Fall trimester begins October 4! I have been organizing volunteer teachers for our classes and registering students for the computer class that Janeel (Americorps worker) and I will be teaching. I am trying to assess what skills students would like to develop to assist us in planning curriculum. Our first class will focus primarily on using the internet. We will teach how to create an e-mail account, how to use search engines, and examine selected websites. One website of particular interest for La Casa Hogar students is www.rif.org/leer.
I have also gotten a license to use a program called A+. We will be using this program to supplement our GED preparation class. The program is unique because it allows students to work independently at whatever level they test into. Students will first take an adaptive pre-test and then will be given assignments based upon their scores.
Other projects that I have been working on include class brochures in English & Spanish, researching interactive driving program software, and working to improve our website (www.lacasahogar.org).
I am working on a variety of projects. First, I am preparing to teach a computer class to adults. I am in the process of registering people for the class, and it is challenging because the students have different levels of computer skills. Some students need help setting-up an e-mail account, while others would like to learn about Microsoft Office applications. Additionally, some of the students in this course speak primarily Spanish while others are native English speakers.
I am also working with Eisenhower High School to gain access to a computer-based education program called A+. Students can use this program to independently learn about subjects such as English, History, Geography, Mathematics, Science, and more. At La Casa Hogar we are trying to integrate A+ with a GED prep class. Ultimately, I would like to have this program available for use by children and adults during open lab hours.
I have also been developing feedback outcomes for September Experience using a program called survey monkey (surveymonkey.com). The program is free and provides an electronic format for sending surveys. We are sending surveys to September Experience students to obtain feedback about the Spanish immersion courses that we offered. Finally, I am creating promotional materials for our fall trimester classes that begin October 4. I am creating brochures and flyers in both English and Spanish. It is a challenging task!
The mission of La Casa Hogar/Yakima Interfaith Coalition is to serve the Yakima community through shared resources and educational opportunities. We seek to build bridges between the white and Mexican immigrant populations in the valley. We offer educational classes such as ESL (English as a second language), driving, and computers. We also offer programs that focus on interaction between mothers and children aged 0-3 years.
Additionally, we provide emergency services through the generous donations of twenty-five faith communities that comprise the Yakima Interfaith Coalition. The goal of our emergency services is to assist people through support and listening to identify resources available to address their emergency needs. We provide services such as utility shut-off prevention, city transportation, prescription medication, and gasoline.
I've been working at La Casa Hogar for a week, & I've already learned a great deal about how this place works (he aprendido mucho)! I've met the fabulous staff that I work with & participated in events such as September Experience and United Way Day of Caring. September Experience was an event that brought people in the Yakima community to La Casa Hogar to learn Spanish and gain insights into Mexican culture. The United Way event brought workers from Yakima's business community to La Casa Hogar for a day. The workers landscaped, planted flowers, and shared authentic mexican cuisine with us.
We are planning our class schedule for October. I am looking for new ways to incorporate the community technology center into the curriculum. I am working to establish connections with Central Washington University and Yakima Valley Community College to implement a GED preparation program at our center. I am also working with the staff to see how we can incorporate the use of computers into existing curriculum.
Additionally, I am researching software options. La Casa Hogar is planning to purchase new fundraising software, and I am trying to establish what would be best to fill the needs of this organization.