SILVERHILL, Alabama — Karen McDermott’s job keeps her on her toes.

One minute the Mobile native with a master’s degree in English and literature is helping a student master fractions and the next she’s helping another student with social studies. This happens four nights a week for the lead GED class instructor at Silverhill First Baptist Church.

“It’s a constant thing, helping,” the 35-year-old said. “There are days where I have to sit down and say ‘I need to check the book.’”

The program is sponsored by Faulkner State Community College and is free to participants, who can sign up by showing identification at the class site. The classes take place Monday-Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

McDermott, who also volunteers as an English as a second language teacher, said the GED program has been really successful at the church, bringing in about 50 enrolled students. Countywide, about 16 percent of participants end up enrolled in college, said instructor Robert Johnson.

“The GED program is one of the biggest contributors to Faulkner State Community College’s enrollment,” Johnson said.

The classes teach students reading, math, language, social students and science, McDermott said. In addition the instructors can help with computer skills, filling out college loan applications and even job placement.

McDermott said the church, the community and the people are factors that have led to the program’s success.

“It’s everyone working together,” she said. “We are all working together to help make them successful.”

Instructor Mike Bauman said the program in Silverhill is the county’s second most successful.

“I think it’s blessed by God,” he said.

Free childcare is offered as part of the program through the church and the county’s transportation system, BRATS, also offers free transportation.

“We have a lot of good partnerships going on,” McDermott said. “There are a lot of good people working together to make sure (the students) are successful.”