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Quarterly Publication | Summer 2021 |
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Two JMU Educational
Leadership Students
Take Center Stage
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The spotlight shown this spring is on Callie Clary and Kristen Franklin (shown), two students in the JMU Educational Leadership Program at the Roanoke Higher Education Center. Clary was named “Teacher of the Year” at Ferrum Elementary School, and Franklin was appointed the Integrated Curriculum Lead with Code VA, a non-profit that works to bring equitable computer science education to students in Virginia.
Clary is in her fourth year teaching fourth grade teacher at Ferrum and had a “whirlwind” year! Because of Covid-19, Clary taught third grade virtually last semester and then was switched back to fourth grade when Franklin County Public Schools returned to in-person teaching five days a week. Clary is currently in the first year of her Master’s in Education program. Having also completed her undergraduate degree at RHEC through Radford University, she is thrilled to be back here.
“There’s something about the Higher Education Center that I really like,” she said. “It’s a mature environment, somewhere that I could foster learning again. After being there for my four years and as soon as I heard that my Master’s could be done there, I jumped on it.”
Her degree will prepare her to become a school administrator in Virginia. Clary has the unique perspective of working on her Master’s during a global pandemic and learning how to handle different scenarios from a leadership point of view.
Having already received her Master’s degree, Kristen Franklin is pursuing her Educational Leadership Certificate and will finish this June. After a 16-year career teaching in Salem City schools, she will soon transition to a full-time administrative role with Code VA. She currently works there in a part-time capacity in addition to teaching kindergarten. In this new role, Franklin will be facilitating professional development sessions for teachers, writing curriculum, and overseeing writing teams. “I will be making sure that our curriculum reflects computer science being integrated into all subjects K-8 and ensuring that it is created so that all students have access to computer science education,” she said.
Both Franklin and Clary appreciate the convenience of studying at the Roanoke Higher Education Center. “Not only could I easily meet with my professors in person (of course, that was before Covid), but also I wasn’t having to drive a long way. It was very convenient; I just had easy access to everything that I needed,” explained Franklin. Now, for flexibility during the pandemic, many courses are offered both live and remote at the same time.
Dr. Richard Turner, the Roanoke Area Program Coordinator for the JMU Educational Leadership Program, sings their praises. “I’m real proud of both of them. They’re going to both do really, really well as leaders in education. They both have great leadership attributes,” he said.
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IT Adventures at STEM+ Summer Camps |
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Programming video games, developing interactive new virtual worlds, inventing brand new contraptions… Kids can do all this and more at the Commonwealth Learning Systems (CLS) STEM+ summer camps. The CLS Stem+ Lab at the Roanoke Higher Education Center will host a series of five different summer camps that combine IT adventures with physical activity and fun.
The summer camps align perfectly with their CLS mission to develop online STEM education that focuses on emerging technologies and job skills. According to Amanda Janis, Site Director, developing STEM skills in children is so important because it will help them in school, in their day-to-day activities, and in finding jobs in the future. “And it’s something fun for them to learn,” she said.
At the forefront of next-generation technologies in education, the summer camps will take advantage of distance learning opportunities with some instructors “zooming” in from offsite locations.
The summer camp series kicks off on June 7 with Gamification (ages 8+), which will explore the fundamentals of programming and game development. In the Virtual Reality camp (ages 13+), campers will create virtual worlds that will allow them to interact with each other. Programming with micro:bits (ages 10+) teaches campers about electronic circuits, sensors, and actuators and gives them the tools and knowledge to create their own devices.
Smart Tech IoT (ages 10+) shows how everything is connected by the Internet of Things. Led by Denis Gracanin, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Computer Science and a Faculty Affiliate at Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology, Virginia Tech, this session will include hands-on activities using a small computer called Raspberry Pi. Finally, the Emerging Technologies (ages 13+) summer camp asks: when does science fiction become science fact? According to Janis, “we are talking about how future jobs that don’t exist yet that might even sound like science fiction are becoming more and more prevalent as technology improves our day-to-day life.”
One thing that sets the STEM+ Summer Camps apart from other summer camps is that it’s not just screen time. Every camp day will include time for functional fitness and outdoor games (weather permitting).
Scholarships are available for the Gamification camp. For information about receiving the scholarship, please contact info@stemplus.net.
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Virginia Tech
Roanoke Center
Monthly Updates
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Running Effective Meetings for Solving Difficult Problems
How would you like to reduce the number of ineffective meetings you attend?
Now that we’ve gotten your attention, let us help you raise the effectiveness level of the meetings you lead and solve difficult problems in the process!
Increase productivity and save time with this workshop where you will learn:
- the role of a meeting facilitator (that’s you!) and how to be functional, deal with disruptions, and develop action items
- tools and methodologies to improve team dynamics
- how to get to the root of a problem (and how to solve it!) using The Problem-Solving Handbook – a workbook you will receive a copy of
- process mapping and value stream mapping in the problem-solving process
This workshop will be led by John Dyer (author, coach, trainer), who will share his 35 years of experience with you. He has helped over 100 teams grow, while working together in a meaningful, impactful way.
This two-day workshop will be held May 26 & 27, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., via Zoom. Registration is $119 per person.
Registration and information: https://bit.ly/vteffectivemeetings
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Women Impact Virginia –
a free virtual professional development series
Join us for this FREE professional development series from Virginia Tech! The Women Impact Virginia Series will aim to advance women leaders in Virginia. Each session will promote connections, engagement, and empowerment of women who feel a desire to impact their community, region, state, nation, and world. Whether you’re currently working in these sector, want to gain knowledge to shift careers, or are interested in hearing about the work taking place across Virginia, this series is for you.
Our next sessions will be:
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May 26 – Hospitality & Tourism
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Aug. 25 – Non-Profit Organizations
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Nov. 17 – The Entrepreneurial Mindset
Each session is FREE to women across the Commonwealth and will include keynote speakers, networking, and a panel discussion diving deep into industry best practices and tools for success.
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Blue Ridge Mountain Biking Conference
Building a trail to economic & community improvement
If you’re dedicated to advancing tourism, recreation, and business with mountain biking, the Blue Ridge Mountain Biking Conference is for you.
Created by Virginia Tech and presented by Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, the Blue Ridge Mountain Biking Conference serves the future of the sport while shifting your economic development, tourism, recreation, and business into high gear.
Join us in Roanoke, Virginia – America’s East Coast Mountain Biking Capital and IMBA Silver-Level Ride Center – Sept. 15-17, 2021, to capitalize on your area’s mountain biking potential. We currently have sponsorship opportunities available, as well as speaker spots. Reach out to the contact below if you have any questions or are interested in being a part of this epic adventure.
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So You Want to Be a Social Worker? |
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Social workers make a difference. All over the community, from hospitals to schools, social service agencies to non-profits, social workers advocate for others’ rights and connect clients to needed resources. Social workers work with every population and age group. From linking senior citizens to services to help them live independently to ensuring that children have a safe and nurturing environment, the opportunities are endless.
Social work “is one of the most incredible vocations that one can really obtain. You can work with any population, in any location,” said Dianna Parrish, Associate Director, Mary Baldwin University Online Social Work Program.
If you are interested in pursuing a career as a social worker, the Roanoke Higher Education Center (RHEC) can help. A partner of RHEC, Mary Baldwin University offers courses in social work that will provide a very marketable degree. Parrish explains that students who start their program with an Associate’s degree in Human Services already have credits that will fulfill their major’s requirements when they transfer to Mary Baldwin. At this level, students are already hirable in community-based programs.
After completing a Bachelor’s of Social Work (BSW), doors open even further. Graduates are quickly hired in entry-level positions in governmental agencies or community non-profits. Many people are hired where they did their practicum, which offers hands-on experience in the social work field. Graduates can also choose to work toward a Master’s of Social Work (MSW) if they want to pursue clinical work. Students will get all the experience they need through their coursework and fieldwork.
With an MSW from an accredited school, graduates can also continue their education to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Newer to the field is the Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW), which allows early-career social workers to practice under the direction of an LCSW. To obtain their licenses, students must meet a required number of work hours, pass an exam, and pay yearly licensing fees.
“One of the best things about the social work field is its mobility,” says Parrish. “For me, social work is such a great profession in the sense that it allows you to have that learning curve. You don’t have to be stuck in one position.”
The job outlook is terrific. Parrish regularly sees her students hired quickly after graduation in many sectors including social services and community-based programs.
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YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO A SAFE AND HEALTHY WORKPLACE – IT’S THE LAW!
COURSES DESIGNED TO PROTECT WORKER HEALTH AND SAFETY IN ROANOKE!
These courses are comprehensive safety trainings designed for anyone involved in
construction and general industry. The programs provide complete information on OSHA compliance issues and cover hazard identification, avoidance, control, and prevention.
Stay on top of job safety and health; it’s the law!
Upcoming OSHA Classes held at the Roanoke Higher Education Center:
- August 30-Sept 2, 2021 • OSHA 511
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Occupational Safety And Health Standards For General Industry — $845.00
- September 20-23, 2021 • OSHA 501
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Trainer Course In Occupational Safety And Health Standards For General Industry — $845.00
- October 15, 2021 • OSHA 7210
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Pandemic Illness Preparedness— FREE
- November 15-18, 2021 • OSHA 521
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OSHA Guide to Industrial Hygiene — $845.00
- December 6-9, 2021 • OSHA 510
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Occupational Safety And Health Standards For The Construction Industry — $845.00
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Please note: Onsite classes will follow the CDC COVID Safety Guidelines:
- Face masks are mandatory upon entry and in class.
- 6 foot safe distancing on campus will be enforced.
- Hand sanitizer will be available upon entry.
- Avoid coming if you have a fever or are experiencing any symptoms.
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Roanoke Higher Education Center
108 N. Jefferson St. | Roanoke, VA 24016
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