school of access annual report 2010 - 2011camosun.ca/learn/school/access/pdfs/report10-11.pdf ·...

School of Access Annual Report | 2010 - 2011

School of Access Camosun College2 3

WhAt iS the SChool of ACCeSS? for our students, the Camosun College School of Access is a doorway, a launch pad, a starting point – it’s not where they end up, but where they begin.

Many of our students have faced multiple barriers to education, including poverty or disability. But all come with the determination to make a positive change in their lives: to finally graduate from high school, to get a better job, to qualify for university, to improve their english.

And we have the privilege of cheering them on to the next step.

We deliver our programs both on campus and – unique to the School of Access – in the community, in partnership with community organizations, through eight departments:

We are also associated with Aboriginal education and Community Connections (AeCC), which offers services and programs for Aboriginal students, supports indigenous programs and courses, and helps develop and maintain links between Camosun College, Aboriginal students and the local first Nations community. (Please see the Aboriginal Education and Community Connections Annual Report 2010 - 2011 for more information.)

• AcademicandCareerFoundations,whichincludes:

○AcademicUpgrading–FundamentalandIntermediate

○BuildingEmploymentSuccessforTomorrow(BEST)

• AcademicUpgrading–CollegePreparatoryMathematics

• AcademicUpgrading–CollegePreparatoryEnglish

• AccesstoCareerandAcademicPrograms

• CommunityLearningPartnerships

• EmploymentTraining&Preparation

• EnglishLanguageDevelopment

• StudentAccessServices

Mission

the School of Access offers students educational opportunities. We support and strengthen students’ abilities to enrich their lives and communities.

Vision

the students and communities we serve are at the centre of our work and they know it.

shared Values

We value, celebrate, and honour:

•inclusive and accessible learning

•relationship, respect and dignity

•diversity and individual journeys

•integrity, quality and responsibility

•innovation, creativity, collaboration and relevance

•grace and compassion

Mission, Vision and Values

Camosun College serves the communities of southern Vancouver Island and the south Gulf Islands that are located in the traditional territories of the Esquimalt, Lkwungen, Malahat, Pacheedaht, Pauquachin, Scia’new, Tsartlip, Tsawout, Tseycum and T’Sou-ke Nations. We acknowledge their welcome and graciousness to the students who seek knowledge here.

Cover photo: Aspiring teacher Lorri Leonard (read more about Lorri on pg.13)


2010 - 2011 in Brief the School of Access had a very good year, with continuing high completion rates for our students and deepening relationships with such community partners as the Songhees Nation, WSÁNeĆ School Board, Victoria Native friendship Centre, our Place and Bridges for Women Society.

But we also went through some changes and faced some challenges that we know will continue into the future.

for example, we made the difficult decision in 2010 - 2011 to require tuition for the College Preparatory levels of our Academic Upgrading courses. While the B.C. government allocates a certain amount of funding for providing adult basic education, the amount we receive does not cover the costs for the number of students who take our courses: you could, in fact, say we are too successful for our own good. our choice was either to cut back on our offerings, which we did not want to do since, even as it is, we have to turn away students every year, or begin to charge tuition for a few select courses. We opted to charge tuition, but very carefully.

the tuition-required english and math courses are not the only courses that will fulfill prerequisites for other programs; students can take other, tuition-free options if they want to. in addition, for students who are upgrading at the same time as they are starting courses in a university-transfer program, the Access courses are now eligible for student loan funding.

our other major continuing challenge revolves around providing english as a second language training to both B.C. residents and international students. international students pay full tuition; domestic students are subsidized by the Province and pay less.

the challenge lies in the fact that the core funding we receive for domestic eSl students has remained the same for a number of years, while our costs have continued to rise, effectively resulting in a two percent reduction in funding per year. the solution, as we see it, is to attract more international students to Camosun, so we can continue to provide at least the same level of english language training to domestic students as we always have.

the Magic of Access Camosun College’s new Strategic Plan emphasizes the importance of inspiring lives and engaging communities. in the School of Access, we are so very lucky to be a part of that every day.

Access creates bridges for people to cross that start from the place where they are now. the first step may be in the community and the second on-campus. or the bridge may start with career exploration and move on to a better job – it doesn’t really matter. What matters is that our students come to us to begin a new phase in their lives, and that we provide them with what they need to make it to where they want to go.

our vision states that students are at centre of all we do. throughout this report, you will hear the voices of a number of students – along with faculty and community members – who have been touched and permanently changed by the work we do in the School of Access.

We are proud to work here, and proud to be unique: unique in this region in providing adult basic education at multiple levels, and unique across British Columbia in making that education accessible within so many different layers of the community.

i hope you enjoy reading this report, and that you come away from it like me: truly amazed, awed and inspired by the resilience, determination and strength of our students. i believe in many ways we learn just as much from them as they do from us.

that is the magic of Access.

Sarah Loewen

Acting Dean, School of Access Acting Director, Aboriginal education and Community Connections

Many students profiled in this report have received awards.

To learn how you can donate to Camosun College, please visit camosun.ca/foundation.


highlights of 2010 - 2011

• Over the Fall 2010 and Winter 2011 terms, many future welders, carpenters, auto-mechanics, plumbers and health care assistants finished their prerequisites in the foundations department. in all, 34 students completed trades math courses, while 20 completed english for trades or english for health Care Assistants – demonstrating healthy interest in these fields at a time when there is a significant shortage of both qualified trades people and health care workers.

• Instructor Linda Edmond celebrated 15 years at Camosun College this past year, but her teaching is still just as fresh as the day she started. to prove it, she received a 2010 excellence Award from the texas-based National institute for Staff and organizational Development (NiSoD).

• With grace, hard work and good humour, Instructor Rick McFadden was instrumental in helping Camosun College become one of the first colleges in B.C. to adopt a new curriculum for fundamental Math that allows students to complete courses in smaller chunks. our students have told us that they like the greater sense of accomplishment they feel as they finish each module.

Who We are

Many students arrive on campus who didn’t finish high school, or who did finish, but are missing english or math prerequisites or basic computer skills.

We provide fundamental and intermediate english, math and computer courses to satisfy prerequisites and help prepare students to enter trades or career programs or to move along to further studies. Many of our courses, such as Math for trades, Math for Professional Cooks and english for health Care Assistants, use materials that are relevant to specific Camosun programs.

For more information on Academic Upgrading, please go to camosun.ca/upgrade.

Academic Upgrading – fundamental and intermediate hellion to serious student, by Way of acadeMic upgrading

twenty-eight-year-old leah Wharf is planning to become a nurse, “someone who helps people through hard times” – a pretty serious goal for someone who describes herself as a “hellion” in her youth. “i had other priorities,” she says, “which is why i dropped out in Grade 10. i didn’t care about school then, but i always thought i’d go back. i just didn’t think it would take me 10 years!”

Scared and anxious, like many who decide to return to school after a long time away, leah had to force herself to take the assessment tests Camosun requires. When those tests indicated she needed to take intermediate english and math, she had to force herself again to actually come on campus and begin – but that reluctance didn’t last long.

“it’s amazing what happens when you finally get here,” says leah. “the atmosphere, the teachers – they really want you to do well, to succeed. i’m an A student now. i’ve actually shocked and surprised myself.”

once through her intermediate upgrading, leah moved on immediately to College Preparatory courses. Now, she’s looking forward to the “endless opportunities” nursing can bring, with a good salary and a real future. “i found out that no matter what you’ve done in your life, there are people here to help and guide you. it’s really intimidating to go back, and i’m still anxious about tests and papers, but once you’re in, it’s fantastic.”

giVing students a head start

“It can be really discouraging when you’ve finally decided to go back to school for a particular program or you want to apply for a certain job, only to discover that you have to upgrade first,” says Foundations department chair, Jill Auchinachie. “We try to turn that discouragement around by providing program-specific courses – like math for trades – that help students get to where they want to go in an efficient way.”

Leah Wharf

ACADeMiC AND CAReeR foUNDAtioNS

the Academic and Career foundations department provides Academic Upgrading for students who want or need to upgrade their english, math and computer literacy skills, and Building employment Success for tomorrow (BeSt) for those who are in the process of making important decisions about their future careers. “

it’s neVer too late

Arnel Bonzon started in the English Language Development department in Fall 2010, but his instructors quickly suggested he move into Foundations English and math. “When I started school, I was nervous and scared,” Arnel says, “and I was embarrassed because of my age. I felt like I was too old to go back to school. But it’s true that it’s never too late to go back. My future goal is to become a carpenter.” “

Arnel Bonzon


Who We are

BeSt helps people determine a new path in both work and life by realistically examining their interests, abilities, skills and potential. for some, that new path may mean going back to school; for others, it may mean returning to work or changing careers.

the main BeSt program is offered as an eight-week, full-time program twice in the fall and winter with most classes at the interurban campus. An abridged BeSt for Aboriginal students is a core component of the indigenous human Services Career Access Program; we also offer a part-time program – called CP-BeSt – in partnership with the Capital Mental health Association.

For more information on the BEST program, please go to camosun.ca/best.


• Will Gordon and Debbie Flint, both Education Coaches with the Capital Mental health Association, recruited 16 students with mental health issues for the fall 2010 CP-BeSt program. A remarkable 90 per cent completed the program, and 11 are now pursuing further education.

• We finished developing a new BEST program for First Nations students to be delivered on-site at the Songhees employment learning Centre beginning in fall 2011. (Please see Community Learning Partnerships for more on this new program.)

Building employment Success for tomorrow (BeSt)lighting a spark for a neW and better future

A year or so ago, Candace forbes had reached a place in her life that many people reach, where she knew she needed to make some changes but didn’t know what or how. “i was going through a major transition,” she says, “where my living situation had changed on top of being off work on long-term disability and receiving treatment for stress, anxiety and depression.”

Candace had held a great job as a graphic designer – a job she had worked very hard to get – but somehow it was just not right for her. She knew that simply going back to work would not help her figure out a new and better direction – “when you’re in a nine-to-five job, with a child at home, there’s no time to figure out anything” – but fortunately she found out about BeSt at just the right time.

“Someone mentioned it in passing,” Candace says, “and i remembered it because it sounded like the perfect thing for me: eight weeks to focus just on me and my talents, my attributes, my skills. And it lit a spark in me to do something different.”

Now, at age 38, Candace has finished upgrading her math (“turns out i like it and i’m not so bad at it after all!”) and begun her first year in Business Administration at Camosun, with a specialty in marketing and communications. her goal: maybe work for a non-profit or socially responsible company, maybe move on to further education at Royal Roads.

“i did look into going back to school 20 years ago (i was a couple of credits short of my high school diploma),” says Candace, “but it was too intimidating. the BeSt program made it easy for me to see where i wanted to go, and there were people there rooting for me, encouraging me on.”

Candace Forbes

Will Gordon

froM unhappy houseWife to cloud nine

Amy Carr is currently registered in Academic Upgrading and is completing Math for Trades, but it took the BEST program to get her there. After three kids, Amy thought school was never going to happen. “I thought I was destined to be a housewife forever, and it was not what I wanted,” she says. “I actually did the BEST program first when I was 21, but then I ended up getting married and having kids. This time, I did it when I was 30, after a divorce, and I know now I want to pursue a trade. BEST helped me figure out what I’m good at, how I learn. It also helped me with the skills to balance school and work, school and home, and showed me that school is not an impossible dream. I’m living my dream right now – I’m on cloud nine.”

“soMething in the Water

“I think there’s something in the water at Camosun,” says Will Gordon of the Capital Mental Health Association. “So many of our clients who go through the CP-BEST program give us glowing reports about how it has affected their lives and how they see themselves. By becoming a part of the community at Camosun, they get to explore not just academics but themselves – it gives them a massive boost in self-confidence and self-knowledge.”

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• We reorganized our self-paced MATH 072 and 073 offerings so that both a math instructor and an instructional assistant are now available four nights a week, and students can come in whichever nights work best for them.

• The college-wide Course Feedback Survey (Fall 2009 - Winter 2011) ranked our math courses first or second in a remarkable 13 different categories, ranging from “clear and well organized” to “available to assist.”

• In 2011, we re-vamped our 100-level, lecture-based courses and moved them to a tuition-based model, which makes them eligible for student loan funding – a benefit for students who are upgrading at the same time as pursuing university studies. early results appear positive: in fall 2011, the first semester with tuition required, our math sections remained full. Department Chair Peggy tilley believes this “shows that students appreciate the quality of our math courses and the fact that we are dedicated to getting students where they want to go and we make sure they learn what they need to learn to reach their goals.”

ACADeMiC UPGRADiNG – ColleGe PRePARAtoRY MAtheMAtiCS

Who We are

We provide standard academic Math 11 and 12 courses (but bumped up a notch) to thoroughly prepare students for college and university studies. We also offer specially tailored programs for students bound for technology, business and criminal justice programs.

Students have the option of taking lecture-based classes during the day and self-paced courses at night.

For more information on math upgrading, please go to camosun.ca/upgrade.

surfer, firefighter and top notch Math student

it was a young man’s dream life: work as a carpenter on construction sites during the week and surf the waves off long Beach every weekend. But it didn’t take Robin lavigne long to realize the dream life had its limits. “it seemed like fun at first but then i realized i just wasn’t going anywhere,” he says. “the pay was low and it was also physically just too hard – i knew from watching my Dad do the same kind of work that my body wouldn’t last.”

So Robin decided to pursue a different kind of dream all together. he had always wanted to fight forest fires and go back to school to become a physiotherapist, and now – at age 28 – he’s figured out a way to make one pay for the other: keeping the fires around fort St. John under control in the summers to be able to afford full-time school the rest of the year.

“i needed to upgrade my math and sciences to get into Kinesiology at UVic,” says Robin, “but i’d been out of school a long time. i was really kind of scared about getting ready for university-level physics and chemistry.”

turns out that fear was misplaced: with an A average in math and an 8.5 GPA overall, he made the School of Access Dean’s Honour Roll in his very first semester at Camosun. “Making the honour Roll was great,” Robin says, “but i wouldn’t have made it without the help of Charles Campbell,” an instructional Assistant at the lansdowne Math help lab. “it’s crazy how much he knows. You can come to him with any problem and he can help you figure it out.”

Next up for Robin is a full slate of first-year university courses at Camosun and an eventual transfer to UVic, then “a solid career, travel, raising a family.””

Robin Lavigne

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back on track

Tracy Guinchard started math classes at Camosun in 2009 with MATH 034, about a Grade 9 level. Since then, she’s gone all the way up to MATH 105 (Algebra and Pre-calculus) with great grades – As and Bs – a far cry from the barely passing math grades she once got in high school. “This is thanks to the helpful instructors,” she says, “who are always available to answer questions and explain things in a clear, concise manner. I am now prepared to apply to university and continue my education.”

“kick ass” teaching

Math instructor Patricia Wrean received a well-deserved Teaching Excellence Award in 2010. Here’s what two of Pat’s many devoted students had to say about her: “Pat kicks ass and is extremely competent in her field.” “She is hands-down the best teacher (math or otherwise) I have ever had.”

John Boraas and Patricia Wrean


Who We are

to succeed in college or university – and in life – students need to develop their ability to read, write, listen and speak.

the english department offers courses that enable adult learners to become more confident in their ability to write and to understand what has been written. eNGl 092, for example, introduces general techniques for writing clear and concise essays as well as reading and oral presentation skills, while eNGl 094 helps students learn to appreciate good literature both for its beauty and its power to teach us about ourselves; eNGl 096 focuses exclusively on literature and orature by Aboriginal authors and storytellers. in all three courses, students are encouraged to engage with each other and express their ideas.

We also deliver specially designed english courses for students in Business, technology and Sports Access programs (please see Access to Career and Academic Programs for more information). these courses focus on writing clearly and simply for business or technical communication.

For more information on English upgrading, please go to camosun.ca/upgrade.

highlights of 2010 – 2011

• Over the past year, we began developing three new English upgrading courses, specifically designed to help students prepare for the rigors of university-level writing requirements, although students planning for college-level only programs may also choose to take them instead of our regular Grade 12-equivalent college-prep courses. eNGl 103 concentrates on academic writing, eNGl 104 focuses on literature and eNGl 106 on indigenous literature. the three new, tuition-required courses began in fall 2011.

• Two of our English instructors published adolescent fiction novels this past year. Kari Jones’ novel is called Storm Tide (orca) and it hit the bookshelves in March 2011; Jodi lundgren – winner of a Canada Council emerging Writer’s grant – released Leap (Second Story Press) the same month.

• Instructor Ray Bigauskas adapted ENGL 094 to a self-paced model, to be offered beginning in Winter 2012, while instructor Sharon Quigley began introducing indigenous content into her eNGl 094 sections to deepen her – and her students’ – understanding of Aboriginal authors and issues.

ACADeMiC UPGRADiNG – ColleGe PRePARAtoRY eNGliShturning challenges into opportunitiess Challenges come in many different forms. for 22-year-old Justin Whitson, the challenge is learning to deal with a brain injury that occurred at birth and left him with short-term memory problems. For 50-year-old Dorothy Van Allen, it’s going back to school after more than 30 years away with a brain (she thought) that’s “just too old for this.”

things did not start terribly well for either of them at Camosun. Both signed up for eNGl 092, Justin with instructor thea todd and Dorothy with Don Goddard. Justin began well, but failed to complete the course because of a work injury. Dorothy missed the first three weeks of class because she didn’t realize she should attend the course while waiting for an official spot, and had to beg Don to let her in – “i told him i’ll do whatever it takes: i need to get into this course!”

Perseverance paid off for both of them, however.

Justin returned to 092 in 2011 with even greater determination. “i thought i’d better buckle down and focus,” he says. “Studying for me can be frustrating because it takes me two or three times as long to learn things. i have to read and read, then write it out and read it back again, but once i get it, i never lose it. i had so much support from thea. i never had this kind of support before and i have to thank thea ten-fold for that.”

Now having also completed eNGl 096 with flying colours (he received an A), Justin intends to stay at Camosun to pursue an Associate of Arts Degree in Psychology and eventually work with children who have mental disabilities.

for Dorothy, starting 092 late tested her brain as it hadn’t been tested in a very long time. Moving from a brief stint in the military to a series of generally low-paying jobs and now long-term disability, she’s found it difficult at times to make rent, pay for food and care for her disabled 26-year-old daughter. But the idea of returning to school for training was just too scary to contemplate – “i thought i wasn’t smart enough anymore” – until she realized she had to do something. And it turns out she is still smart: she not only caught up to her much younger 092 classmates, she ended up with an A to boot.

“i realized that, at my age, this was my only shot,” says Dorothy. “i understand what a privilege it is to come to school and i’m going to take full advantage of it.” in June 2012, she will finish Camosun’s indigenous family Support program and plans to continue, like Justin, to a degree – maybe at UVic – in psychology.

Justin Whitson Dorothy Van Allen

Lorri Leonard

surprise! Writing can be fun

For over 20 years, Lorri Leonard had a perfectly good career going as a hairdresser when not just one but two bouts of breast cancer convinced her it was time for a change – and that eventually led to her taking English upgrading at the Grade 12-level. “Maybe I could have gone right into college-level,” she says, “but it was so foreign and so scary to be even thinking about going back to school that starting slower really was better. Something I did not expect: I discovered that English is one of my favourite subjects – I hated it in high school! It got me in touch with how fun it is to write.”

(For more about Lorri’s journey, please see the Aboriginal Education and Community Connections Annual Report 2010 – 2011.)

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Who We are

it can be hard to find out – once you’ve finally made up your mind what career you really want to pursue – that you’re one or two prerequisites short for the program you need, and it will take at least a semester to catch up.

the Access to Career and Academic Programs department finds ways for students to take the prerequisites they need, while simultaneously gaining credit toward their future diplomas. for example, exercise and Wellness Access is a six-month program, offered every January, that gives students aiming for an exercise and Wellness Diploma the opportunity to upgrade their english, math and biology, and complete a required course, SPeX 110: fitness for life, at the same time. Students who successfully complete the Access program are also guaranteed a spot in the diploma program for the following September.

other Access programs include Business Access, technology Access and the indigenous human Services Career Access Program (ihSCAP).

in addition, our work with the industry training Authority (itA) and Bridges for Women has lead to Camosun now being able to offer two different Women in trades training initiative (Wtti) streams: the Wtti exploration Program, intended to help women explore various trades, and the Wtti foundations stream that helps students move directly into foundations programs, such as Carpentry or electrical foundations. Women in both streams receive funding – provided by the itA – to cover the cost of tuition, tools and books and help with childcare.

For more information on Access to Career and Academic Programs, please go to camosun.ca/career-access.


• Working with the Navigation department, we finished developing a Math for Ship Stability course (MATH 059) that allows students seeking transport Canada Ship Construction and Stability certification to brush up their math skills while enrolled in their certification courses.

• The first group of WTTI Exploration Program students completed their program in March 2011. Students learned about the practical skills and certifications required for a range of trades, and explored how best to gain employable skills and further training.

ACCeSS to CAReeR AND ACADeMiC PRoGRAMStrue grit it takes a lot of grit and determination to go to school every day when you’ve lost your home and you’re not sure whose couch you’ll be sleeping on next. But that’s exactly what Catina Sheena did last year when she completed the pilot Women in trades training initiative (Wtti), then immediately moved on to the full-time Residential Building Maintenance Worker Program, all while upgrading her math at night.

“i was on Craigslist looking for jobs when i saw an ad for Women in trades and i thought why not?,” she says. “it turned out to be great. the instructors were patient and the other women made the program fun and less intimidating. Working with power tools can be a challenge in itself, so receiving a certificate that says i am capable of using them was a real eye opener.”

Wtti – the result of a partnership between Camosun College, Bridges for Women Society and B.C.’s industry training Authority – gives women the opportunity to try their hands at such trades as plumbing, welding, carpentry and horticulture, while also working to upgrade their academic skills.

“Catina did the whole 14 weeks under what i know were very difficult circumstances,” says Alison Bowe, Chair of Access to Career and Academic Programs. “extremely capable and intelligent, she was a real leader, in a quiet way – just the kind of woman that this training initiative is for, and i have every confidence she’s going to be an amazing success.”

Now firmly established in her own apartment, Catina says that she “never expected to go back to school, but it’s gotten my mind going. it’s helped me find out more about myself and it’s opened up options i didn’t have before.” once she finishes her current program, she plans to either get a job in building maintenance or return for even more training, this time in horticulture – “i could see myself managing a berry farm.”

online reVieWs

the Women in trades training initiative has struck a major chord with a number of women searching for a new or different work path. here’s what two recent participants posted on our website:

“Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to take this course. I learnt so much and thanks to my awesome carpentry teacher have just spent the past month up in the Yukon as a carpenter’s helper, building cabins.” – Robyn W.

“It was a great program. I am now working in construction and having a BLAST.” – Jo-ellen i-J.

Catina Sheena

“cool that i could start right aWay”

Danielle Robbins is a graduate of the pilot Indigenous Human Services Career Access Program, class of 2010: “I thought, maybe I’ll try that,” she says, “because I needed to upgrade my English anyways. I really liked how much support there was and the teachers were always checking on us to make sure everything was going okay.” Now, she’s mid-way through the two-year diploma program in Community, Family and Child Studies and says, “I felt prepared for the CFCS program, and it was cool that I could start right away.”

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Who We are

there are many reasons why people may be reluctant or even afraid to pursue post-secondary education or career training.

the Community learning Partnerships department takes education to community-based sites to make it easier for people to begin or return to learning in a less intimidating place than a college campus. these sites include the Songhees employment learning Centre (SelC), Saanich Adult education Centre (SAeC), Victoria Native friendship Centre (VNfC), our Place, Bridges for Women and literacy Victoria. Courses offered in the community include Academic Upgrading from fundamental and intermediate to College Preparatory levels, with on-line and blended learning options.

For more information on Community Learning Partnerships, please go to camosun.ca/community-partnerships.


• for the past three years, we’ve worked in partnership with our Place Society to offer two computer studies courses on location at our Place. Now, the graduates are taking over the classroom! in fall 2010, volunteer tutors selected by our Place – including several who completed both Camosun courses as well as others from the wider community – were a great success. “they were very supportive and engaging,” says instructor Marc Bissley, “and their availability made a real difference in reducing the frustration level of learners new to the world of computers as well as to those who may have learning challenges.”

• More than 20 students enthusiastically and successfully participated in the first Camosun math program offered on-site at Bridges for Women. Many of the women went on to further math courses on campus, some with the goal of enrolling in the Women in trades training initiative. We intend to continue offering math at Bridges for Women in addition to our well-established english and computer studies courses.

• We received positive feedback from students, colleagues and community partners during our required Program Review and Renewal process. for example, literacy Victoria executive director Ruth Derrick called the 23-year partnership between literacy Victoria and Camosun College “a mutually beneficial and respectful relationship,” while Sharon Welsh, coordinator of literacy Victoria’s learners Network, said that Camosun’s on-site classes “open doors for our clients in many different ways; it enables them to expand their lives.”

CoMMUNitY leARNiNG PARtNeRShiPSWalking With culture at selc the main room at the Songhees employment learning Centre (SelC) on Admirals Road is packed with the latest in innovative technology, but it’s also both comfortable and welcoming for the many students working there. “We want people to treat this like a home,” says SelC manager lyle henry. “We’re always walking with technology but being mindful of culture, too. And our culture welcomes everyone.”

Any person with first Nations ancestry may take courses at the Centre, including the latest offering from Camosun College: a Building employment Success for tomorrow (BeSt) program specifically designed for Aboriginal students. the course is one part of an indigenous essential Skills Pilot that includes Academic Upgrading in math and english and Service learning, which acknowledges students’ work with culture and community.

“We asked if Camosun could provide another BeSt program here as part of the pilot because we believe in what it delivers,” says Verna Barker, SelC assistant manager. (Camosun previously offered BeSt as part of an Aboriginal trades Pilot.) “Sometimes

we find that we can guide our youth to securing jobs, but they are not able to keep them for many reasons. BeSt takes students back to the basics, to what they need to know about employment and themselves, and BeSt delivers in a logical, fun, and successful way – and is respectful to all involved.”

the new SelC BeSt program – developed in 2010 - 2011 and launched in fall 2011 – is delivered by first-time BeSt instructor, Marcey louie, two days a week. “i have a great job,” says Marcey. “the students don’t just come to learn, they come to teach – they teach me new things all the time.” in return, Marcey helps them “explore their gifts, their strengths, their interests. i try to help them see themselves in a positive light and to continue to learn and be inspired and be hopeful.”

the new BeSt program demonstrates that “Camosun is a true partner,” says lyle henry, “building a trusting relationship with our community. those students who complete BeSt will have a stronger sense of independence, and that will help them gain – and keep – meaningful jobs.”

Aleatha Hockridge

“like a sigh of relief”

When 27-year-old Aleatha Hockridge started at SAEC, she’d been out of school for 11 years and was more familiar with surfboards and motorcycles than books and classrooms. She was extremely nervous, but “as soon as I got there, it was like a sigh of relief. I thought ‘oh my gosh, I can do this!’ I don’t know if I could have done it anywhere else, but there I could always ask for help.” That help paid off big time: Aleatha upgraded her English and completed five math and two computer science courses in just eight months, landing on the 2011 Dean’s Honour Roll in the process. Now, she’s in first-year Indigenous Studies at Camosun and aiming to teach elementary school someday.

“a better future

Bridges for Women Intake/Counsellor Gwendolyn Davies says that the “long and successful” partnership with Camosun College enables “our clients to access top-quality instructors in a safe and convenient location. This allows them to regain their footing in the academic world, and often leads to more confidence about pursuing higher education and ultimately a better future for our clients and their families.”

“Student Jackson Robertson with Verna Barker


Who We are

the primary focus of the employment training and Preparation (etP) department, says chair David Grieg, “is providing opportunities for people who – for whatever reason, developmental, physical or learning disability, mental health issue, addiction, etc. – may not have seen post-secondary education as something they could pursue. We don’t test, we assess. We offer courses for people at the place they are now and provide a foundation to help them develop the confidence to pursue further learning, volunteering or employment.”

etP offerings include:

• basic reading, writing and arithmetic for the workplace

• general training in customer service as well as specific training to work in the food service, gardening or retail sectors

• training in handling construction tools and materials, and

• the EARTH (Environmental Approaches for a Resourceful, Thoughtful humanity) Gardening program, which offers students the opportunity to learn how to produce and preserve their own food while preparing them to work in gardens or nurseries.

etP courses may be taken full- or part-time and are self-paced, with a combination of classroom studies and on- and off-campus work experience.

For more information on Employment Training and Preparation, please go to camosun.ca/etp.


• In 2010 - 2011, we offered the first Cooperative Community Cooking program for people with acquired head injuries, in collaboration with the Cridge Centre for the family. eight students learned how to work together to menu-plan, budget, shop and cook.

• In other notes:

- after 15 years, ETP Instructor Nancy Bourey retired, instructional Assistant Jody isaac became an instructor, and we hired laura friesen to fill Jody’s old job

- 25 alumni attended the second annual etP Alumni tea on April 28, 2011

- our yearly Sample the Campus experience continued to connect selected students from local high schools with the etP department, and

- our generous community partners – including David Grayson, Nursery lead hand for the City of Victoria and trish Unrau from Beacon Community Services’ Pandora thrift Store – continued to find ways to provide our students with invaluable experiences. David’s contribution included showing our students how the City built the fantastic 3D horticultural sculpture of the orca and her calf that sat at the corner of humboldt and Government last summer.

eMPloYMeNt tRAiNiNG AND PRePARAtioNborn to garden Sometimes life takes us in unexpected directions – just look at Greg holst. A few years ago, Greg tried to grow a few plants in his mother’s backyard, with absolutely no success. today, the 42-year-old is responsible for starting, designing and maintaining an extensive and very successful vegetable and flower garden – all as a volunteer – at the Seven oaks tertiary Mental health facility on Blenkinsop Road.

“i never, ever thought i’d be a gardener,” says Greg. “i was volunteering at Seven oaks and just went along with a few of the residents to Camosun to learn about the eARth Gardening program, then ended up taking it with them.” Not sure whether he could handle going back to school, Greg discovered not only that the instructors had a great sense of humour, “which really helped,” he says, but also that he was a born-gardener.

“it’s just a fantastic thing to do,” says Greg, who won the 2010 Pamela Vickers Achievement Award for his exemplary contributions to the eARth Gardening program. “i love it and it seemed really natural for me to suggest we create a garden at Seven oaks.” A little more than a year later, Greg has successfully brought in his first crop of potatoes, radishes, carrots, broccoli and more. “Some of the staff and residents and a couple of other people from the community have been in the garden helping. it’s got great therapeutic benefits for the residents, and for me, too. once i’m in the garden, i’m right there, i’m right on.”

the new garden, added to his work as smoking-cessation coordinator at Seven oaks, led to Greg receiving the excellence in Volunteering award from Volunteer Victoria in June 2011, but he doesn’t plan to rest on his laurels (or beets, as the case may be).

“i have big plans for the garden,” he says. “i want it to be more funky, more creative and spectacular, maybe have some paths that curve and bend, and places to sit in the shade and have a soda.” if the opportunity for a paying job as a gardener comes up, Greg says he’d love to pursue that, too. “i want to be involved in gardening for the rest of my life.”

Greg Holst

“becoMing a better gardener

Wil George was already a good gardener before he took the EARTH Gardening program. Now, he’s a better one. “It gave me a better understanding of organic gardening and why we should do it,” says the manager of the Songhees Nation’s Lkwungen Community Garden. “We went over everything to do with bugs, different root types, composting, how to avoid pesticides, a bit of pruning, propagating. I learned more than I ever thought possible, really.” And apparently he contributed just as much as he learned. When Wil won ETP’s 2011 Dedication to Learning Award, his introduction began: “Wilfred has a smile and laugh as big as his heart.”

“rocking it at the thrift store

Bringing the ETP Customer Service Training students to Beacon Community Services’ Pandora Thrift Store once a week is a “win/win situation,” says Supervisor Trish Unrau. “They get to come out and work in a real store, doing the cash register, greeting customers, taking stock, and I get workers who are really pumped and who really work hard. You should see us on Wednesdays – we just rock!”



• We now offer Canada’s first online english as a Second language program for internationally trained professionals living in rural or remote areas. funded by the B.C. and federal governments, the e-Work program is a series of 10 short web-based courses (each course runs eight weeks for a total of about 35 hours, or about five hours a week) that provide advanced english language training, specifically designed to improve students’ job-related english language skills.

• In february 2011, we moved from three eSl streams to two. Basic english stayed as it was, but – to eliminate some crossover of courses – we merged the College and Academic Preparation and Professional and Vocational streams to form the Career and Academic Preparation stream.

• in its first full year in operation, the new english language Development help Centre at interurban has proven to be a great success. “it’s small but booming,” says elD Department Co-Chair Pei Mei Chia. (for more on Camosun’s help Centres, please see Student Access Services.)

Who We are

About 800 english as a Second language students study with Camosun’s english language Development department every year. Some come to learn english pretty well from scratch, while others come to refine already well-developed english skills. Some want to prepare for a specific college or university program, while others want to improve their chances for a better job.

our eSl programs – most offered either full- or part-time, day or evening – are divided into two streams:

• in the Basic ESL stream, students learn the essentials of understanding, speaking, reading and writing in english, and

• in the Career and Academic Preparation stream, students work on the english skills they will need for college- or university-level courses or for workplace advancement.

eNGliSh lANGUAGe DeVeloPMeNtit Was Meant to be When Simon Perez Armas was a boy, he watched a movie where there were lots of big green trees and he said to his mother “that is where I want to live.” Some 15 or so years later, as soon as he saw Cathedral Grove here on Vancouver island, he knew he’d found his new home.

Born in a small town in Mexico called teocaltiche, Simon moved to tijuana at age 18. he always thought he’d move again, to the United States this time, to get out of the dusty, over-crowded city streets – “so many people!” – and polluted air. But then he came to Canada on a one-month vacation, and the rest is history. “that was 2004,” he says, “and i went back home and applied for a work permit right away.”

Permit in hand, Simon quickly found a job in the hotel industry here, but his lack of sophisticated english skills limited his options and his progress. “i knew i could do more,” he says, “but i couldn’t express myself well enough.” As soon as he received permanent resident status and was sure he could stay

in this country, he signed up for english language training, first at S.J. Willis Alternative School and then at Camosun.

“Camosun’s classes fit my schedule better,” says Simon. “i could work during the day and take class at night, and i found the instructors really helpful. they helped me with my pronunciation and with how to write properly in english. At first, i just wrote as i spoke – which was not good – but now i’m pretty well level with students who grew up here.”

today, on the eve of becoming a Canadian citizen, Simon has also progressed in his hotel job – moving from housekeeping to room service to waiting tables, picking up a nomination for a Sterling Service Award of B.C. along the way – and has big dreams for a future that includes a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in accounting. “i want to be a Chartered Accountant,” says Simon. “it’s going to take about nine years overall, with working as well. But that’s okay.” Being among the evergreens will help.

Simon Perez Armas

passion and kindness coMbined

Another award-winner, international student Tsz Yeung (Nicolas) Lee, started in Level 1 ELD courses in 2010 – 2011, but has now quickly moved on to Level 2. He is particularly happy with the instructors he has had here so far. “They are passionate people,” says Nicholas, “guiding their students step-by-step. They answer our questions kindly and are willing to talk to us after class.” For Nicholas, “studying at Camosun is not only about gaining knowledge and learning skills for the future, but also about understanding Canada and Canadian people.”

“

you don’t need to be scared

Qi (Cici) Huang was so dedicated to improving her basic English language skills, she won a 2011 Joan Hosty Memorial Award – but better English was not the only thing she learned at Camosun. She also found out that “you don’t have to be scared to begin a new life in Canada anymore. Camosun College will help you improve your English skills and learn about North American culture. My teachers helped me realize my hidden potential and built my confidence. They encouraged me to actively integrate into the community and build good relationships with people. If you need help, they will be there for you, too.”

“the Career and Academic Preparation stream includes both:

• the Certificate in Academic and Professional english (CAPe), designed to help internationally trained professionals prepare for careers or further education in Canada and

• the 49-week health Care Assistant - eSl program, which trains frontline health care providers in english at the same time as they learn the skills they need to work in a long-term care facility or other community setting.


Who We are

We are a dedicated, professional group of 18 instructional assistants who provide one-on-one tutoring and support with course work, academic and life skills for students enrolled in School of Access and college-level programs.

We operate six on-campus help Centres open four to five days a week, with some evening hours. At lansdowne, we provide an english help Centre, a Math help Centre and a Math lab, and, at interurban, an Academic Upgrading help Centre, an english language Development help Centre and a Math lab.

We also provide support at three community partner locations – the Saanich Adult education Centre (SAeC), the Songhees employment learning Centre (SelC) and the Victoria Native friendship Centre (VNfC) – for students registered there in computer studies, math and english upgrading courses. instructional assistants from SelC and VNfC also support the learning of students at literacy Victoria and Bridges for Women Society. in addition, instructional assistants in the employment training and Preparation department work on- and off-campus with students, providing hands-on support for learning activities, such as going to the Pandora thrift Store to learn customer service.

For more information on Student Access Services, please go to camosun.ca/help-centres.


Student Access Services staff members continued to upgrade their qualifications in 2010 – 2011: • two completed the Community Mental health Worker program

• three are pursuing Master’s degrees

• one is pursuing the Certificate in Adult and Continuing education

• one is pursuing the Provincial instructor’s diploma

• one attended various professional development workshops on literacy/ reading, writing and numeracy/ mathematics, and

• one is pursuing an advanced diploma in human Resources Management.

StUDeNt ACCeSS SeRViCeSa WoMan of accoMplishMent (she’s a lot of fun, too) Jessica Michalofsky is a woman of accomplishment. Already holding a BA in english literature and a Bed in Secondary english, she’s now pursuing an MfA in Creative Writing through UBC. She also spent five weeks (on scholarship) at the Banff Centre for the Arts this last spring, is on the editorial team for Camosun’s Beside the Point magazine, and has been published in numerous chapbooks, anthologies and journals, including one of Canada’s leading literary publications, The Malahat Review.

But such accomplishment did not come easily. in fact, Jessica – who has worked as an instructional assistant at the english help Centre for five years – can relate to the adult students she helps now.

“it took me 11 years to get my BA,” she says. “i left school in Grade 10 and didn’t return until i was in my 20s, and it was frustrating. i struggled and i had trouble writing. i didn’t know how to write an essay. i was full of fear and negative self-doubt and class-consciousness. i kept wondering ‘do i fit here’ – on campus, with these other people.”

She discovered that she did fit, however – that “everybody does” – and even that she liked school enough to want to pass on what she’s learned to others. “At the english help Centre, i try to help students find their authentic voice,” says Jessica. “Some think they need to put on an ‘academic’ voice when they write, when what they really need is to ask themselves what do i think and why do i think it, and how is my experience valuable in the world.”

Jessica also tries to make learning the rules and conventions of english grammar as painless as possible through the use of games and quizzes. one game matches personality to punctuation mark. Jessica herself is a semi-colon, “elegant, understated, and subtle.” A dash, on the other hand, is “realistic, down to earth, and very honest.” Wonder what an apostrophe is....

the right decision

The English Language Development Help Centre continued to “grow like mad” in 2010 - 2011, says Anne Gilbody, Student Access Services’ Coordinator of Learning Support. “It’s very busy now and working really well – so well the students are mad when it closes for the night! It was the right decision to add this service at Interurban.”

“ acadeMic upgrading help centre

yearly trends

Jessica Michalofsky

3000

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0Winter Spring /

SummerFall

2008 1708 1314 1613

2009 1845 1678 1991

2010 2134 2264 2616

Student visits to all help Centres continued to increase year-over-year. to give just one example, the Academic Upgrading help Centre had consistently more student contacts overall in 2010 than in 2008 and 2009 – even during the usual slower spring/summer period, when Camosun offers fewer courses – and over 1,000 more contacts in one semester, fall 2010, alone.


“ “

ReMeMBeRiNG lYNNe RiChARDS lynne Richards was known for being dynamic, dedicated and driven, but also for being compassionate, generous and kind – and for having the best shoe collection in Victoria.

lynne’s full and interesting life included serving as a Wren in World War ii and going to broadcasting school with none other than, actor Leslie Nielsen. In 1967, she joined Victoria’s Institute of Adult Studies as library Clerk. After the institute became Camosun College in 1971, she stayed on in a variety of roles – including much-loved instructional assistant during the day in what’s now called the School of Access, and highly respected Continuing ed typing instructor at night – until 1989.

“Lynne’s deep and unyielding commitment to assisting students to succeed was part of the air students breathed in the ABE (Adult Basic Education) Department. I have no doubt that throughout Canada and beyond, even today, hundreds or thousands of Camosun graduates continue to lead fruitful lives at least in part because of Lynne’s influence.” - Mark Kunen, Instructor

“While in ABE, Lynne also taught night classes in office administration subjects (typing, office management) – three and four nights a week! She was a dynamo whose high heels never slowed, regardless of the classroom or hallway they trod.”

- Sonja Hendrickson, retired fellow Instructional Assistant and friend

But lynne’s connection to Camosun did not end with retirement. in 1993, she endowed the lynne Richards Scholarship, dedicated to Academic Upgrading students who demonstrate personal determination to succeed, achieve academic excellence and plan to pursue post-secondary education. Not content to simply meet the award-winners at the official ceremony each year, lynne invited each one to share a private lunch, so she could hear first-hand about their plans for the future.

Sadly, those lunches came to an end when lynne died in July 2010. But once again, lynne made her love for the School of Access and our students very clear by bequeathing an exceptionally generous amount to continue her award, now called the lynne Richards Memorial Award.

“

““

“Lynne Richards understood and appreciated the fact that education

combined with trust, respect, and solid relationships is an equation that

results in deep transformation in people. She was an amazing part of the

equation as an encourager, motivator, instructor, and friend. One of her

most incredible qualities was her ability to intuit the perfect moment when

to put her foot on reluctant backsides and ‘PUSH’ people toward their

own courage, integrity, solutions, and action. Lynne lived the principles of

today’s strategic plan long before it was captured in the current document.

‘Inspiring Change’ and ‘Inspiring Lives’ were always personal life themes for

Lynne because she lived her life from a place of deep personal conviction

and knowledge of where pain, hard work, and relationships can take us

when we least believe we are able to move forward.”

- Bonnie Stackhouse, Student Records

“In the early 80s, I was a student in the ABE program which was located in

the Paul Building lower floor. Lynn looked after the testing study area and

was always very helpful, cheery and encouraging when things did not go

right. For someone coming back to school, it made it a little easier.”

- Keith Todd, Mechanical/Metal Trades

“She always wore high heels; I wondered if she wore them to bed.”

- Coby Romaniuk, retired Academic Advisor and Campus Manager

Aleatha Hockridge (middle), May 2011 winner of the Lynne Richards Memorial Award, is congratulated by instructors Morgan Sargent and Michele Mundy


Academic and Career foundations

Jill Auchinachie, Chair

Interurban CBA157 250-370-4048 [email protected] Access to Career and Academic Programs

Alison Bowe, Chair

Interurban CBA150 250-370-4911 [email protected] Community learning Partnerships

Jennifer Bennett, Chair

Lansdowne E220 250-370-3489 [email protected] employment training and Preparation

David Greig, Chair

Interurban Port A 102A 250-370-3845 [email protected] english Access

Maureen Niwa, Chair

Lansdowne P324 250-370-3123 [email protected] english language Development

Pei Mei Chia, Co-Chair, Basic ESL

Interurban CBA138 250-370-4945 [email protected]

Access Aecc InternAtIonAl

Base Funding 5,375,443 547,880 1,233,039

staFFing Fte`s 71.79 Fte 6.54 Fte included in access

2010-11 2009-10 VArIAnce

Headcount access and aecc 3,630 3,680 -1.35%

Headcount international 315 391 -19.43%

2010-11 operating budget and staffing personnel

headcount and ftes: access and aecc *

fte students: school of access and aecc

credentials

• Access graduates who applied for their credentials in fall 2010: 118

• Access graduates who applied for their credentials in Spring 2011: 354 Total: 472

student aWards

on May 26, 2011, 40 School of Access students received awards in 28 different categories. together, the award-winners received more than $14,000.

*data source: camosun.ca/about/educational-research/fte/documents/bu11-fte-planned.pdf**includes community learning partnerships

*data source: camosun.ca/about/educational-research/enrol/documents annualfiscalenrolmentcounts2010-11.pdf

BY the NUMBeRS: 2010 - 2011

2010-11 AudIted student fte numbers

tArget YeAr end ActuAl utIlIZAtIon % InternAtIonAlActuAl

eld 350.0 423.6 121.0% 278.0

comBined skills eld/Hca 18.0 16.2 89.9% 2.3

esl For ProFessionals (caPe) 5.0 3.0 60.0%

PreP matH and englisH 420.0 419.4 99.9% 7.3

Foundations** 610.0 604.3 99.1% 5.5

Best 50.0 41.6 83.3%

etP - all 60.0 46.8 78.1%

indigenous studies/ 18.0 29.7 164.8%

indigenous college PreP 6.0 8.0 133.3%

cost recovery 0.0 1.2

totAls 1537.0 1593.9 103.7% 293.0

DePARtMeNtAl CoNtACtS

Administration

Sarah Loewen, Acting Dean

Lansdowne E234 250-370-3295 [email protected] Deanna Roosendaal, Acting Associate Dean

Lansdowne E226 250-370-3991 [email protected]

Aboriginal education and Community Connections

Janice Simcoe, Chair

Lansdowne E272F 250-370-3163 [email protected]

english language Development

Elizabeth West, Acting Co-Chair, Career & Academic Preparation

Lansdowne E210 250-370-3691 [email protected] Math Access

Peggy Tilley, Chair

Lansdowne E268 250-370-3502 [email protected] Student Access Services

Anne Gilbody, Coordinator, Learning Support

Interurban CBA130 250-370-4964 [email protected]

school of access contributes to student success

Thirty-eightpercentofCamosun’sstudentstravelthroughAccessontheirpost-secondaryjourneys,pickinguporrefreshingacademicprerequisites,exploringcareerandeducationopportunities,learningEnglishasasecondlanguage,completinghighschoolgraduationandsomuchmore.

“sailing aWay With her ged

Chantelle Chidley came to the School of Access for help in preparing to take the GED (high-school equivalency) tests. We received this note from her. “I have the best news EVER! I just got my results in the mail yesterday. I passed all five tests. I now have my GED certificate. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it. I started to cry!!” Now, Chantelle has achieved her dream job: Supply Tech for the Canadian Navy, serving on HMCS Algonquin.

School of AcceSS camosun.ca/access [email protected] 250-370-3295

lAnSdowne cAmpuS

3100 foul Bay Roadewing Building, room 234Victoria, BC V9e 2C1

InterurbAn cAmpuS

4461 interurban RoadCentre for Business & Access, room 127Victoria, BC V8P 5J2 PUBliSheD JANUARY 2012

CReDitS Writer / editor - Robin J. Miller

CAMoSUN ColleGe Graphic Design - Sean Mclaughlin Photography Allan Shook | AV Services | Access staff Project coordination franklyn Roy, Access Printshop Press

school of access annual report 2010 - 2011camosun.ca/learn/school/access/pdfs/report10-11.pdf ·...

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