults reach their educational goals.

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Kelvin Black

From Dallas, USA

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Zasha Swan

From Australia

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Frank Jones

From Japan

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Jack Brownn

From London, UK

Building Tomorrow's Opportunities

Registration is Open

Our Classes

High School Equivalency Diploma

Career Training

Learn English

Improve Academic Skills

Our Staff

Kathy Tobias

Angie Hale

Janene Plunkett

Anne Cassady

Kerri Warner

Craig Harmon

Cathie Abston

Jeffrey Lockhart

Kelly Murphy

Bob Roark

What Our Students Have to Say

There's a better way to grow.