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The educators in attendance were: Sandra Ballenger, Paula Morris and Danny Scarborough from Appling County, Sherry Richards, Vanessa Crawford and Art Letoha from Jeff Davis County and Suzanne Stephens, April Smith, Ann Thompson, Amanda Blocker, Linda Brannen and Cory Brace from Long County. |
It is summer and school is out! Teachers, students, and other school administrators began their summer vacation a few weeks ago. However, some educators chose to spend their first week of vacation at college, as students. Twelve teachers and counselors from Appling, Jeff Davis and Long County schools attended Altamaha Technical College’s Summer Educator Academy. The week consisted of a schedule full of speakers, tours, and activities. “The purpose of this week is for local educators to not only learn about Altamaha Technical College but to experience technical education in order to take what they have learned back to their students,” explains Rod Lane who coordinates the academy.
The group spent time on all three campuses. During the tours each person had the opportunity to try some hands-on learning activities. They began at the Jesup campus, exploring such programs as Welding and Joining Technology, Automotive Technology and Electronics Technology. While in the lab, the group had the opportunity to test their welding skills and cut out their own designs. During the tour of the Heavy Equipment Training Facility in Baxley, students showed some of the teachers how to maneuver a backhoe for the first time.
While on the Baxley Campus, the practical nursing students taught the group the proper way to check blood pressure, and each educator got the chance to try out the Commercial Truck Driving simulators. At the Hazlehurst campus, everyone had the opportunity to drive the dragster built by the welding dual enrollment students and at the Big House educators enjoyed a delicious first class meal prepared by students in the Culinary Arts Program.
Each year, attendees are also given the opportunity to visit local industry. This year the group visited American Welding and Tank in Jesup. They were able to tour the facility and learn about the company, what they do, and the importance of a well trained workforce provided by Altamaha Technical College.
At the end of the week, each educator was asked to express how their view of technical education had changed after attending the academy. “Every year I continue to get excited reading the reports written by the educators,” stated Lane. “They are always amazed by all the services we offer, our many program options and the vital importance technical education plays in our community and state. “This week has been a complete revolution for me with regard to my understanding of the workings and scope of technical education” stated Danny Scarborough an Appling County High School teacher. “The quality of the faculty and the overall facilities on all three campuses was overwhelming and the amount of high-tech, modern equipment is absolutely unbelievable.“
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