CNM Education News

Erica Volkers

Director of Education Programs

evolkers@cnm.edu

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Education News

Intel Employees Transition to Teaching

The alternative teacher licensure certificate program at CNM has presented some Intel employees being laid off in Rio Rancho with an opportunity to transition to the teaching profession.  Erica Volkers, Director of Education Programs, has been working with the     company Intel has hired to help transition these employees.  One Intel employee shared, “I’ve been interested in teaching for a long time and this is the perfect opportunity for me to make the career change.”

Invitation to Diversity & Education Workshop

Education advisory board members and education faculty are invited to attend a cultural diversity and education workshop facilitated by Gail Goldstein, long-time early childhood faculty for the education programs. This workshop will be interactive and explore the following: the cultural nature of human development; diversity and ourselves; diversity and teaching; and negotiating cultural "bumps". It will be held October 26 from 11:30-2:15 with lunch provided. Please R.S.V.P. to Erica Volkers at evolkers@cnm.edu

Carl Perkins Grant Funding Provides for New Program Opportunities

The Education Programs received Carl Perkins grant funding to pursue three major projects.  Project 1:    developing learning communities, or linked courses, in Early Childhood Multicultural Education and Developmental Education.  These classes will allow   students with underdeveloped reading and writing skills to acquire these skills in the context of early childhood content.  Project 2:   conducting a needs assessment and subsequent program model for delivering ECME coursework to primary Spanish speaking students.  We believe that we can help professionalize current Spanish-speaking workers in child care by providing them with an opportunity to embark on a degree program that supports their development as a college student first in their primary language in early childhood coursework.  Project 3:  conducting a needs assessment and subsequent program model for a Career and Technical Teacher Preparation Degree and Licensure Pathway.  The demand for teachers in the career and technical fields will grow as the increased emphasis for career pathways continues in high schools.  However, there are limited opportunities for these experts to become licensed teachers.  Bettina Eklund, Norah Ryan and Karen Trammel, part-time education faculty, will each be taking the lead on one these projects.