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BAY MILLS - The second group of Bay Mills Community college students to graduate with four-year degrees and certification in elementary education were honored on Thursday, Dec. 22, in Horizons Conference Center at Bay Mills Resort and Casino.
The ceremony was followed by a luncheon attended by friends and family members of the graduates, the BMCC Board of Regents, community members, and faculty/representatives from both BMCC and Ferris State University. Paul Pioszak, a political science and English teacher from Sault Area High School served as the guest speaker. Pioszak, a distinguished teacher and recipient of multiple teaching awards, including the National Education Award, the Teachers of Excellence Award through the State Department of Education, delivered a speech to inspire the recent graduates.
Students honored for their accomplishments at the ceremony were: Jennifer Anziano, Laurie Jarvie, Richard Lee, Wanda Mitchell, Elaine Parish, Susan Pierce, and Sheryl Sheber.
A majority of the students were recipients of the American Indian Teacher Corp grant. The goal of the AITC grant, through the U.S. Department of Education, allows for more Native American students to become teachers. AITC funding pays for tuition, books and provides a monthly living stipend. This group was the second cohort of students to be funded at BMCC by this grant.
BMCC began its ongoing partnership with FSU in January 2000. Through the partnership, area students can earn a four-year degree with Michigan elementary certification from FSU at the Bay Mills campus. Two-thirds of the total tuition is at BMCC rates.
The program combines standard on-campus classes with on-line and weekend classes to teach the 130 hours required for certification. Additionally, students completed one semester of student teaching, with a two-hour professional seminar. The first two years of the program lead to an associate of arts degree in education and provides course study for individuals who would like to be paraprofessionals (teacher aides). Federal law now requires paraprofessionals to have a two-year degree.
The program features courses that encourage a culturally diverse curriculum and teaching methods that best serve rural and Native children. Students can also elect to enhance their understanding of Ojibwe history and culture through the many courses offered at BMCC in Great Lakes Native Studies.
For more information on the programs at BMCC, contact Julie Hopper at 248-3354 ext. 4236 or Maria Cantarero at ext. 4226.
Hopper is the teacher education coordinator at Bay Mills Community College.
