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Cynthia’s Shifts in Distance
Learning
Monday Evenings 5:30 –
8:30
Tuesday Mornings 9 – 12
Wednesdays 9 – 12,
12:30 – 3:30
Cynthia’s voice mail: 5578
Hello!
And welcome to Distance Learning.
I love this program because I think
it helps so many different kinds of people. Parents who can’t
come to class, students who work a lot and miss classes,
students who go to class but want extra help – all these people
can get the help they need through this program.
I also love this program because I
love people. I love working one-on-one, getting to know people
better, finding out what their needs and strengths are, and
helping them improve their English.
I have worked in Distance Learning
since the Fall of 2000. I have seen it grow from a little
program run by Rosemary Ockerman (now retired) at a little desk
up by the Skylab to the full-time program that it is today. And
finally, yes, we are even starting to have DVDs. What’s next –
lessons to download on your i-pod? Only time will tell. The
San Mateo Adult School is ahead of the curve where ESL and
technology are concerned, something that benefits all of us -
students, teachers, and community.
Since July of 2000 I’ve taught the
Online Writing class,
which is also part of Distance Learning. My students get to
work from home, or they can use the computer Skylab at the Adult
School or a computer at the public library.
I also teach
Learn Through Play,
a class in our Parent Ed department. That’s a class for kids,
age 1 through 3, and their grown-ups – moms, dads, grandmas,
etc. While in Distance Learning I sit at the desk all day, in
this class, I get to sing, dance, get up and move.
And because one of my favorite parts
of life is storytelling, I teach the
Memoirs
class in our Fifty Plus department. In that class, folks over
the age of 55 write about their lives. I believe each of us has
stories we must tell and stories we must hear, also.
Can you see the connection between
all these classes? For me, all these classes are about people
growing. Whether old or young, immigrant or US born, all my
students are expanding their hearts and minds, growing in skill,
selfhood, and a sense of community. That’s an exciting energy
to be around.
When I’m not teaching, I’m spending
time with my daughter, doing all the little things all of us
have to do to keep life going, and trying to fit in some of the
many things I love doing. I’m one of those people who is never
bored because there are so many things I love to do. With my
daughter, I take trips to parks, the beach, Pt. Reyes, kick the
soccer ball, do art projects, sing, dance, garden, and toss toys
for our cat Sun Angel. I love to write, paint, drum, hike, and
spend time with friends and family. Reading, drinking coffee
and watching good stuff on the small screen are great, too,
especially when I’m tired. ;-)
Early on in life, I learned that
life is unpredictable, full of both good and bad. For each of
us there are wonderful opportunities to learn, grow and
connect. No matter what you choose to do with your life, be
sure to look for those opportunities and take full advantage of
them.
And if the opportunity you’re
looking for is the chance to get one-on-one take-home help with
your English, then Distance Learning is the way to go!
Sincerely,
Cynthia
(For those of
you who like to know a teacher’s credentials, I have a B.A. in
Ethnic Studies
from U.C. Berkeley, an
M.A. in Creativity and Arts Education from
San Francisco State, a TEFL
(Teaching English to Foreign Language-Speakers) Certificate, a
Designated Subjects Credential (for teaching Adult Education)
and I spent a year at the
University of New Orleans studying and working in the Drama
and Communications M.F.A. program. And what did all that school
teach me? Education is great, important, sometimes very
expensive, and the best way to get ahead.)
To Start Classes:
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