CMC Professor Staib Wins an Emmy

October 28, 2019 By cmctestgenesis

Associate Professor of Social Science Patrick Staib and his father, Walter Staib.

Associate Professor of CMC Social Science Patrick Staib and his father, Walter Staib.

CMC Professor Patrick Staib won an Emmy for his work as Producer/Co-Host for the “A Sentimental Journey Through Nicaragua”- A Taste of History TV series. Staib’s father, Walter, also won an Emmy for his role as Program Host/Moderator.

Patrick is an Associate Professor of Social Sciences and Affiliated Faculty with the Sustainability Studies degree program at CMC Steamboat Springs.

The episode was a tribute to Patrick’s mother, Gloria, who passed away in 2016. The cooking and history show episode delves into the culture and cuisine of Gloria’s homeland, Nicaragua.

This was his first episode at the reigns as producer. It was “trial by fire,” Patrick said. “It was an example of applied anthropology.”

Read the complete Steamboat Pilot story: CMC professor wins Emmy for work on ‘A Taste of History’ episode

From the Congo to Colorado

October 28, 2019 By cmctestgenesis

Assistant Professor Jean Kaya is the newest member to join Colorado Mountain College’s teacher education program. Originally from the Republic of the Congo, Kaya recently earned his doctorate degree in curriculum and instruction from Southern Illinois University. Photo Ed Kosmicki

The newest faculty member to join Colorado Mountain College’s teacher education program comes to his position by way of the Republic of the Congo. After coming to the U.S. as a Fulbright Foreign Student to complete his master’s degree, Dr. Jean Kaya has been in the United States for several years.

He studied and taught at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where he recently earned his doctorate in curriculum and instruction. Now he’s settling into life in Colorado, and into his work as an assistant professor in CMC’s teacher education program.

He’s based at both CMC Vail Valley at Edwards and CMC Glenwood Springs. This semester, he’s spending more time at the Edwards campus where he’s teaching two classes: Methods of Primary Literacy Instruction and How People Learn. He’s also co-teaching an internship seminar and providing field support to CMC student teachers.

A multilinguist’s education

Kaya earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in modern foreign languages from Marien Ngouabi University in Brazzaville, Congo. At Southern Illinois University Carbondale, he earned both his doctorate and received a second master’s in teaching English to speakers of other languages.

Kaya said the Republic of the Congo is a country with approximately 67 ethnic languages in addition to two national languages and French, the language of education and administration. He speaks three Congolese languages fluently: Kituba, Lingala and Beembe. He also speaks fluent French and English, as well as conversational Spanish.

Kaya believes his background is well-suited for teaching CMC students to be effective teachers in American schools.

“Teachers in the U.S. are finding themselves teaching in the same classes both English learners and native speakers of English,” Kaya said. “My language and teaching expertise and the diversity in my classes are, I believe, two of the major aspects that contribute to the wealth of future educators’ learning experiences.”

Equivalent and able: Bridging the high school diploma gap

October 25, 2019 By cmctestgenesis

Ana Reyes is a high school equivalency, or HSE, assistant instructor at Colorado Mountain College Dillon. A graduate of the program, she helps teach students preparing for HSE testing to earn a high school equivalency diploma.

Two decades ago, Ana Reyes came to the United States. She didn’t speak English and she didn’t have a high school diploma.

Today, she is an active member of the Summit County community. She’s raised five children, learned English, earned her high school equivalency certification, is taking classes toward a Bachelor of Arts in education and holds down several jobs.

One of Reyes’ jobs is as an assistant instructor at Colorado Mountain College Dillon, helping students to bridge the gap between Spanish and English in courses that prepare them for HSE testing.

High school equivalency, or HSE, is similar to the more familiar GED, or general equivalency diploma. Both require different tests that measure a student’s mastery of high school curriculum. Passing these tests help community members who haven’t graduated from high school earn their credentials, which often leads to better paying jobs and improved opportunities.

Helping people prepare

Colorado Mountain College, with its 11 campuses and learning locations throughout much of the state’s mountain region, offers non-credit classes, certificates, and associate and bachelor’s degrees in over a hundred academic areas. What you may not know is that CMC also helps people prepare for these high school equivalency tests.

Faculty and tutors work directly with students to review content, take quizzes and strengthen students’ skills in reading, writing and math.

During the past year, over 30 students have studied for their high school equivalency tests through CMC Breckenridge and Dillon. A full cohort of students are currently taking semester-long courses to prepare for HSE and GED testing. In January, CMC’s spring semester will offer a new series of preparatory courses.

The Summit County business and philanthropic communities have enthusiastically supported these efforts. The Summit Foundation, the Colorado Grand and most recently the Rotary Club of Summit County are among the organizations that have recognized the need to provide funds for these educational efforts.

A transition to new heights

Among other areas of responsibility, CMC’s School of Transitional Education administers the college’s HSE and GED program, which provides instruction from assistants such as Reyes and from credentialed faculty. The program offers a rigorous academic curriculum and career development that ultimately leads to graduates who are well prepared to enter the workforce.

“Our high school equivalency program supports students with three options to earn their high school equivalency diplomas,” said Dr. Yvette Myrick, the dean of the college’s School of Transitional Education. “At our testing centers students can take the GED exam, or two other high school equivalency exams: the HiSET or the Test Assessing Secondary Completion.”

Under direction from Myrick, the college’s program also helps students transition from ESL and HSE classes to enter postsecondary education to earn a degree or career and technical certificate. The college offers classes with a focus on career pathways, in areas such as food service and teacher education.

“Also, the college now accepts results that students receive from the GED College Ready and GED College Ready + Credit programs,” she said. “If a student receives a high score on certain subjects for the GED, they can enroll in college-level courses. They can also receive credit for college-level courses based on their GED scores. These courses are offered at several CMC locations from Leadville to Basalt.”

According to Myrick, in the past few years, students who started their educational journey in ESL or HSE classes at CMC have transitioned to postsecondary education and training, and to career and technical programs, in significant numbers. Over 5,000 ESL and HSE students have enrolled in postsecondary education and training courses or CTE programs at the college.

“The School of Transitional Education, through a variety of innovative educational programs, is continually striving to help students transition to reaching new heights by achieving their educational and career goals,” she said.

Sustainability Studies to Sustainable Jobs

October 24, 2019 By cmctestgenesis

From left, Mikayla Curtis, Nikki Maline and Bailey Matthews have all landed jobs using the knowledge they gained from studying sustainability at CMC in Edwards. Photo Ed Kosmicki

Students in CMC’s sustainability program graduate to successful careers

Nikki Maline arrived in Eagle County from Nebraska in 1997 with an Associate of Arts degree from Mid-Plains Community College in North Platte. Since then, she’d gone into real estate. She received her real estate broker associate license with the state of Colorado in 2005, but something wasn’t right for her.

That’s when she decided to earn her bachelor’s degree in sustainability studies at Colorado Mountain College in Edwards. She graduated in May 2015.

“It was so perfect,” she said of studying sustainability. “It made such sense to me.”

Today, Maline is the energy programs coordinator at Walking Mountains Science Center in Avon, where a number of CMC students, graduates and faculty have either worked, interned or been associated, such as its founder, Kim Langmaid.

Now 41, Maline, with her sustainability studies degree in hand, says her whole world has turned around.

“I love my job,” she said of her work, which includes serving as an energy coach for individuals and businesses. “It’s a totally different working environment than real estate. I can make a difference.”

Early education to sustainable solar energy

Coincidentally, Bailey Matthews also came to Eagle County from Nebraska. After getting her associate degree from Western Nebraska Community College, she came to Colorado and taught special education at Battle Mountain High School for seven years. All the while, Matthews took night classes at Colorado Mountain College.

Like Maline, however, Matthews was looking for a different focus in her life, so when she learned that the college offered a bachelor’s degree in sustainability studies, she registered for the program.

“One of the things I liked about getting my degree with CMC’s sustainability program,” Matthews, 32, said, “was that there was no preaching. Mercedes [Associate Professor of Sustainability Studies Dr. Mercedes Quesada-Embid] is brilliant. She teaches without judgment. She gives her students the power to decide. And it was affordable. I was able to graduate without a huge student loan.”

Since Matthews graduated last May, she has moved from elementary education to solar energy. Today, she’s the solar project manager at Active Energies in Minturn, working with a team consulting, designing and building solar systems for residential and commercial construction.

And there’s another advantage.

“I can bring my dog to work,” she said with a smile.

Sustainability in all its forms

Mikayla Curtis already had two college degrees when she decided to study for a sustainability leadership certificate. A native of the Vail Valley and an alumna of Vail Christian High School, she received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Puget Sound and her master’s degree in negotiation, conflict resolution and peacebuilding from California State University, Dominquez Hills.

Because of her interest and past experience in family and youth development – she had overseen leadership development programs for SOS Outreach in Edwards, for example – Curtis was most interested in studying sustainable social science, such as food systems and cultural equity.

“The certificate program pieced together a little bit of everything,” Curtis, 32, said. “It relates to sustainable family structures, and what kind of priorities are needed for social equity.”

While completing the certificate’s 15 credit hours in December 2014, Curtis accepted a position as the resource development coordinator, and more recently as the manager of strategic impact at Eagle River Youth Coalition in Edwards, which collaborates with other organizations to build strong community support for youth.

For Maline, Matthews and Curtis, though their careers are in diverse areas such as energy and science education, solar and green building, or providing youth with ongoing opportunities, sustainability links them all together.

“[Our careers] are all intertwined and connected,” said Maline.

Going up? ‘Hope and Gravity’ Looks at Life in an Elevator

October 16, 2019 By cmctestgenesis

A scene from the play, "Hope and Gravity"

From left, Michael Banks, Bostyn Elswick, Christina Cappelli and James Steindler in a scene from “Hope and Gravity,” Sopris Theatre Company’s first production of the season, which opens Oct. 18 at CMC Spring Valley. Photo Scot Gerdes

Going up? ‘Hope and Gravity’ looks at life in an elevator

A dislodged elevator falling multiple stories turns out to be a ripe setting for studying human relationships. That’s what playwright Michael Hollinger discovered when he wrote “Hope and Gravity,” the comedic drama that opens Sopris Theatre Company’s season on Oct. 18 at Colorado Mountain College Spring Valley at Glenwood Springs.

It’s rare for a theater company to produce a play that it has closely followed since its inception. However, that’s what happened with “Hope and Gravity.” In 2012, Hollinger came to Aspen with his new play, which was performed as a staged reading during the Aspen Fringe Festival.

“I spoke with Michael at that point about my interest in the show,” said director Brad Moore, Sopris Theatre Company’s theater operations manager. “We stayed in contact and he let me know when the piece would actually be published. Gary [Ketzenbarger, Sopris Theatre Company’s program director] read the script and thought it would play well in this season.”

For Sopris Theatre Company, being one of the first companies to produce the play is gratifying.

“The play was just published,” Moore said. “It has had many workshop productions and readings in development, but is now in its final form. It’s exciting to present newer works. Michael is a terrific playwright and an important voice in the American theater.”

Students and community members

Two actors in a scene from "Hope and Gravity."

From left, Joshua Adamson and Bostyn Elswick in a scene from “Hope and Gravity.” Photo Scot Gerdes

The cast comprises both Colorado Mountain College students and Roaring Fork Valley actors. Five cast members play nine roles, doubling up per the playwright’s instructions as they weave in and out of one another’s lives. Three of the cast members are CMC students and two are community members, one of whom is a CMC graduate. All of the stage crew are CMC students.

“The setting is in a contemporary urban environment,” Moore said. “We felt this script offered a diverse and wonderful collection of characters for our students and community members to explore.”

Moore said the play is composed of nine scenes, which originally were a series of short plays. As a play they’re tied together.

“The additional challenge is that the scenes are out of order,” he said. “The show opens with scene six and closes with scene three. That is very much in keeping with the themes in the play. The idea that there is a random nature to how our lives play out. We can make plans and set goals. Sometimes life doesn’t follow a predictable path.”

First in the season

“Hope and Gravity” opens Sopris Theatre Company at Colorado Mountain College’s 2019-20 season; three more productions will follow. “The Veil” written by Conor McPherson and directed by G. Thomas Cochran runs Nov. 30-Dec. 8. “American La Ronde” by written Steven Dietz and directed by Gary Ketzenbarger runs Feb. 14-23, and “Kiss Me, Kate” with book by Sam and Bella Spewack, music by Cole Porter and directed by Brad Moore runs April 3-19. Tickets are available at Eventbrite.com.

“Hope and Gravity” at Spring Valley

Show times

Friday, Oct. 18, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 19, 7 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 20, 2 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 25, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 26, 7 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 27, 2 p.m.

Tickets

$18 adults

$13 seniors and CMC students, employees and graduates

Individual and season tickets are available at Eventbrite.com

Box office: svticketsales@coloradomtn.edu or contact Brad Moore at 970-947-8187, bmoore@coloradomtn.edu.

CMC Veterinary Technology Tour and Open House

October 14, 2019 By cmctestgenesis

Colorado Mountain College’s Veterinary Technology Club invites the community to tour the program’s 220-acre center and teaching hospital at Colorado Mountain College Spring Valley on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This free open house coincides with National Veterinary Technician Week.

Staff and students will provide tours and information on careers in veterinary technology at the free, family-friendly event. There will be a scavenger hunt, and guest speakers will give presentations at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sandwiches and snacks will be available. Any donations are appreciated.

Animals of all sizes and shapes, such as Slinky the ferret, will be on hand to meet visitors at the CMC vet tech farm open house and tour at Spring Valley on Oct. 19. Photo Cheyenne Stice

In addition to seeing the veterinary technology lab, small animal hospital and equine barn, guests will meet a variety of furry friends including horses, cattle, goats, pigs, sheep, rodents, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs and hedgehogs – and even snakes and a bearded dragon.

Visitors are asked to leave their own pets at home, since the USDA regulates that no unauthorized animals be permitted on the premises or in vehicles.

The CMC veterinary technology center and teaching hospital is located at 3000 County Road 114, Glenwood Springs (across from the main Spring Valley campus, past Colorado Animal Rescue).

For more information contact Dr. Jeff Myers at jmyers@coloradomtn.edu, or call CMC Spring Valley at 970-945-7481.