A longtime educator in the area is bringing an Adams State University graduate course for teachers to the county this summer.
Barbara Rousseau is offering “Transformative Teaching”, a three-credit summer immersion course that will focuses on critical self-reflection to encourage personal and professional development
In addition to many years of teaching experience and a doctorate in educational leadership, Rousseau had a founding role at what is now Southwest Community College and was a regional coordinator for the state’s school to career program in the 1990s.
She is collaborating with three other instructors to incorporate community based practicums into the class.
Her class will incorporate a structured journal process and lesson plan redesign to provide tools for classroom empowerment and efficacy.
During the class, teachers can select from three practicums, including a personal practicum called Visioning with Tami Graham; one focused on social justice called Immigration Services with Nicole Mosher; and an entrepreneurial practicum called Small Business Startups with Monique Alvarez.
Visioning is “for those individuals want to go the next step into self discovery,” Rousseau said.
Immigration Services will delve into human right issues and help teachers understand what a what a pathway to citizenship entails.
Small Business Startups will focus on the skills teachers need to instill in students who are interested in entrepreneurism. Local entrepreneurs spend time with the class.
All the material will be applicable to classrooms and Rousseau’s intent is to help teachers regenerate a passion for profession.
“Everything they do they are supposed to bring back to the classroom,” Rousseau said.
The class will be offered July 7-31, with partial coursework held at the Mancos Public Library.
There are scholarship opportunities available. Pre-registration is open via email through April 30 on a first come, first serve basis. Space is limited to the first 30 applicants.
Pre-register by sending contact information and first and second practicum choices to barbara9rousseau@gmail.com.