Doctor, lawyer, engineer, computer specialist, navy pilot,

screen writer, professor, artist, musician, nurse,

emergency room technician…these are some of the former and current careers of people in San Diego Continuing Education’s Acquired Brain Injury Program, and now the long list includes “author”.  

Students in the ABI program have survived what most can only imagine. Now, a glimpse into the world of acquired brain injury, including stroke, is provided by a book authored by one of the program’s students.

Published under the pen name Billie Jo Waters, the book, Islands of Calm in the Chaos: Thoughts on Recovery from Brain Injury and Stroke, is a thought-provoking account of the student’s personal recovery and challenges.

The bookstore at the Educational Cultural Complex will carry copies for a limited time, or visit www.lulu.com and search for the author or title.

The PIA (Printing Industries Association) is a national organization that supports the Graphics trade.

Continuing Education’s free Job Training/Certificate Program classes for Electronic Prepress and Commercial Printing were recently highlighted in the industry’s local newsletter.

The new state-of-the-art equipment and classroom facilities in the Skills Center area at the Educational Cultural Complex were also pictured.

Cynthia Parks, Continuing Education Instructor for the Emeritus Program, is one of 30 outstanding senior volunteers to receive the 2010-11 California Senior Leaders Award sponsored by the California Senior Leaders Program (CSLP) through UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health.

The awards are based on individual contributions to community building or healthy living, and individuals who play a leadership role and have a proven commitment to social justice. Cynthia was one of 30 nominees chosen for this tribute.

Cynthia will become a member of the California Senior Leaders Alliance. A group that works together to advance aging policy issues at a state level. Her participation will give her an opportunity to work on policy issues, and travel to Sacramento to influence legislation.

It’s wonderful when Continuing Education students return to former classrooms and instructors to share their success stories.

Manuela Jimenez, a former Nursing Assistant student was recently awarded Employee of the Month by her employer, Windsor Gardens, a convalescent care center.

Nancy Wiewiora, the Director of Nursing at the care center said that Manuela has done a fabulous job there, and the facility is very proud and honored to have her help in their community. Manuela also recently received recognition from her peers for being compassionate.

“I like to help people,” said Manuela. “The residents I take care of begin to feel like family.”

Three California leadership projects (CALPRO, CASAS and OTAN) recently announced the next online webinar session of the Adult Education Administrators Forum: The I-BEST Model for Transition to Work.

The webinar explains the new instructional model that supports ESL students who are preparing to work as caregivers, and the Continuing Education VESL course for Personal Care Assistants/Caregivers is the model example, with an ESL teacher and a Registered Nurse in the same classroom.

The first class graduated in January with positive results. Hear about how administrators created the class, how teachers collaborated, and how learners responded.

The webinar is February 18, 2010 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Register at:

http://www.caadultedtraining.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=eventDetail&id=831&org=tr

The San Diego City Council unanimously passed a motion to approve a proclamation making February 2010 Black History Month in San Diego. The Council presented the proclamation to more than a dozen community members, recognized as “San Diego Black Pioneers” including San Diego Continuing Education Instructor Emma Wilson, and Past President, Dr. Robert Matthews.

A group of community members received the proclamation. Council member Tony Young identified the group as local pioneers who have paved the way and built the foundation for national pioneers such as Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson and Oprah Winfrey, so that progress can be made toward equality for all humankind.

Dr. Matthews addressed the Council, thanked them for the proclamation and encouraged them to do their part to help ensure that an accurate history of all cultures is taught in our educational institutions.

Many supporters gathered specifically for the purpose of hearing and seeing the proclamation, including colleagues, administrators and family members from Continuing Education supported Emma Wilson and Dr. Matthews for their participation in this recognition.

Eunice Williams was named a Metro Mover for 2010 by San Diego Metropolitan magazine. Eunice conducts three choral classes for San Diego Continuing Education: Cedar Center Chorus, Pacificaires, and NOTEables.

NOTEables were selected to perform at the pre-concert for the San Diego Summer Pops and also for the Benefit Gala for Neurosciences Institute, in Fall, 2009.

Cedar Center Chorus and Pacificaires were featured in the December 2009 With Excellence newsletter produced by the San Diego Community College District, and performed at NSI Auditorium on 12/20/2009 and at USD Shiley Theatre on 6/14/2009. They will perform a free concert at Sherwood Auditorium, MCASD in La Jolla on May 23, 2010, and the groups are looking forward to hosting singers from Russia in May, and from Brazil in October, 2010.

Eunice is pictured in the middle of the bottom row, just to the left of Mayor Sanders and President Webber of SDSU.

Cultural competence is “The ability to think, feel, and act in ways that acknowledge, respect and build upon ethnic, socio-cultural, and linguistic diversity.” (Lynch and Hanson, 1988)

Continuing Education Instructor, Martin K. Smith gave an exceptional overview to an audience of instructors and students about what it means to be culturally competent. Martin included stories from international Continuing Education students and their personal testimonies explaining the meaning of their individual cultures, and shared strengths and opportunities about their cultures, as well as about the culture in the US.

Student Panel (pictured L to R: Van Pham, Ghada Abdul Zahra, Isha Meberwa, Eliuth Perez Castro and Monique Bernard ) and representatives from the International Rescue Committee.

This week is dedicated to educating and promoting the importance of Graphic
Arts and Printing in our everyday life. Graphic Arts and Printing is California’s second largest industry (second to the Motion Picture industry).

International Printing Week begins each year the week of January 17th; the birthday of Benjamin Franklin. You may know that before he was a statesman and inventor, Franklin became America’s first millionaire at 46 years old as a result of his printing business.

Continuing Education offers free Job Training/Certificate programs for Commercial Printing and Electronic Prepress, and this week, Fox 5 News is highlighting our Graphics program. Be certain to check out the story at http://www.fox5sandiego.com/.