A-Shared-Journey-to-Graduation.php

A Shared Journey to Graduation

• Students
• 05/27/2026

For Rebecca Killeen, earning her GED from Rock Valley College wasn’t just about finishing school, it was about reclaiming a goal that life once put on hold.

 

At 16, Rebecca’s path took an unexpected turn. Her family moved to a different state, forcing her to leave school just one month before graduation. Without the ability to re-enroll on her own, her education came to a halt. In the years that followed, her focus shifted to raising a family, working retail jobs, and supporting those around her.

“I looked up one day and realized I was 38 and had never really done something for myself,” Rebecca said. “My life had always been about my kids and my family.”

In the midst of raising four daughters and helping run a family business, Rebecca found little time to return to her education. She and her husband Tim own and operate T&B Services and Appliance Repair, a business they’ve built together over more than a decade. From scheduling calls to making deliveries and even assisting with repairs, Rebecca plays an active role in keeping the business running.

Still, the idea of finishing what she started never fully went away.

“Tim kept talking about how great the RVC GED class would be,” she said. “And then one day he said, ‘We should do it together.’”

What started as encouragement turned into a shared journey. The couple enrolled in the program at the same time, attended classes together, and supported each other through every step.

“We held each other accountable,” Rebecca said. “There were days one of us wanted to give up, and the other would say, ‘No, you’ve got this.’ That’s what got us through.”

“Graduating with my wife is super exciting,” said Tim. “She is more excited than I am but for both of us it is a great accomplishment. Doing it together helped keep both of us accountable and we had each other to lean on.”

At Rock Valley College, Rebecca found more than just coursework, she found a community that believed in her.

She credits her instructor, Linda Scherbarth, for helping her build confidence, especially in math, her favorite subject. While she found reading comprehension more challenging, she never let that stop her progress.

“Rebecca was a kind, hardworking student,” said Linda. “Tim and Rebecca would help each other with different problems. She would also help other students if I was busy. I am very proud of both of them for completing their goal.”

Rebecca completed her final GED test in December, achieving a milestone she once thought might be out of reach.

With her GED in hand, Rebecca is considering returning to college to pursue a career in child advocacy, driven by her own experiences growing up.

“I want to be that person for kids who are struggling,” she said. “Someone they can turn to, someone who says, ‘I’m here for you.’”

Her journey has also become a source of inspiration for her family, including her four daughters, one of whom is graduating high school this year.

For Rebecca, the message is clear for anyone considering taking that first step:

“Do it. Take that leap,” she said. “Even if you think you can’t, you can. It’s the most rewarding experience you’ll ever have.”

“The staff here are amazing. They were so supportive and encouraging. It was always, ‘Don’t give up on yourself, you can do this.’ That’s what pushed me to keep going.”

Rebecca Killeen