logo - Colorado Mountain College
Request Info |
Apply | Basecamp | Español

  • space-31px-heightABOUT
      • The CMC Life
        • Locations & Campuses
        • Snapshot
        • Videos & Tours
        • Residence Halls
        • Student Life
        • Athletics
        • Sustainable CMC
        • CMC Campus Store
        • CMC News
      • About CMC
        • About Us
        • Accreditation
        • Board of Trustees
        • President’s Office
        • CMC Senior Team
        • Strategic Plan; Vision, Mission, Values & Principles
        • CMC Foundation
        • Safety & Security
        • COVID-19 Information
        • Work for CMC
    • Close
  • cmc-slash-30px-2ptACADEMICS
      • Academics
        • Academic Pathways
        • Programs / Degrees
        • Academics at CMC
        • Academic Calendar
        • Academic Catalog
        • Study Abroad
        • Business & Industry
        • College Preparation
      • Classes
        • Classes
        • Community Education
        • HSE / GED
        • ESL / Clases de Inglés
        • High School-Concurrent
        • Registering Information
      • Support
        • Student Services
        • Libraries
        • Career Services
        • Textbooks / Learning Materials Program
        • Registrar’s Office
        • Transcripts
    • Close
  • cmc-slash-30px-2ptADMISSIONS
      • Admissions
        • Get Started - Admissions
        • Admissions Events
        • Parents & Families
        • Veterans & Military
        • New Student Orientation
        • Transfer to CMC
        • Your Right to Know
      • Cost + Financial Aid
        • Tuition & Costs
        • Special Tuition Rates
        • Net Price Calculator
        • How to Pay for College
        • Financial Aid
        • Scholarships
        • Payment Plan
    • Close
  • cmc-slash-30px-2ptCAMPUSES
      • Residential
        • Leadville
        • Spring Valley at Glenwood Springs
        • Steamboat Springs
      • Commuter
        • Aspen
        • Breckenridge & Dillon
        • Carbondale
        • Glenwood Springs
        • Rifle
        • Salida
        • Vail Valley at Edwards
      • Locations
        • Central Services
        • Morgridge Commons
    • Close
  • cmc-slash-30px-2ptALUMNI
    • Alumni
    • Close

Home / From the Congo to Colorado

From the Congo to Colorado

October 28, 2019 By cmctestgenesis

Assistant Professor Jean Kaya

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.”

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Education, Home Page

Skip footer and return to top

@Colorado Mountain College

Contact / Campus Locations / Maps

CMC Board of Trustees

CMC Foundation

Community & Partnerships

Departments / Contact

Directory of Faculty & Staff

Donate to CMC

Employment

Website

Site Feedback

Site Login

Legal

Student Consumer Information

Report a Concern/Incident @ CMC Cares

Notice of Nondiscrimination

Privacy Policy

logo - Colorado Mountain College

© 2023 / Colorado Mountain College
Administrative Office: +1-970-945-8691
802 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601

logo - Colorado Mountain College

© 2023 / Colorado Mountain College
Administrative Office: +1-970-945-8691 / 802 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601