Dennis Killion, a Youth Provider and Special Education teacher at Apple Valley High School, shares some challenges he has faced in aiding and supporting at-risk young adults during a pandemic. With 31 years of teaching experience, Killion coordinates two state-funded programs: the Workability Program and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). He works with young adults, ranging from 17 to 22 years old, to provide them lessons on life skills and job employment readiness. Q: How has COVID-19 impacted the services that you provide to young adults? A: It has changed a little bit due to COVID, I have gotten a lot of younger kids who are deficient in credits. The way it … [Read more...] about Impacts of COVID-19 on a county’s youth provider
virtual learning
Opinion: Looking back on CSUSB’s transition to semesters
CSUSB's transition to the semester system in the midst of a pandemic has brought upon mixed feelings. As the fall semester comes to an end, a professor and a few students share how they endured the transitions. Brandon Johns, a full-time lecturer in the Department of Philosophy, sees semesters as something he will have to get used to. Johns says, “I like quarters because I like the quicker pace of a 10-week term.” Because of the added five weeks, Professor Johns has found himself having to assign more homework, causing him to be swamped with grading. Along with the added weeks, the transition to online has been a challenge for him to keep students engaged and interested in the course … [Read more...] about Opinion: Looking back on CSUSB’s transition to semesters
Advice: How to combat virtual spring semester
Some students at CSUSB are new to online schooling and therefore still adapting to this difficult transition. How can we make the most of it, you may ask? Think about it this way: if you have made it this far in online schooling, you will get through it next semester, too. 2020 has been a very weird year. I confess I did not expect it to be as bad and strange as it currently is. It is difficult to stay attentive in a virtual school, especially with all of the available and easily-accessible distractions in a house. Some of the best pieces of advice I can give is to stay disciplined and motivated. One way to do this is to take about four or five hours a day and dedicate it … [Read more...] about Advice: How to combat virtual spring semester
Restrictions of virtual learning during a pandemic
The lack of face-to-face modes of instruction raises concerns about how students will succeed academically. Karen Escalante, an assistant professor for teacher education and foundation at CSUSB, states that the virtual learning environment is different from what she is used to. “There are things that we’re not able to do because we’re not face-to-face, but there are things that we are now able to do in this virtual space that we couldn't if we were face-to-face,” said Escalante. Because of the virtual environment, instructors are now able to invite guest speakers from afar in their classes via Zoom, which wasn’t an opportunity they had before. Maria Medina is an algebra teacher at … [Read more...] about Restrictions of virtual learning during a pandemic
Advice: Succeeding in online classes 101
With online classes now being the new normal, students have to adapt to this new change. Unfortunately, this poses a lot of challenges for students that aren't accustomed to this type of learning. Compared to in-person classes, online classes have the flexibility of doing work at your own pace and working independently, but for other students, traditional classroom learning is one of the key factors for their successes. As someone who prefers online classes and has been taking them ever since the start of college, I understand the struggles of online classes. While it's not for everyone, here are some ways that have helped me succeed in online classes and hopefully will help you as … [Read more...] about Advice: Succeeding in online classes 101
Work, teach, study, repeat: The life of CSUSB parent/student during the COVID-19 pandemic
“I have to spend the day with my children first and then I have to get to work,” says CSUSB student, Miriam Barajas. “It's tiring and I know it is my responsibility as a mother, but that does not make the situation any less difficult.” Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the university will continue with the virtual semester in the fall, while the fate of K-12 school learning mode remains to be determined. Miriam Barajas is 1 in 5 college students, who according to the U.S Department of Education, are parents. She is one of the parent students who are facing the struggle of having to be active members in their classrooms and that of their children. It’s important in times like these to … [Read more...] about Work, teach, study, repeat: The life of CSUSB parent/student during the COVID-19 pandemic