Download Disability Resource Center Newsletter at College of the Sequoias - Prof. Kathleen Conway and more Exams History of Education in PDF only on Docsity!
Disability Resource Center
915 South Mooney Boulevard
Visalia, CA 93277
NONPROFIT ORG
U S POSTAGE
PAID
COLLEGE OF
THE SEQUOIAS
Hours of Operation:
Monday, Thursday, Friday: 8-
Tuesday, Wednesday: 8-7:
Our instructional aides this semester are:
Cara Befort Hannah Brophy Adam Brumley Anna Griggs Arsany Ibrahim Renee Paddock
Anthony Pertle Corey Rocha Anneka Schuil Kristen VanTichelt Junior Villafana Jonathan Wadkins
In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and ADA requirements, this publication can be made available in an alternative format as a reasonable accommodation. To request a copy in an alternative format, please contact the Disability Resource Center at (559) 730-3805.
1/12/09 Spring Semester Begins
1/19/09 Holiday-No School
1/26/09 Last day to add AND last day to drop with a
“W”
2/13/09 Holiday-No School
2/16/09 Holiday-No School
3/13/09 Last day to file for an Associate Degree for
Spring 2009
3/20/09 Final Drop Date
4/6-4/10 Spring Break-No School
5/18-5/22 Final Exams
5/21/09 Commencement Ceremony
5/22/09 Spring Semester Ends
Hours of Operation:
Monday, Thursday, Friday: 8-
Tuesday, Wednesday: 8-4:
Please visit the Testing Center 2-3 days
before each of your exams to arrange
for test accommodations.
College of the Sequoias Community College District Board of Trustees Bill Scroggins, Superintendent/President Robert Phillips Lori Cardoza Earl Mann Sue Shannon Greg Sherman John A. Zumwalt
DRC NEWSLETTER
Spring 2009
DRC Staff
Director David Maciel Counselor Hunter Church-Gonzales
Learning Specialist Kathleen Conway Adjunct Counselor Maria Matta Adjunct Counselor Cynthia Guillen
Support Services Coordinator Sharmeen Lakhani Senior Secretary Sandy Gaither Clerical Assistant Ashley Henderson
Senior Instructional Aid Melony Henson Access Specialist Wendi McLain Tutor Rachel Mitchell Adaptive PE Instructor Kristal Oliver
Test Proctor Catherine McGuire Instructional Aide Mike Wilcox Tutor Jon Bookout Lead Interpreter Catrina Campbell Gates Interpreters Garrett Bazzle Schaffen Boss Katie Benson Andrea Diggs Kimberly Dinis Aminta Long Lisa Marroquin Tracy May Peter Moreno Linda Darby Sanders Jessica Torres Carrie Walker Leah Whittington
“I knew I shouldn’t have had that last Margarita”
Don during his rookie year in the Dodger farm league
Don—one of the first participants in “Project Runway”. Fancy!
Any home, or program, is only as strong as its foundation. When I started my assignment as the Director of the Disability Resource Center (DRC) five years ago, I was struck by how well organ- ized the program was and by the vast array of services provided to students, all foundational elements that assure success. I soon learned that the primary architect of the DRC was Don Mast.
Don supervised me for a time and I learned a lot about the program, and what a hard working individual he is. I can recall receiving email re- plies at very odd hours, sometimes they ema- nated at around midnight and sometimes as early as five or six in the morning. I thought to myself, does this person ever sleep? Whenever we met to discuss a problem or concern Don’s demeanor never changed he was very clear thinking and always even keeled. Never one to shout or become too excited, Don provided me a haven where I could unload my problems and receive input on the art of gentle persuasion. Central to any of Don’s decision making was how a policy, procedure, or problem would impact students. He’s always had their interests as his primary concern.
Don will be leaving the College of the Sequoias at the end of the spring semester. After spending 26 years at COS, Don has decided to leave and enjoy retirement. For those of us who have worked with Don there will be a void. We will miss his quiet dignity and his congenial manner. We’ll miss his starched shirts, pressed pants and shiny shoes. Don’s always been a fashion plate
and never appeared unkempt! We’ll miss his keen analytical skills and his unwavering dedication to stu- dents.
So Don, it’s time to enjoy retirement, turn off the com- puter, or use it for entertainment purposes solely. No more meetings and shared governance, your wife will be making all the decisions now. Go read a book, play some golf and putter around the house, there will be plenty of honey do’s waiting for you. Thank you for your dedication and hard work, we’ll keep a light on for you. Relax and get some sleep!
Continued on page 2
By: David Maciel
Don’s reaction on being appointed Dean of Student Services
Don with the Enabler (DRC) Staff 1986
Let us follow our destiny, ebb and
flow. Whatever may happen, we
master fortune by accepting it.
Virgil
Even casual spectators of the daily news can’t help but feel overwhelmed by our current economic woes. While our college and our program confronts uncertainty about the funds that will be available next year, we adjust and adapt the best we can. During the spring semester, the DRC will be tak- ing a cautionary approach in terms of its budget and expenditures. However,
I want all of our students and stake- holders to know that we will not reduce our level of service to students of the program. Students will continue to re- ceive, extra time for tests, note takers, counseling support, special classes, and the loan of adaptive equipment.
During the spring semester we will be implementing a “Student Satisfaction” survey so that we can learn what ser- vices students value most and what ser- vices could be improved. Additionally, the DRC will partner with the First Year Experience (FYE) program in order to help these students improve their study habits and study skills. This collabora- tion will be funded by the College’s Es- sential Learning Initiatives (ELI) and is designed to provide early intervention for students who struggle academically. As you know, our full-time Counselor
Hunter Church-Gonzales is spending a portion of her time as the division chair to the general counseling division. Lydia Viveros was filling in for Hunter on Tues- days and Thursdays. Lydia left our pro- gram to obtain a full-time position with Golden West High School. We have hired Cynthia Guillen as a part-time Counselor to replace Lydia so that stu- dents don’t lose out on the valuable counseling services. That means that we now have three part-time Counselors available for students, Hunter Church- Gonzales, Maria Matta, and Cynthia.
I welcome your thoughts and comments on how we can better serve our students and I would like to thank you in advance for your continued support of our pro- gram.
David Maciel
DAVID MACIEL
Sharon Black states that Don re- ceived a red thong for his 50th Birthday. As we age our memory is one of the first things that erode. Perhaps a set of instructions should have accompanied the thong!
I have known Don Mast for approximately 11 years. Since coming to work for Student Services, I have had the opportunity to work closely with the Deans, Directors and staff. I must say, Don has been a blessing to work with. In his capacity as Dean of Student Services and now Dean of Counsel- ing and Matriculation, he has demonstrated and maintained a very professional de- meanor yet remains approachable on all levels of student services issues. Don has provided me and many others with guid- ance and direction on numerous tasks mak- ing our jobs a daily learning experience. He is a true role model and valued friend.
Sharon Black, Marvin Turk, Kathleen Con- way, and Sandy Valenzuela share a relaxing moment with Don.
Don and some of the Staff of Student Services celebrate a birthday.
Hortense Ruiz, Mona Free- man, Debbie Douglass, and Don at the Student Services Halloween Party 2006. Win- ners of the “Best Dressed” Category
Continued from page 1
We’re sure going to miss that smiling face!
Tips on Using the AA form
We would like to pass on some tips for using your Authorized Accommodation forms (also known as your “AA form”).
The DRC provides AA forms to students who request them each semester. Your AA form is individualized for you, based on information our office has on file about the ways your disability can impact you at COS. AA forms can help you communicate with your instructors and other COS staff regarding the accommodations and other services you are eligible to use in college, both in and out of the classroom.
As soon as you have registered for classes for the coming semester, you can order your AA forms. This way, the DRC staff will know how many copies you would like (usually one for each class in which you anticipate needing accommoda- tions and maybe an extra copy for yourself).
Then, the week before school starts, you can stop by the DRC office and pick up your copies, so you will have them when school starts.
It is best to meet with instructors as early in the semester as possible – and privately (during their office hours, for ex- ample) – to review your AA form with them, so that the two of you can have a confidential conversation about how your needs will be met in each class.
Some students prefer to wait until the first day or later in the semester, so that they can get a better idea of which classes they will need accommodations in, before they request their AA forms and then provide them to their instruc- tors.
The key is to communicate with your instructors about your needs as soon as you become aware of them, and the information on your AA form can help both you and your instructors in this process.
Hunter Church
Maria Matta
Cynthia Guillen
This semester, the First Year Experience (FYE) program has partnered with the DRC’s Learning Skills Lab to offer instruc- tional support to FYE students. The FYE program aspires to create learning environments that both challenge and support, while easing the transition to college for first year students. Like the DRC, FYE assists students in achieving success in col- lege course work and encourages continued enrollment.
Three of the communities arranged for this semester are enrolled in one-unit sections of LS 308: Instructional Support. This class provides assistance and practice with study skills needed for the regular classes in which students are concurrently enrolled.
The goal of our collaboration is to enhance access, success and retention for students participating in both programs. We’ll be tracking the progress of the students in these communities, and are looking forward to sharing our findings with the cam- pus community after the conclusion of this term.
Hello everyone!
My name is Cynthia Guillen. I am the new part-time counselor in the DRC and the First Year Experience program.
I am a California State University Fresno graduate. I attained a Bache- lor’s degree in Psychology, a Masters degree in Counseling, and a Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential.
In addition to this position at COS, I work for Fresno City College as an adjunct counselor and instructor. I have also had the opportunity to work with a variety of programs at Fresno State while seeking my education there.
I am very excited to be part of COS, and I do look forward in meeting and working with all of you.
Greetings,
My name is Carrie Stinson and I am excited to join COS as a Learning Specialist.
I have been working with students with disabilities for over nine years. Although I completed my Masters in Administration from CSU Bakersfield, I decided working with students one on one was my passion. I went back to school to work on a second Masters program in Special Education from CSU Sacramento, with an emphasis in Adult Learning Disabili- ties.
I am excited to put my skills to work here, and hope to work with as many of you as possible.
