A La Crosse college teacher is trying to better the lives of inmates through education. Western Technical College made a double-digit donation so that inmates can have the hope of a brighter future.

If you look at her family tree, teaching is what Willa Mackenzie was born to do

"My dad was a school superintendent, my mom, everybody in my family is a teacher so I was raised in a teaching family and that's what I knew growing up."

She's taught students of all ages but for the last three years her assignment has been working with inmates at the La Crosse County jail.

"There are people in here that have not had a good upbringing. They've been down on their luck. They come in here, and when you come into this classroom, what I try to offer them is hope."

She says the goal of the program is to help inmates get a GED. The grant money from Western Technical College allowed the program to grow, so Mackenzie can help more of the men and women behind bars.

"When they say 'Hey this is like a job I was doing,' and I catch that, then I can go with that teachable moment. The teachable moments are the exciting times for me."

Mike, an inmate, is awaiting trial for first degree sexual assault of a child and while he is behind bars, he is trying to get his GED to possibly get into a career working with computers.

"It's taught me to be more patient with myself,” he says. “Back in the day, school was a struggle, so it's taught me patience. I don't know if that's it or I'm a little older now, but it's easier."

Another inmate, John, was arrested for felony burglary and is awaiting trial. He says the reason he got his GED was to make a better life for himself and his new baby.

"I tried getting a job without it and I couldn't but now that I have it, I think it will be better to get a job."

Mackenzie says after three years her favorite part of the job is watching her students become more educated people.

"We're looking at moving their academic standards higher. No Child Left Behind, No Inmate Left Behind... we're not going to leave anybody behind."

Mackenzie says out of her 125 students about 33% will get their GED by December.