Clackamas offers alternative choices in education
drop out of high school, but only
need a handful of credits to receive
Staff Writer
their diploma; or those individuals
whose career choice requires a high
school diploma.
Barbara Simington, secretary in
As the economy in Oregon con
tinues to spiral out of control, enroll the Dye Learning Center, interviews
ment in education classes is on the each student to determine personal
rise. Many working class adults who needs and abilities. An assessment is
never completed high school are then administered for placement pur
finding it necessary to improve their poses. “In some cases, students are
skills in order to compete with the farther along than they think and can
take a GED practice exam to see if
current job market.
Clackamas Community College they are capable of passing the offi
offers three options for such individ cial GED exam,” says Simington.
uals including:
Adult Basic Both exams are offered on campus.
Rhonda Lee attended Jellico High
Education (ABE) program, General
Education Development (GED) pro School in Tennessee, but at the
gram and Adult High School young age of 15 she left school to get
married and raise a family. Lee lives
Diploma program.
The ABE program is for students, in Oregon City and is a licensed Day-
who need help with some of the more Care Professional. She has three
basic skills, such as reading, writing, children of her own, Brandy (14),
and arithmetic. This program brings Heather (12), and Timmy (10). Now
that her children are older, Lee (29) is
students to the GED level.
The GED program prepares stu able to take evening classes at
dents to take the official exam and Clackamas to earn her GED
receive their GED certificate, which Certificate.
“At first I was a little nervous
affords them many of the same luxu
ries as a high school diploma. For going back, being older, but once I
instance, a GED certifícate is gener got there I didn’t feel out of place.
ally accepted in place of a diploma Everyone seems to be very motivat
for most jobs. It also enables stu ed. They all have a goal that they
have set for themselves,” said Lee.
dents to go to college.
The Adult High School Diploma With education as her current mis
program benefits students who had to sion, Lee hopes to become a Dental
CYNDEE MADY Clackamas Print
Becky Ogden (left) instructs a group of students in the Tri-City Alternative Program
that meets in Clairmont Hall, one of a variety of alternative education choices at CCC.
Hygienist in her near future.
Another option for education is
available via the Tri-City Alternative
Program in Clairmont Hall. This
program is designated for high
school students ages 15-17 who
could not adapt to the structure of the
high school setting.
Becky Ogden is one of two
instructors who teach the 30 students
enrolled in this program. “People
have a tendency to think of them as
bad kids, and that’s not the case.
They’ve had issues in their lives that
prevent them from being successful,”
says Ogden.
This program prepares students to
return to high school or enter the
GED program, and encourages the
value of learning and education. Thé
students really like the environment,
the personal attention they receive,
the style of teaching and being able
to work at their own pace.
Options are available for individ
uals wanting to create a bettdf'Qife
through education. If you would like
information on the above programs,
contact Barbara Simington, . ext.
2595, or Becky Ogden, ext. 2454- ‘
Clackamas instructor Daugherty achieves dream of
teaching, has seen many changes in GED program
PETE FORD Clackamas Print
After 13 years in retail, Linda
Daugherty decided it was “time for a
change” and went back to school to
get her teaching certificate.
“That was my first choice com
ing out of high school, but I got mar
ried instead,” said Daugherty. In
1995 she received her certificate and
pursued her dream to be an elemen
tary school teacher. “I did a lot of
subbing, but I think they don’t want
40-plus- year-old first-time teachers.
So, I ended up doing some volunteer
work which got ine a job with Mt.
Hood, which then got me into adult
education,” she said.
“I worked at Mt. Hood and PCC
for a while, and then saw an opening
and applied out here,” Daugherty
said. “At one point, I was working
for all three colleges. Eventually, it
got to the point where I could drop
one because I got more hours at the
other.” She’s been here ever since.
The biggest change in the pro
gram since Daugherty came here
five years ago was when the GED
test changed. All the high school,
Pre-GED, and GED were once
mixed together and are now separate
“so that we may serve them individ
ually,” Daugherty said.
Also, enrollment in the GED
department has seen a rise in the last
two years. “I think there has been a
lot [more enrollment] because of
SIM/CAM. SIM/CAM are the state
requirements you have to meet to. get
out of grade school, junior high and
high school; and thev requirements
seem to be so high for some students
that they give up,” Daugherty said.
“We’ve seen a large increase in
adults coming back for their GED,”
Daugherty added. “Usually, when
there’s a recession you’ll see adults
come back because they’re out of
work.”
Regardless of the reason one may
have for pursuing a GED, Daugherty
is here to help. As one of her former
pupils I give her two thumbs up and
five stars!
Retirees looking forward to new adventures
Zingarelli leaves after 22 years at Clackamas, still
wants to be involved with college’s literacy program
Rene Zingarelli is the Associate
Dean for the Extended Learning
Services Division. She has been a
part of CCC for 22 years. She has
taught in Alternate Programs and the
Learning Center. She took part in
restructuring the college, bringing
the Alternative Programs and the
Learning Center Departments into
the Extended Learning Service
Division.
“I am excited to part of the
Children’s Cancer Association,
which my family established after the
death of my granddaughter,” said
Zingarelli.
*
“It’s been a powerful learning
experience from day one. It is the
power of the community, with stu
dents, staff, and partners in the com
munity,” said Zingarelli. “I will miss
the people and the community. I will
figure out how to stay in touch.”
“There is no better community
college in the state of Oregon. The
community of leadership, faculty,
staff, and students - there’s just a
great level of quality,” *,~1J
Zingarelli.
“I think that my fondest memory
is being part of giving birth to so
many programs such as: Tri City
Alternative Program, the Targeted
Learning Center, and The Young
Parent Opportunity Program,” said
Zingarelli.
When she retires she intends to
take some art classes, travel, and just
let projects emerge. In addition, she
wants to still be involved in the col
lege by helping out with the literacy
program.
Conklin retires after 28-year career in CCC automotive department, plans on
parting own repair shop after leaving Clackamas this year
Ray Conklin has been working
at CCC for 28 years, from Sept. 15,
1975 to Dec. 31, 2002. He is the
Automotive Department Chair. In
addition to that, he is also the
Oregon Contest Manager for the
Ford AAA Student Auto Skill
Competition.
“I have gained the ability to do
what I love, to do that in depth, and
the ability to help others to do the
same,” said Conklin.
More than anything else Conklin
loved teaching electrical systems
over the last 20 years. He also has
worked at many auto repair shops,
and taught at a college in Michigan.
Sadly, Conklin’s retirement has
come far too soon. He was planning
on staying for two more years, but is
retiring now because of PERS.
“Greatest bunch of people to
work with, easy to manage... they
make my job easier,” said Conklin in
reference to his coworkers.
Conklin is planning on starting
his own repair shop after he retires
this year.
Lundy, retiring from Clackamas after 28 years, hopes to get out of lounge chair
long enough to continue teaching part-time
Dan Lundy is the
Engineering Science Department
Chair. He has been working at CCC
for the past 28 years.
“I guess I have gained a job that I
love and the ability to make contact
with lots of people, faculty and stu
dents,” said Lundy. “The college is a
great place to work. I am really
enthusiastic with the area I have
been teaching, about how to make
water cleaner and safer. We enjoy
some of the best rivets, streams, and
photos by LUKE MAHAN Clackamas Print
sâls
drinking water in the country.”
“My fondest memories are with
the people I work with here and the
students I had, to see them pursue
their own careers,” said Lundy.
After Lundy retires he will
“Certainly look for~ a lounge
chair.. .ha ha, but honestly I hope life
won’t change, hope to still be a part
of the Engineering Science
Department. I really enjoy teaching
part-time.”
compiled by Mark Falling