A-B Tech, Buncombe County Schools Partner on New High School
No dirt will be turned and no steel erected, but a new high school will open on the Asheville campus of A-B Tech this fall.
The Early College High School is part of a high school reform initiative called Learn and Earn launched by Gov. Mike Easley last September in response to the state's workforce development needs. Developed through a partnership between A-B Tech and the Buncombe County School System, the school will serve as a model for the creation of other Early Colleges across North Carolina.
A unique curriculum design will allow rising ninth-graders to earn a high school diploma and an associate's degree in five years. Students will take self-contained "Huskins" classes in the Birch Building that provide both high school and college credit during the ninth and 10th grades. During the 11th and 12th grades, the students will be mixed in classrooms with A-B Tech students, earning high school and college credit through dual enrollment. Classes will be taught by instructors from both A-B Tech and the Buncombe County School System.
Career Pathways Director Marilyn McDonald says locating Early College on A-B Tech's campus will benefit the College in many ways. In addition to serving as a model for the state, the school will allow A-B Tech faculty to develop long-term relationships with students who will be well prepared for college coursework. It also will provide a new population of students for A-B Tech since many of those selected for Early College will be students who are underserved in traditional high schools, including students who may be the first in their families to go to college, students who have financial limitations that may make college unattainable, and minority students. "This is a perfect opportunity for us to live our mission statement (of being dedicated to student success)," McDonald said.
Pat David, an A-B Tech adjunct who will be teaching ACA 115, a first-year seminar, to Early College students this fall, attended a retreat in June to learn more about the school. "The retreat fostered a strong sense of collegiality/community," David said. "Prior to the retreat, I knew very little about Early College. (Now) I have a greater understanding about the Early College process and have shared this vital information with local community members and educators.
"As with any life situation, one size does not fit all. Early College is going to be such an awesome resource for the students, their families, local high schools, A-B Tech and the larger community," David said.
Retreat participants had an opportunity to get acquainted with each other, learn about Early College, share any concerns, and discuss teaching innovations and challenges.
Gigi Derballa, A-B Tech's chairperson of Developmental Studies, Honors, and the First-Year Seminar, said the June retreat was not her first, but allowed her to get to know other Early College teachers and staff members better.
"It also helped to understand and share concerns that both Early College and A-B Tech instructors have," Derballa said. "I don't know that any of the concerns (like taking up some of our space, sharing our labs, or having lots of young 'uns on campus) were actually eliminated, but I have come to develop complete trust with the Early College faculty and staff.
"I believe we can all work cooperatively, although some of us may have to compromise a little," Derballa said. "If we really understand the value and purpose of Early College, compromise should not be a problem to 'A-B Techers.' The Early College folks are flexible and easy to work with, and I don't believe they would ever take advantage of this shared campus situation. The goal is to provide the best education for a particular group of students, and we, more than anyone, should understand."
Out with the Old
Terry Wyszynski, Systems and Technical Services librarian, escorts the last of the "dumb terminals" from active use in the LRC. The library's system migration from Dynix CLASSIC to HORIZON is near completion.
Foundation Profiles
Julie Burnette
Julie Burnette entered the Practical Nursing Education program after spending the past seven years as a CNA at Elderberry Healthcare. "When I become a nurse, I will strive to give my patients the best care, compassion, and attention possible," she wrote. "My career plan is to be the best nurse I can, with every patient, on every shift. I believe that caring for people is my purpose in life, therefore, I will make an earnest effort to complete my education."
Jacob LaBerge
Jacob LaBerge plans to finish his degree in Networking Technology, and then work with his father-in-law at an electric company where there is a great need for network administrators. "All the skills and experiences I have learned and will learn from A-B Tech will be an advantage for me to work at the job, and to help others as well," he wrote. "I am profoundly deaf, so I have to work harder to get good grades and it takes a lot of my time. A-B Tech has one of the best programs for Networking Technology and I believe I will benefit greatly from it."
Dreamea Tate
Dreamea Tate graduated in May with her Associate's Degree in Nursing. "I feel that I could not have a more caring staff to help me reach my eventual goal of getting a master's degree in nursing," she wrote. "Through the teachers' dedication, I have been able to become a member of the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society." She went to Western Carolina University for a year before transferring to A-B Tech. "To this day, I'm glad I did."
Kathleen White
Kathleen White graduated with her degree in Medical Sonography while consistently making the President's and Dean's lists. She plans to work in an imaging facility specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. "Right now I find the care of women and pregnant women the most interesting to me. I would like to focus on this area of expertise," she wrote. "It took over a year to get into this program and I worked very hard."
Leela Cheyne
Leela Cheyne also received the Mountain Renaissance Adventure Faire Scholarship, in addition to the Grace Joan Love Schneider award. She graduated with an associate degree in Fine Arts with her focus on graphic design. "I will probably start with a small design firm and eventually do freelance design," she wrote. "I am very interested in publishing, too. I am open to any of the avenues this field has, and there are many." She worked in India for three months as an art director for a children's camp. "I found this experience to be both very challenging and rewarding."