Category Archives: Education Department

Teacher Education Seminar for February 4 canceled

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The Teacher Education Seminar originally scheduled for February 4th has been canceled. It will be re-scheduled for sometime in March. Keep your eyes to Facebook for further updates!

Former GRPS elementary teacher Betty Burton Grice will speak on “Teaching the Whole Child: How Does Your Garden Grow”  at 3:30 p.m. February 18 in room 168 of the ATC.

At 2 p.m. March 24, Karen Hayes, GRCC Lab Preschool assistant instructor, will talk about “Creative Math Ideas” in room 120 of the ATC.

To see the entire schedule of seminars, click here.

November Teacher Education Seminar

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Where Else Might I Teach?

Presented by: Kevin Varner, Our Lady of Consolation Catholic School in Rockford

Jason Bannister, Grand River Preparatory High School in Kentwood

Sponsored by: Grand Rapids Community College Child Development & Education Department

Thursday, November 13, 2014

3:30-5:00pm

Room 120 ATC

Snacks will be provided

For more information, contact: Staci Dever sdever@grcc.edu, (616) 234-3380, 266 Main

Teachers of Tomorrow luncheon honors 10

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On Friday, August 22, GRCC hosted the annual Teachers of Tomorrow Scholarship (TOTS) luncheon. TOTS recipients were invited to bring a family member, spouse, or personal friend to the luncheon. This year, ten recipients and their guests were honored. Attending the luncheon were members of the Teachers of Teachers faculty group, members of the Early Childhood/Education Department, and representatives from the GRCC Administration and Foundation. In all, thirty-five people celebrated the accomplishments of the awardees.

Dr. Becky Brinks, Department Head of the Early Childhood/Education Department and Dr. Mike Vargo, Associate Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, welcomed the luncheon guests. TOTS Coordinator, Dr. Joseph Hesse, acted as emcee for the event. Dr. Hesse shared the history of the TOTS program for the honorees and their guests. Scholarship recipients learned that money for their scholarships comes from endowed scholarships given by current and retired faculty and staff, college supporters from the West Michigan community, and the Peter Wege Foundation. The scholarship funds are invested under the guidance of the GRCC Foundation with a portion of the interest being awarded each year. This year, the TOTS Committee was able to award over $20,000 in scholarships. Mrs. Carole Redwine, retired English professor and member of the TOTS Committee, also congratulated the recipients and reminded them of the scholarship committee’s expectations as student leaders during the 2014-2015 school year.

Following lunch, Mr. Steve Abid, this year’s keynote speaker, inspired and entertained the group with stories from his many years as an educator. Mr. Abid is a past recipient of the GRCC Excellence in Education Award who is committed to the teaching profession. Following the keynote speech, Dr. Brinks and Dr. Vargo assisted in awarding scholarship certificates to each of the awardees. The luncheon concluded with a “team” picture of the recipients and the Teachers of Teachers group.

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Child Development and Education Department plans transfer fair

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The teacher education seminar that was originally to be held September 16 entitled “Welcome Back” will be rescheduled in mid-to-late October.

On October 9th from 2:00-3:30pm, the Child Development and Education Department will host it’s annual Transfer Fair in rooms 122 & 124 of the ATC. Students are encouraged to attend to learn about the Schools of Education at various area 4-year schools. Snacks will be provided. For more information, contact Staci Dever at sdever@grcc.edu, (616) 234-3380 or in 266F Main.

GRCC In the News, 6-27-14

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Construction alliance earns statewide honor

June 26, 2014; Grand Rapids Business Journal

An industry-wide initiative has been recognized by the Michigan Works! Association for its accomplishments in building the talent pipeline for opportunities in construction throughout West Michigan.

… Norm Brady, president and chief executive officer at the ABC Western Michigan Chapter, said the Prosperity Award recognized the collaborative arrangement that has developed among the three associations of CWDA and its strategic partners: Michigan Works! Kent & Allegan Counties and Grand Rapids Community College.

Four GRCC certificate programs now approved for federal student aid

June 26, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Four certificate programs at Grand Rapids Community College are now eligible for student financial aid.

Bruce Willis movie ‘The Prince,’ from Grand Rapids director Brian Miller, to debut in August

June 27, 2014; MLive

The new movie from Grand Rapids-born director Brian Miller, “The Prince,” has a new trailer and an official release date. The action-thriller stars Jason Patric, Bruce Willis and John Cusack.

… The director attended Grand Rapids Community College and studied filmmaking at Grand Valley State University before moving to Los Angeles in 2003.

Learn how to cook in the moment

June 26, 2014; The Holland Sentinel

Holland, Mich. — Salt of the Earth’s Executive Chef, Matthew Pietsch, will host the Chef Series at the Holland Farmers Market on Saturday. Beginning at 10 a.m., Pietsch will share ideas for recipes that will allow cooks to shop at the Farmers Market in the morning and have a gourmet meal ready that same night for dinner.

… Pietsch is a West Michigan native who has been involved in the hospitality industry since 1997. After he graduated from the Grand Rapids Community College Culinary Arts program, he held an apprenticeship with the US National Pastry Team. He worked throughout West Michigan for several years as an executive pastry chef and later relocated to Dearborn, where he operated the famed Opus One kitchen and managed Opus Ones corporate food service program for Ford Advertising.

Women’s Club scholarship winner

June 26, 2014; The Post (Cedar Springs)

The Cedar Springs Women’s Club awards an annual $1,000 scholarship to a female of any age who resides in the Cedar Springs School District. She may be considering any type of skill training or degree program. The award is made without regard to race, creed, color, religion or national origin.

… Kate (Miller) is a very motivated young woman who is planning to attend Grand Rapids Community College for a year and then transfer to Central Michigan University to work for a Bachelors in Kinesiology and a minor in Spanish. She hopes for a career as a Physical Therapist.

Grand Rapids’ next police chief is a two-man race, forum crowd says

June 26, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — A public safety director in Port Huron could be the frontrunner for city police chief, based on an informal survey of people who attended the second public forum featuring four finalists for the job.

… The committee members are Tom Almonte, assistant to the city manager; Christina Arnold, director of GRCC’s Woodrick Diversity Learning Center; Johnny Brann, Jr., restaurateur; Mari Beth Jelks, the city’s managing director of administrative services; Joe Jones, Grand Rapids Urban League president; Ralph Mason, retired Grand Rapids police lieutenant; Catherine Mish, city attorney; and Sundstrom.

 

Preschool seeks donations for Diaper Drive

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The GRCC Preschool is collecting change and diapers for a Diaper Drive sponsored by The Great Start Parent Coalition of Kent County May 12th through May 23rd. Bring change to Jeanne at the Preschool and diapers and/or change to Staci in the Education Department (Room 13 of the Data Center)The Facts

  • 1 out of every 4 babies born in Kent County is born into poverty.
  • Safety net programs, such as W.I.C. and food stamps, do NOT cover the costs of diapers.
  • Most childcare centers do not accept cloth diapers, and parents must supply a steady stream of disposable diapers. Furthermore, many families have limited access to laundry facilities and many coin-op laundry facilities cannot allow cloth diapers for health reasons.
  • An adequate supply of disposable diapers can cost up to $75 per month.

The Impacts

  • Many babies are often forced to spend the entire day or longer in a single diaper, because the family cannot afford to buy an adequate supply.
  • Inadequate diaper changing increases the risk of numerous health problems.
  • Studies show a baby crying from being in a soiled diaper for a prolonged period of time is at a greater risk of physical abuse by the caregiver.

Preschool seeks donations for Diaper Drive

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The GRCC Preschool is collecting change and diapers for a Diaper Drive sponsored by The Great Start Parent Coalition of Kent County May 12th through May 23rd.   Bring your diaper and/or change to either Jeanne at the Preschool or Staci in the Education Department (Room 13 of the Data Center)

The Facts

  • 1 out of every 4 babies born in Kent County is born into poverty.
  • Safety net programs, such as W.I.C. and food stamps, do NOT cover the costs of diapers.
  • Most childcare centers do not accept cloth diapers, and parents must supply a steady stream of disposable diapers. Furthermore, many families have limited access to laundry facilities and many coin-op laundry facilities cannot allow cloth diapers for health reasons.
  • An adequate supply of disposable diapers can cost up to $75 per month.

The Impacts

  • Many babies are often forced to spend the entire day or longer in a single diaper, because the family cannot afford to buy an adequate supply.
  • Inadequate diaper changing increases the risk of numerous health problems.
  • Studies show a baby crying from being in a soiled diaper for a prolonged period of time is at a greater risk of physical abuse by the caregiver.

Be on the lookout for the Purple Potty

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Has anyone heard of the Purple Potty Project? Participants wake up to find a purple toilet in their front yard and encourage neighbors to put donations into the tank. Well, we don’t have a toilet that will be traveling from office to office, but we do have a Purple Pot!

The Purple Pot will start out in the Child Development/Education Office (Room 266 Main) and will randomly travel around to other department offices for the next 56 days until Relay for Life begins! If the Purple Pot arrives in your area, please encourage donations for a few days then pass it on to another office! Make sure you pass the word through Communications if the pot arrives in your area!

Thanks so much for your participation!

Questions: Staci sdever@grcc.edu

Purple ribbons support Week of the Young Child

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April 6th-12th is The Week of the Young Child! The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The purpose of the Week of the Young Child is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.

Take a moment this week to recognize the early childhood professionals in your life! Stop by Room 266 Main and grab a purple ribbon to wear in recognition and support of Week of the Young Child/Month of the Young Child!

Teachers of Tomorrow Scholarship deadline extended

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Due to a low number of applicants, the Teachers of Tomorrow Scholarship deadline has been extended to May 1st at 5:00pm. Information about the scholarships and an application can be found at http://www.grcc.edu/educationandchilddevelopment/scholarships.

Please note that you must have already turned in the Foundation scholarship application to Financial Aid by March 17th, this deadline has NOT been extended.