Feb-Mar08counselor - Arkansas Department of Career Education ...

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page 12 Division of Rehabilitation Services Employee Crowned Ms. Wheelchair Arkansas O ne of the Department of Workforce Education’s Division of Rehabilitation Services’ (DRS) most decorated employees has racked up another honor. DRS District 1-North front office receptionist Jonna Bloodworth was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Arkansas February 9 at Little Rock’s Peabody Hotel. Jonna Bloodworth Jonna says she started preparing for the contest last August by talking to people, seeking financial support for her run and even selecting the clothes she’d wear during the contest. Even though Jonna should be used to winning some pretty prestigious awards by now (last year alone she was named DRS Statewide Employee of the Month and honored with The Connie Gross Leadership Award), she says this latest honor came as a surprise. “I was shocked and didn’t think I had a chance, but what a great thing,” Jonna said. “I can be a voice for the people now and this year will be the best yet.” Jonna says she’ll use her new position to talk about disability awareness. “I will be going around the state to places like schools and doctors’ offices talking to people about the disability world,” she said. “Also I’ll start a computer gaming rehab. I see more and more people staying home getting hooked on video games, not wanting to do anything but play. If we don’t get some help for them they will be lost. It is just like drugs or something like that. Gaming destroys families.” Jonna’s winning praise from all over DRS, even at the top. “I was pleased to receive the news announcing Jonna’s title. We are all very proud of her accomplishment,” said Rehabilitation Services Commissioner Robert Treviño. “She has been a tremendous asset and inspiration to us during her time with DRS. Last year, her colleagues recognized her spirit and professionalism by resoundingly nominating her for the Connie Gross Award. Words are incomplete when describing the strength she brings to our agency and as a role model for Arkansas.” Next up for Jonna is the Ms. Wheelchair America Pageant scheduled for July in Maryland. Jonna says she’s currently seeking backers and funds to finance the trip. JUSTUS continued from page 3 In addition, The Jack Justus Education Center at Camp Couchdale was dedicated because as chair of the FFA Foundation, he was instrumental in securing funding from the state and in raising approximately $500,000 in private donations for renovations to the camp. “All of that is flattering, but what I see that is encouraging is how the young people are doing whatever they can to take a greater interest in leadership skills,” Justus said. “That’s what it’s all about.” While areas of agriculture and youth programs have been a focus for Justus, learning and contributing to the betterment of all the programs and services under the Department of Workforce Education has been a priority. “Part of our mission as a board is to help educate and train people in many different areas and those who have many different needs,” he said. “From GED training, career and technical education and rehabilitation services, this agency is one of the few places they can get it all under one roof. “I am very proud of the work done by the entire agency and look forward to continuing to work with Director Bill Walker and his staff on doing more and providing more services for the citizens of our state. “It’s about keeping up with the challenges the workforce has in today’s world and how we can assist in training that workforce. Being a part of it is very special,” Justus concluded.
page 13 MAX continued from page 1 use skills they already have, but in a more innovative way.” Don Eichenberger (shown above), an American history teacher from Springdale High School where the MAX teaching method is already in practice, led a discussion at East Arkansas Community College in Forrest City on February 13 and explained how it had already achieved results at the northwest Arkansas school. Eichenberger explained that MAX made classrooms there more productive, involved all students in lively, dynamic discussions and increased classroom energy levels. He further explained how MAX got students excited to come to class, made class more fun and helped students and teachers cooperate better. ADWE Career and Technical Education Deputy Director John Davidson said the results at Springdale High are hard to deny. “This is a school that was experiencing increased failure and dropout rates and end-of-course scores were dropping,” Davidson said. “I think Springdale High will be the first to tell you the kids were developing a mindset of failure. Once they implemented MAX teaching, students increased reading levels three to four grade levels, attendance rates and grades went up and so did end-of-course scores.” The MAX teaching method, developed by Ohio teacher Dr. Mark A. Forget, Ph.D., uses an innovative, yet simple set of strategies that can be implemented in any classroom and help any student successfully learn. The program gets students more involved and excited about learning. It reduces a teacher’s workload, allowing them to devote more personal time to students. It maximizes the effectiveness of teachers and helps students learn more effectively. The program improves literacy skills among students. It helps students, especially limited English learners, be more successful academically. It also improves student performance on end-ofcourse exams. The method further helps kids become better thinkers by moving away from rote learning and into deeper, more complex learning. “Arkansas students must have advanced knowledge to succeed in the high-tech, high-skill global economy of the 21 st century,” said ADWE Director William L. “Bill” Walker, Jr. “As the information they’ll need to learn becomes more complex, the teaching methods we use must become more effective. Not only is MAX teaching effective, but it makes learning fun and easy.” The three regional MAX training seminars held in Forrest City, Little Rock and Texarkana, LaTrenda Jackson, Public School Program Advisor for DWE’s Career and Technical Education division, speaks at Metropolitan Career-Technical Center in Little Rock were a direct result of Director Walker’s desire to conduct this MAX training in all four congressional districts following the initial seminar held in Springdale in November 2007. “We have the potential to do so much more to prepare our students, the next generation,” Walker said then. “We need to always raise the bar in how we prepare and educate our students to ensure we raise student literacy skills and literacy rates around the state.” The Department of Workforce Education’s MAX Training Team made up of staff members Davidson, Duckworth, Barbara Lensing, Marna Farris, Karen Chisholm, LaTrenda Jackson and Marylene Tate. Davidson said no more sessions are currently planned, but he expects many of the schools represented at these sessions to write in for the MAX Principal’s Academy during the spring session of Perkin’s grant applications.
Page 1 and 2: A publication of Arkansas Departmen
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Feb-Mar08counselor - Arkansas Department of Career Education ...

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