The Oracles is a publication of the Public Information and Marketing Office. Read it in full color each week–visit www.alamancecc.edu, then click Oracles under the News heading.

Looking AheAd

theOraclesThe number of candidates being considered for ACC’s next president has been narrowed to six by

members of a search committee, comprised of College trustees, business leaders, faculty and a student. ACC began its search for a successor to President Martin Nadelman after he announced his retire-

ment effective Oct. 1. The pool of 53 applicants from across the nation was narrowed to 29, then to 12, and now six.

The names of the six are expected to be announced soon. After they are interviewed in late May, the list will be narrowed to three. The three remaining candidates will have their backgrounds checked by the N.C. State Board of Community Colleges. A new ACC president is likely be selected in late June.

April 29, 2013 Alamance Community College Weekly Newsletter

April 30Arts & Sciences Convocation, 11:30 a.m., Auditorium, details on P2

May 5ACC Memorial Garden Dedication, 2 p.m.

May 7-10Final Exams

May 11Saturday Classes End

May 12Mother’s Day

May 13Monday Evening Classes Held; No Day ClassesPayment Deadline for Early Summer

Registrations

Employee Service AwardsACC Art Gallery Displaying Art/Photography from Graphic Design Competition

It’s a Wrap for the Horticulture Hydroponic GreenhouseMemorial Garden Dedication Set for May 5FREE College Test Prep Courses in Math and English

CAMPuS LIFE: Sigma Psi Silent Walk; PTK Community Service; Music & Dance Club Dance Marathon; Sigma Delta Mu Helps Students in Costa Rica

P2

P5

P6

Continuing Education Instructor of the YearExam Cram This Week; NC Sci-Fi Author to Speak

Adjunct Instructors Honored; Scenes from Culture Day

see P2see P5

see Insert

Search for ACC’s Next President Narrows to Six Finalists

InSIDE THIS ISSuE

Student teacher Penny Rountree (right) discusses learning materials with lead teacher Jay Cotton at South Graham Elementary School.

See RounTREE on page 2

Penny Rountree works hard as a teacher assistant at South Graham Elementary School where she helps in the EC (Excep-tional Children) class which includes stu-dents diagnosed as autistic. This spring on Mondays and Wednesdays, she finishes her duties about half past three o’clock, heads over to the main campus at Ala-mance Community College, and studies for her six o’clock biology class in the Pow-ell Building. After she graduates with her associate’s degree this summer, her edu-cation is only just beginning as she trans-fers to study for her bachelor’s degree in elementary education, and prepares for her student teaching--all while continuing to work at South Graham Elementary.

Penny is one of more than a dozen teacher assistants working in the Alamance-Bur-lington School System (ABSS) currently at a mid- or late-stage level in their quest to become fully certified elementary school teachers. Many are student teaching in Alamance County this spring while enrolled in their final semester at a Greens-boro-based four-year college or university. A few have completed their journey and are teaching full-time. Others, like Penny Rountree, are finish-ing up their associate degree and planning to transfer to study for their bachelor’s degree.

All of these women, most of them non-tradi-tional students, have something else in common: they started on this journey at Alamance Com-munity College through a state-funded program called the Model Teacher Education Consortium. The Consortium, initiated in 2007, offered tuition assistance, PRAXIS preparation courses and other

ACC Initiative: Training School Teachers for Alamance County

services to teacher assistants who worked in one of their partner school systems, including ABSS.

Cathy Johnson, Associate Dean of Arts and Sci-ences at ACC, spearheaded the partnership with Rhonda Schuller, who was at that time profession-al development coordinator for ABSS. They want-ed to initiate a program to grow more teachers who would remain in Alamance County to teach. Johnson says the teacher assistants are less likely to leave the community because they began their careers at Alamance-Burlington Schools.

In fall 2007, Johnson and representatives from area universities and from the Model Teacher Consortium, met with about 50 teacher assistants at the school system central office to present the tenets of the program. More than half took them up on their offer.

P2 NEWS/EvENTS ConTInuInG EDuCATIon InSTRuCToR oF THE YEAR HETTIE MooRE, Stained Glass Instructor

� A stained glass student at ACC since 1989, she was asked by the owner of Burlington’s The Glass Angel shop to teach a few classes there as a substitute. In 2002, Hettie began substitute teaching for ACC’s stained glass classes one night a week. Today she teaches four classes per week.

� Hettie goes above and beyond to help students with their stained glass projects, sometimes calling her for “glass emergencies”; she often picks up students who need a ride to class

� Has served as project advisor for several high school students on their graduation projects; helped organize several stained glass quilts that were donated to Hospice

� Facilitated the completion of stained glass projects of students who passed away as a gift to the families

CoME To THE ACC ART GALLERYWHAT: The art on display repre-

sents student submissions for the 27th Annual Juried Graphic Arts Competition.

WHEN: Now through Thursday, May 2

WHERE: Lobby, first floor of Gee Building

SuMMER & FALL 2013 REGISTRATIon DATESMonday, April 29 Registration opens for new and

non-degree students (WebAdvi-sor registration opens at 8 a.m.)

May 8 CCP priority registration–Students

taking courses on ACC campus, held in Academic Advising Center, 4 p.m.

Monday, May 13 Payment deadline for summer

term–5 p.m.

Tuesday, May 14 All unpaid summer registrations

purged (No registration, on campus or WebAdvisor)

EMPLoYEE nEWS

Two employees received service pins at the April faculty/staff meet-ing for their years of service to the College.

Barbara Williams–15 yearsSecretary, Child Care Center

Deborah Todd–5 years Telecommunications Specialist

RounDTREE from page 1“Those who work as teacher

assistants have invaluable class-room experience,” explained Johnson. “When they decide to return to school to become licensed teachers, they have al-ready made a commitment to education and to our students. These teacher assistants are fully involved in our community and our school system in their current jobs. By committing the time and resources it takes to return to school, they endeavor to play a larger part in the educa-tion of children in [the Alamance-Burlington] school system.”

Penny Rountree, Teacher Assistant at South Graham Elementary

By the time she graduated from her Eden-ton high school in 1982, Penny’s memories of a childhood partly spent helping younger chil-dren with books had not diminished and she was hired by a daycare center. But as the years went on, she realized she wanted more. On the advice of friends, she interviewed for teacher assistant positions in Alamance County and wound up with a job for 12 years with Excep-tional Children (EC), first at Hillcrest Elementary and later at Pleasant Grove. Last year she arrived at South Graham Elementary where she assists lead teacher Jay Cotton in a K-1 class populated by a small group of boys with autism.

Says Penny: “I loved it. I wouldn’t have traded it for anything.”

It is a class that, for many educators, might be a difficult one. But Penny will tell you she loves what she does there. And it’s one reason why her interest was piqued at the Model Teacher Education Consortium meeting back in 2007.

“I knew being a teacher assistant was limited, but I was always unsure about whether I could get through school at my age,” she says. “So I definitely had some apprehension.”

Penny took her time, enrolling at ACC in spring 2008, and taking classes while continu-

ing to work as a teacher assistant at South Graham. But now Penny can see the first of her goals in reach as she finishes up her final ACC class, a biology course taught by Heather New-man two nights a week. With associate’s degree in hand later this summer, she next transfers to a four-year school (she hasn’t yet decided on Greensboro College or Guilford College) this fall to study for her bachelor’s in elementary educa-tion. It won’t be easy—continuing to work as teacher assistant at South Graham and driving to Greensboro in the afternoons—but she is confident that two years from now she’ll be do-ing her student teaching in Alamance County in the final stage of becoming a licensed teacher for EC students.

“I have come farther than I imagined,” she says. “This is my dream of becoming a licensed teacher so I can be an advocate for these children.”

Next week’s Oracles: Meet two ACC graduates now doing their student teaching in Alamance County.

Penny Rountree is finishing up her degree requirements this spring at ACC by taking biology two nights a week after working at South Graham during the day.

Arts and Sciences Convocation

April 30, 11:30 a.m.auditorium

Everyone is invited.� ACC Writers’ Contest� Departmental Awards� Graphic Design Competition� Arts and Sciences Academic

Awards�Scholarships

“I have come farther than I imagined. This is my dream of becoming a licensed teacher so I can be an advocate for these children.”

Hettie Moore

Culture Day 2013Sponsored by ACC’s Diversity Committee, the annual Culture Day was enjoyed by students and employees last week with an outdoor food and entertainment festival celebrating diversity and various cultures. The range of activities included free international finger food from Culinary Arts and Thai and Japanese restaurants; student club displays; and a culturally diverse mix of music and dance.

P4 NEWS/EvENTS

Congratulations!

Adjunct Instructors Honored for Years of Service

The Office of Educational Programs and Services, and Executive Vice President Dr. Gene Couch, paid tribute to more than 100 part-time instructors for their many years of serving Alamance Community College. These citizens teach in a variety of curricula, including GED, Criminal Justice, Motorcycle Safety, Fire Service, Adult Basic Education, Accounting, Acrylic Painting, and many others. While not all adjunct instructors were able to attend a luncheon in their honor, those who did were photographed afterward per their years of service.

11-15 years of service

CRAIG YARboRouGH JR. (fire service) has taught the longest of any current adjunct instructor: 45 years.

G.H. bALDWIn (woodworking) and YvonnE MCPHERSon (oil & acrylic painting) have both taught 41 years.

26-30 years of service

21-25 years of service

16-20 years of service

5-10 years of service

NEWS/EvENTS P5Student SnapShot

Chris seip

Q. Your curriculum and why you chose it?

A. University transfer, planning to enroll at NC State to study geology (after 2014 ACC graduation).

Q. What you wish people knew about you–but probably don’t?

A. I’m in a metal band, Sethia.Q. Your 15 minutes of fame

(a time when you received recognition/won a contest/performed, etc.)?

A. At a jazz festival, I played 3 trumpet solos in front of 1,000 people.

Q. Something you always want-ed to do–but haven’t yet?

A. Visit family in Minnesota. Q. Something you can’t live

without?A. Oxygen and hockey.Q. If you could visit any place in

the world for free, where?A. Mykonos, Greece.Q. TV program you never miss?A. Breaking Bad.Q. What person (living or dead)

would you most like to have dinner with, and what would you ask him/her?

A. Tomas Kalnoky of the band Streetlight Manifesto. I’d ask him where he gets his inspiration.

GET THE 411ExAM CRAM IS MAY 2WHAT: Exam Cram gives students

free tutoring by volunteer fac-ulty in the following subjects: Anatomy & Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, English, Geology, His-tory, Math, Physics, Psychology, Spanish, and Sociology. Check the schedule posted in the Student Activities Center.

WHEN: Thursday, May 2, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in Student Activities Center

ACC MEMoRIAL GARDEn DEDICATED MAY 5

The ACC Memorial Garden will be officially dedicated this Sunday, May 5, 2:00 p.m. to remember 18 employees who died between 1965-2012 while still in full-time service. Friends and family are invited to attend the ceremony. Guests must RSVP Natalie Miles (336-506-4102).

APPLY noW FoR SuMMER FInAnCIAL AID

The ACC Foundation has funding available for students to attend class-es this summer.

� Students who are Pell-eligible or already have their FAFSA on file must complete the 2-page ACC Foundation scholarship aid application.

� Applications are available at the Financial Aid office (G116) or online at www.alamancecc.edu/financial-aid-site/files/2012/10/Scholarship_Application.pdf.

� Students should have their appli-cation forms submitted by May 1.

bRuSH-uP CLASSES In MATH AnD EnGLISH

BSP 2000 classes are fREE Place-ment Test Prep classes in math and English for students preparing to take the college placement tests.

Here’s the upcoming schedule: May 6-30, 1-4 p.m. & 6-9 p.m.

(math)June 3-27, 1-4 p.m. & 6-9 p.m.

(English) � Call 506-4376 or email

Assessment.Center@alamancecc.edu to register. Indicate name, phone number, session time and subject(s) needed.

� Deadline to sign up for any Placement Test Prep class is Wednesday, one week before the scheduled class time.

nC SCI-FI AuTHoR To SPEAKWHO: Science-fiction/fantasy author,

Dr. John Kessel. His fiction has twice won the Nebula Award and many other literary awards.

WHEN/WHERE: Wednesday, May 1, Auditorium, 2 p.m.

BEST BET: Dr. Kessel will read from his works, answer questions from the au-dience, and sign copies of his books, available in the ACC bookstore. Spon-sored by ACC’s Creative Writing Club.

ACC ADvERTISES

‘GREEn’ InITIATIvES.

Matt Gordon, sec-ond year graphic design student, holds his original design for a build-ing “wrap” of Hor-ticulture Technol-ogy’s hydroponic greenhouse that faces the interstate. On the ladder is Tim Cecil of TDS-The Decal Source, the company that specializes in this innovative work. Matt Gor-don’s design was selected by Horticulture Dept. Head Justin Snyder and ACC President Dr. Martin Nadelman, in a competition with other graphic design students to promote the efforts of Horti-culture Technology’s move toward sustainability. Gordon’s design needed to work with the greenhouse windows open and closed to accommodate the controlled temperature in the greenhouse. Supervising the promotional efforts were Advertising and Graphic Design instructors David Davenport, art direction, and Denise Archuleta, production management.

Dr. John Kessel

P6 CAMPuS HIGHlIGHTS

Campus Life

WALKAbouT. Sigma Psi and other concerned students and employees took part in a Silent Walk on the main campus to support victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence on April 25. Afterward, a representative from Crossroads, a local sexual assault response and resource center, spoke in the auditorium.

PTK MEMbERS In CoMMunITY SERvICE. Phi Theta Kappa members recently participated in two community service efforts. Above, PTK members who participated in the Haw River Cleanup on April 13 were (l-r) CLInTon SoRRoW, nGozIKA nWoKo, DuSTIn GAnToS, JEnnIFER HELMS, DILLon GAnToS, GRAHAM DICKEY, HAnnAH bREWER-JEnSEn, AnDREW SLoGGY, and CHELSEA GREEnHAW. For an Alamance County Relay for Life run, student members sold quesadillas during the relay to raise money for The American Cancer Society. At right, are members (l-r) MATTIE THoMPSon, CInDY PALoMo, DuSTIn GAnToS and DILLon GAnToS; (Photos submitted)

DAnCInG FoR A CAuSE. Members of ACC’s Music and Dance Club conducted a four-hour dance marathon in the student activities center on April 19, raising more than $230 for the ACC Foundation’s emergency distress fund. Participating in the dancing were (l-r) JuAn DARK (vP-elect), AbIGAIL HELMS (SGA representative-elect), faculty advisor LoRI HEIGER, and PEDRo ALEJo (vP and President-elect) .

HELPInG HAnDS ACRoSS THE AMERICAS. ACC’s Spanish Honor Society, Sigma Delta Mu, conducted a raffle earlier this semester with all proceeds going to help four disadvantaged high school students in Costa Rica with much needed supplies. Spanish Instructor CRISTY WAuGH, honor society advisor, spent the last three summers working in the Central American country and discovered the need via a college pal who works in the Peace Corps. The $275 raised by Sigma Delta Mu members at ACC paid for four scholarships, providing students with school uniforms required to attend school and class supplies. Pictured are the four student recipients who attend Colegio Tecnico San Pablo, in Leon Cortes, Costa Rica. (Photo submitted)