Portsmouth NH Classes

OK fans, I moved to Michigan and was expecting lots of snow. Well, it was a sunny day today and around fifty-two degrees.  I went for a walk with my neighbor and we surely enjoyed the day.  It was January and in Michigan, this was not suppose to be a nice day, it was suppose to be cold with about a foot or two of snow!!  One just never knows, maybe I  brought up the warm weather with me when I moved from South Carolina, or maybe it is just luck. If it is luck, well I feel pretty lucky in Michigan.  I have felt lucky before in my life and that is when I went to Portsmouth, NH to take my Nutrition class that I just loved. I learned so much in that class that was held at the Portsmouth NH College. That class was so beneficial to my life and my well being. Learning about Nutrition was interesting and with the obesity rate soring, it is so important to learn what to eat that keeps you healthy. Granite State College has so many good beneficial classes. Whether you are going to just learn about something that interest you or if you are working to obtain your degree, it is a great school. 

Michigan is a great place too. It is the place I remember as HOME, where I grew up and now live once again.  I hope the snow is nice to me this year, so far it has been. But if it does show up one of these wintery mornings, I know it will pass and summer will be here again before I know it. Summer, to enjoy my bike rides, kayak adventures and some hiking. It is no different than classes. They pass and before you know it, you have earned your degree.  Just remember, you can do it. I did and am so glad I did.

Since December 2010 when I graduated from Granite State College, I have been considering the possibilities of what I might do next.  As a result of achieving my Bachelor's Degree in Language Arts, I have gotten involved in a writing project that is very important to me.

As a  way to learn more about the book-writing process, I attended a Writer's Workshop at the University of Southern New Hampshire that was facilitated by Mary Carroll Moore, a published author.

Since the termination of my adults college classes at the Rochester NH and Portsmouth NH college campuses, I have missed the collaboration with my peers very much.  I am transitioning to the next level of my educational journey. During my weekend workshop I once again felt the connection of being with like-minded individuals who were sharing my path.  I think this is an important issue to address sooner than later, once the initial cessation of college classes sets in.

Tonight, in my child development class at Granite State College's Portsmouth NH college campus, we were talking about cognitive development of high school students. We discussed how during the high school years, children are transitioning to adulthood, not only in their size, but also in their thinking. Students in high school begin to analyze things from a variety of perspectives. They start to think of themselves as part of a larger world and they start to make moral judgments based on an understanding of right and wrong. You might not think that education classes at Granite State College would touch on world issues, but as we discussed thinking and reasoning, we also talked about issues facing not only today's teens, but also issues facing our country and our world. Should we be concerned about the fate of people half way around the world in Japan? Should we care about how the United States is responding to the crisis in Libya? There are many classes at Granite State College that will allow you to think more deeply about world issues. Think about registering for online classes or face to face classes. These might be behavioral science classes or critical thinking or an online class for criminal justice. Try registering for an adult education class. Many of the classes will encourage you to think and offer you a chance to discuss your ideas with other people who are also interested in world issues.

I went to college long ago... in the dark ages... before online education became an accepted way to get an education. I often wonder if I would have liked going to college in my own living room. I think about people interested in going to college in Berlin NH, or Littleton NH, or Lebanon NH, or taking  Manchester NH Classes or Portsmouth NH Classes or Rochester NH Classes and I think.. wow.. if people from all over New Hampshire decided to go to college at Granite State College they could all be going to the same class at the same time right in their own homes. Maybe that is one benefit of online education. You would come in contact with people from other areas of the state that you might never have known. It wouldn't be the same in some ways, because you would not be going out to coffee before class with online friends, but, think of the possibilities online courses present. Maybe the idea of online education is really catching on, especially at places like Granite State because people are so busy, but they still want the benefits of making connections while getting career college training and affordable continuing education without the constraints of a particular time to be sitting in a classroom. I think I would have liked online classes when I went to school. How about you?

Every time I begin a new semester, I wonder about the kinds of students that will come through the door at Granite State College. I wonder about ages, past educational experiences, work history, reasons for coming to class and I wonder if I will be able to meet all the various needs for attending Adult Education classes at Granite State College.

This semester was no different except that I was teaching at the Portsmouth NH college campus, where I have always taught at Rochester NH college campus. I entered the Portsmouth NH campus for the first time and was greeted by a work study student. She welcomed me, assuming that I was a student. She asked if I was ready to begin classes. I smiled and thought how much fun it would be to be taking one of the many continuing education classes at Granite State College. For a moment I envied the adults that come to do an Adult Education Certificate or an Adult Accelerated Degree Program. I love teaching the courses, but what fun to take one.

I felt so welcomed at Portsmouth and so excited about the new semester. So thank you for welcoming me to my "new" campus.  Come and visit yourself and see all the course options Granite State has to offer.

I wanted to share news about a recent addition to the faculty ranks at the Portsmouth NH college campus here at Granite State College.  Teaching two courses this coming Winter Term will be Dr. Rachel Rogers.  Rachel holds a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology and will be teaching the following Portsmouth courses:

PSY 609, Cognition and Learning on Monday evenings

PSY 608, Social Psychology on Tuesday evenings

Granite State College is thrilled to have Rachel's talent in our classrooms, and as she notes: "My primary goal for teaching is that the students will be excited about learning and about how the things they learn in class can inform and be applied to other aspects of their lives." 

Granite State: Portsmouth NH College Students

It was a sunny Saturday morning September 26, 2010 when over 3,000 people came out to run a 5k, 1k or walk the distance for breast cancer. I was one of them. They raised more than $500,000 for the cause. I had a great time at Race. My boss, Jim, and friend, Jana, all ran the distance. None of us beat our times but we did finish. There had to be ten or more hills; hate those hills that wind through downtown Greenville, SC., but, we got the t-shirts and had a good day.

All three of us learned that so many people have suffered with breast cancer, had families that suffered, lost loved ones from the disease. Learning is something that takes place in all forms of life, school, work, friendships and even races. We learn how to deal with things, how to improve our times in the race, how we deal with loss of loved ones. Whether it be by experiences through our life or at college.

Granite State College gave me such insight into the world, to life, to be able to think outside the box. Whether it was online adult learning classes or face-to-face classes in Manchester NH college campus or the Portsmouth NH college campus, I learned so much. Just like I learned so much entering this fundraising function for Breast Cancer.

So many people had names of loved ones pinned to their backs of their t-shirts. So many had Survivor t-shirts on, how wonderful, others went because they had daughters whom they cared about with hopes of finding a cure for this disease. It was a great day and a great learning experience.

 Have you ever thought about teacher training education? Have you wondered how people become teachers at the early childhood or elementary levels? Childhood education classes are what makes it possible for teachers to become teachers. If individuals do not take education classes they are likely to just copy what they saw in school themselves. So look back at your own learning career. You probably had some great teachers and some ordinary teachers. Unfortunately you may have had more ordinary teachers. Yet if you want to teach, you want to be one of the great teachers. And that doesn't just suddenly happen. You need to become involved in childhood education classes that challenge you to think and to expand your knowledge. You need to be equipped to change with the times. 
Classes at Granite State College make that possible. The classes are scheduled in the evenings so you can work during the day and expand your skills at night. You can enroll in just one class, at a local campus such as  Portsmouth NH classes or Rochester NH classes, or you can take online classes. 
Recently a student at Granite State College observed in an elementary school classroom and saw the teacher handing out worksheet packets while students got into trouble. She decided that the lesson was a good lesson until she was challenged in her evening class at Granite State to think about what could have been done differently to reach the many needs and learning styles in the classroom. Her thinking was challenged and with her classmates she discussed other options. Now and in the future her own students will have the benefit of her learning and experience. That thinking and reflecting is what makes ordinary teachers great.

This term at our Portsmouth NH College, we are offering a course entitled "Law and Society."  This is one of our evening college classes, and for Granite State students, often adults, there is a great deal of relevance with this subject matter.  Consider for a moment the impact of legislation and laws on all of our lives.      

We have the great fortune to have Stacey Bellabona, Esq. teaching this course for us.  Stacey draws from a wide variety of experiences as a practicing attorney and former NH Supreme Court clerk.  She offers students a practical, hands-on, and applied perspective on Law and Society. . .and to that point, she recently had a guest from her law firm visit class.  I can only imagine the wonderful and enlightened conversation that occured this week with William "Bill" Shaheen, Esq, a seacoast attorney with 35+ years of experience which includes serving as the City Attorney for Somersworth, US Attorney for the State of New Hampshire, and a NH District Court Judge.  

As the New Hampshire State College with a mission of access and service to communities, we live, work, teach and learn in our communities - so it is nice when community comes to our classrooms!   


L - R: Stacey Bellabona, Bill Shaheen

This week marked the end of Winter Term classes at Granite State College.  That means no more weekend college classes, online classes or evening college classes (at least for a couple of weeks).  What did I do with my free time?  I hiked up to Tuckerman Ravine on Mt. Washington this Saturday, and did some spring skiing.  A person mentioned to me that "there are days you don't go to Tuckerman Ravine; there are days you do go; and there is THE day to ski Tucks."  I think it is safe to say that this was THE day this spring to motivate up to this unique place in New Hampshire.  What an amazing day! 

Pics below. . .but don't forget, you still have time to register for Spring classes at our Rochester NH College and Portsmouth NH College.  I should also probably mention that you can take classes at our Conway NH College. . .which is only 20 minutes down the road from where I started my hike!!

I continue to be amazed by the individuals that teach here at Granite State College.  I'm pleased that this blog has provided an opportunity to trumpet news about so many of the unique people that contribute to learning at this wonderful New Hampshire State College. 

Just the other day, Dr. William "Bill" Cuff popped by my office.  To say Bill is interesting would be a true understatement.  In addition to teaching behavioral science classes here at Granite State College, Bill teaches at UNH, and is also heavily involved with service projects, through groups like Danny's Team.  

Bill was chatting with me about his upcoming class this Spring at our Portsmouth NH College - PSY 602, Theories of Personality.  The structure of this class exemplifies the Granite State perspective on adult college education: it is a weekend-intensive that takes place over five Saturdays.  Yes, Granite State offers affordable Bachelor degree programs, but weekend college classes also work for students with other obligations.  

Bill is off to New Orleans and Mississipi next week for more service.  As part of this trip he mentioned an opportunity to visit the hometown of Medgar Evers.  His eyes were lit-up and intense, and I thought - right, so this is quite a person to have teaching here in our corner of the New Hampshire University System.       

Twins! 

With a colleague from our Portsmouth NH College, we visited with one of our Faculty members that gave birth to twins this past fall.  Dr. Angele Fauchier teaches behavioral science classes for Granite State College in Portsmouth and at our Rochester NH College.  As Angele commented to me, being the parent of twins is her Human Development course come to life!  Angele is also keeping a fantastic blog that is incredibly educational.  I was thrilled to hear Angele discuss incorporating her experiences as a parent of twins into her future teaching.       

Aside from marveling at what it takes to care for twins, and of couse sleep patterns, we also discussed online classes for adults, and part time classes, and being a lifelong learning college.  Yet what struck me about this visit, apart from holding Angele's wonderful children, and comparing parenting stories, was the very direct connection to adult college education.  Dr. Fauchier is an excellent example of what our New Hampshire State College provides: it is quite valuable to learn in small classes, with accomplished faculty teaching from experience.

I just have to say it again - twins!



       

I had an interesting conversation with a student this evening at our Portsmouth NH College.  I asked about her experience taking adult college classes with Granite State College, and her response made me sit up and pay attention.  Because I hire Faculty that teach in both Portsmouth and our Rochester NH College, I was fascinated by her take on teaching at this particular NH State College.  For her, the individuals that teach our adult college classes are "fresh."  

I thought - well isn't that something for New Hampshire Colleges and Universities to consider.  Granite State College does indeed have unique people in our classrooms bringing current, "fresh" and unique perspectives with them.  I believe it was this student's view that our Faculty truly want to be in our classrooms, and offer a great deal.  

This student asked me in return - so, what do I look for when I hire Faculty?  Clearly I'll now be thinking about a "fresh" perspective. . .but rather than list particular qualities, I thought I would be specific.  Whether you are interested in classes for early childhood education, or behavioral science or management, chances are, you might consider a Sociology class as part of your adult college degree.  If that class is with Granite State College in either Rochester or Portsmouth, you could have the pleasure of hearing a "fresh" perspective from Dr. Nena Stracuzzi.  Take a listen here to Nena talking about her research involving students from Northern New Hampshire.  This is how we keep teaching at Granite State College fresh, and why I feel so fortunate to have individuals like Nena Stracuzzi as our Faculty.     

I'm writing this post with my other hat on, that of an online educator.  I'm currently teaching Developmental Writing online to students from GSC.  Out of the NH Colleges and Universities, Granite State truly has it right in that our instructors are professionals in their fields and our small class sizes make both our online courses and face to face classes a close knit learning community.  As a professional, wife, mother and friend, I can tell you that there is not enough time in the day for all of us to accomplish all the things we find of value in our lives.  At GSC, instructors get that.  We understand that we all have a lot of balls in the air and with many choices of colleges to take Portsmouth NH classes and more and more online schools for adults, you will want to get an education somewhere that understands the challenges you face outside of school. 

Adult College Degree programs where you can take classes at night or from the convenience of your own home, that are also affordable, are a rarity in the state.  The quality of our programs for the cost is quite good. 

Teaching writing online has been interesting.  Many students feel they did not get the grammar and sentence structure education in their secondary school experience.  Our Developmental Writing course helps students learn the basics to prepare for Accuplacer testing in Sentence Skills.  I think my students would tell you that they have learned a great deal from the class so far...more to come!

Hello Everyone!
As a part of my Adult  College Education Program, I am presently taking the most wonderful class!  It is called Environmental Heritage which covers a wide range of topics pertaining to our New England area.

Due to the nature of our study in this particular class, two field trips are included as part of the accredited experience.  Sunday, January 31, 2010 we went on our first field trip. Did I tell you that the Instructor for this class is brilliant?  Well, he is!  And, the reason why I tell you this is because his brilliance, his ability to answer questions and to provide his students with good and interesting information is what set this educational experience aside for me.

I enjoyed this field trip more than any other because of the Instructor's passion for the subject matter.  His amazing enthusiasm was contagious.

We first visited an actual working farm in South Hampton, New Hampshire.  We had the opporutunity to pick the brain of a Farmer who is actually making his living by farming the land.  In his hothouse, where we actually saw radishes growing in the ground on the last, (freezing) day of January.  And, for the first time in my life I heard the word "vole" and just had to ask, "What is a vole?"
Well, let me tell you, a vole is  a rodent with chopped off ears and a chopped off tail and looks like a sausage.

Farming is a tough life, but Andre is passionate and dedicated to the cause of growing his own food, knowing what and where his calories come from, and he will continue to farm as his life's work.

Adult Education Programs become relative to the individual.  That is for certain.
I have never known a farmer from my generation and if I had not taken this course as a part of my Adult Education Program I might never have met Andre, at his farm in South Hampton, New Hampshire.

After our visit at the farm, we  journeyed further south to Plum Island in Newburyport, Massachusetts. Have I told you how blue the sky was or how crisp the air was on that day? It was a perfect day for our brisk yet cheerful walk along the board walk to the bird screens where we looked out toward the Parker River and saw huge mounds of Marsh Grasses that we think were built by muskrats.  Because the Instructor of this particular Adult Education course is so knowledgeable, combined with the fact that I was not in a good position to take notes, I have actually forgotten the name of the grasses (sorry to say).  But, I did take photos for the notebook I am creating for this course.

We observed SCAT.  Now, scat is not for everyone.  But... this course does give you a better understanding of what scat teaches us about the habitual underpinnings of wildlife.  In nature, scat marks territories and... if you look very, very closely at it.. and I mean get right down there on the boardwalk and take a look at it.. you can actually discover what the animals are eating which tells you what the food sources are for wild life in the area.  So, if we recognize fox scat it is because we know what they eat and we know they are there with us ... somewhere.

I loved it best of all, when I learned aabout the squirrels and how they actually discovered maple syrup!  We watched as Dan bit into a very old Red Maple tree with lots of "bruises" on it.  He then told us how squirrels bite into the tree to eat the sap.  It was by watching squirrels do this and asking why, that sap was discovered, reducing it was discovered and Maple Syrup was born.

My Adult Education Program is a gift from my husband but it is so much more than that to me because I just love the learning process.  So far, I have taken Portsmouth NH classes and Rochester NH classes through Granite State College and I am very happy with them.  I make every effort to get the most out this experience as I can.

Learning is vital to my experience of Adult College Education.  It is one of the joys in my life.

If you work for the NH Department of Environmental Services I will be attending your Wellness Fair on February 2nd...come and learn more about Granite State College's continuing education degrees.

Students currently in the CCSNH come out and see Outreach Coordinators at your respective campuses the first week in February.  The University of New Hampshire System is holding Transfer Fairs at each campus.  On Friday, February 5th I will be at Great Bay Community College for Rochester NH college and Portsmouth NH college students.   Check out www.nhtransfer.net to look at transfer options. 

Students currently at York County Community College, I will be visiting your campus on February 10th.  Stop by and learn more about taking classes online, night college classes or
teacher training education. 

Hope to see you on the road!