ACE MV Web Master, Author at ACE MV Martha's Vineyard Adult & Community Education

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So far ACE MV Web Master has created 18 blog entries.

Free Community College in MA: MassEducate

ACE MV Web Master2024-08-13T12:20:02-04:00August 13th, 2024|News|

Here at ACE we are excited to hear the news that beginning in the fall of 2024, community college is now free for Massachusetts state residents without a previous bachelor’s degree! MassEducate builds off of MassReconnect, a program which made community college free for residents over the age of 25 last year–increasing access to affordable education statewide. That’s right, you heard it: no tuition, no fees. An allowance for supplies and books is also available for certain students.

From The Boston Globe: ‘It feels so relieving.’ Students celebrate free community college program by Hilary Burns

The program, MassEducate, expands an initiative launched last year to make community college free for students 25 and older, which drove enrollment growth at the public, two-year schools for the first time in several years. Massachusetts’ 15 community colleges serve about 90,000 students, the majority of whom work while pursuing their degrees.

MassEducate covers tuition and fees, which cost an average of about $7,000, as well as books for students under a certain income threshold. Anyone without a bachelor’s degree and who has lived in Massachusetts for at least a year is eligible. The program is funded with revenue from the state’s tax on high earners, which charges a surtax of 4 percent on income over $1 million.

Community colleges across the state are preparing for double-digit enrollment growth this year, said Nate Mackinnon, executive director of the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges.

“It’s a momentous occasion for the community colleges, and for the state as a whole,” Mackinnon said. “We’ve moved the top of the ceiling up on free education from stopping at 12th grade.”

State leaders said free community college will be a boon to employers, especially in industries facing workforce shortages, such as health care. College presidents and advocates, meanwhile, hope the program will prompt much-needed improvements to campus infrastructure and boost the number of students transferring to four-year schools.

To learn more on how to access MassEducate support, visit the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges website.

July Newsletter: A preview of fall programming

ACE MV Web Master2024-08-09T10:31:09-04:00August 9th, 2024|Blog, News, Newsletter|

Greetings!

The busiest season of the year is upon us and Islanders and visitors alike are feeling the heat—beach days, melting ice cream cones, lively restaurants, bustling streets, and all the other good stuff! Here at ACE we have been busy planning ahead for fall offerings and other exciting programs to come, while also savoring the successes of our current programs. Our CAMP! summer internship pilot program is now underway with interns placed across 12 different Island employers (stay tuned for a separate newsletter highlighting this program). Read on to learn more about what we have to look forward to in the fall and beyond!

Stay cool out there, friends!

-The ACE MV Team

ACE MV will be continuing cohorts this fall in Early Childhood Education, Wellness Workforce, Small Business and Language Access. For more information about any of these program, please email Garrett.

There are open spots for students interested in taking ACC 101: Principles of Accounting this fall, a 4-credit course focusing on the basic structure of financial record keeping, including the preparation of financial statements for service and merchandizing firms. Other topics covered include deferrals and accruals, cash reconciliation, receivables and payables, payroll accounting, internal control and accounting ethics.

Weekly work load: Three lecture hours and one computer laboratory hour per week.

This class is FREE and students will need to enroll with Bristol Community College.

Learn more about the contents of the class here.

If you would like to sign up for this class, please reach out to Garrett.

This 8 week course will prepare you for the state certification exam to become a CNA, Certified Nursing Assistant. This training covers basic nursing skills, personal care skills, and recognition for mental health and social service needs, basic restorative services and residential rights. Employment opportunities exist at hospitals, nursing homes, home health care agencies, domiciliary care and residential care facilities.

Program Structure

-Weekly lectures on Zoom | Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 4:30 – 9:00 PM

-A one week in-person laboratory

-Two week clinical rotation

Classes begin on September 23rd and end on November 22nd, 2024.

This course is free to all students (including tuition, books/materials, and travel to lab and clinical rotations. Space is extremely limited. Please reach out to Laura if you are interested in enrolling!

ACE MV is proud to partner with the Rural Public Health Workforce Training Network and Cape and Islands Area Health Education Center at Cape Cod Community College to make this 60-hour certification in Community Health Work available to Vineyard residents!

Community Health Workers (CHWs) are trusted, frontline workers that play a crucial role in supporting the health and wellbeing of people in their communities. No special clinical education or training is needed to become a CHW. Community health workers have strong ties to individuals and families in their communities. Their role allows them to bridge clients to health and social services and increase access to services that their clients need. Through a variety of roles, CHWs bridge community members to better health and quality of life.

More details coming soon!

Let us know if you are interested in learning more about this training!

If you are a seasoned interpreter looking to expand your skill set, ACE MV is partnering with Embracing Culture to offer two certificate-bearing trainings: Advanced Note-Taking Skills for Interpreters, and Interpreting in Behavioral Health.

Let us know if you are interested in learning more about this training!

In Person Info Session: September 12th | 6 PM

Virtual Info Sessions: September 26 + October 10

Email us here to learn more about this program.

Don’t miss out on program announcements and information! Follow us on social media to stay up to date with the latest program news:

June Newsletter: Year-End Wrap-up

ACE MV Web Master2024-06-26T16:43:04-04:00June 26th, 2024|Blog, News, Newsletter|

Spring Update (750 x 100 px) (750 x 160 px)

Greetings!

As we roll into the high-season, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on a truly incredible year of off-season programming at ACE MV. Since September, we’ve supported over 200 students through Career Exploration cohort-learning programs, including community college coursework and workforce training, as well as School for Offseason Survival (SOS) workshops and professional development offerings. We introduced our very first Brazilian Portuguese Teacher Training program, and served the Island business community with customized classes including human-relations and leadership support, financial literacy and language classes.

At the beginning of the month we were thrilled to be able to celebrate our students with an end-of-the-year party at Nomans. This was an opportunity to be together as a community of learners, as well as hear from and celebrate our wonderful program coordinators and facilitators. Read on to learn more about what each cohort has accomplished this year.

We feel lucky to work with such a wonderful team of facilitators and to serve our dedicated community of learners on MV. We’re already excited about new programs and classes we’ll be launching this fall, but until then — we’ll see you at the beach!

Alex Bullen Coutts
Executive Director, ACE MV

Spring Update (750 x 100 px) (750 x 160 px) (2)

Spring Update (750 x 100 px) (750 x 160 px) (1)

Small Business and Entrepreneurship Certificate Program

From Program Coordinator Garrett Burt:

Launching in January of this year, our Small Business and Entrepreneurial Management Cohort, presented in partnership with Bristol Community College, successfully completed its inaugural semester in May. Our students excelled in classes that included Quickbooks, Personal Finance, and Principles of Management. Future semesters will include classes on Marketing, Sales, and Accounting, to name just a few. We look forward to our students’ continued achievements in this program and beyond!

Career Explorations: Language Access

From Program Facilitator Izadora Santos:

In my role as a program facilitator of The Art of Medical Interpretation, Advanced Note-Taking, and Interpreting In Mental Health classes, guiding our students through this journey has been a privilege. One of the highlights was our in-person study night, which provided an opportunity for in-depth learning and fostered a sense of community and friendship among all of us.

We organized a Zoom class focused on post-course opportunities, providing valuable insights into potential career paths and further education. This session was designed to help students confidently navigate their next steps, armed with the skills and knowledge they acquired during the program. The combination of specialized training, community-building activities, and continuous support has prepared our participants to excel in their future endeavors, particularly as medical health interpreters, mental health interpreters, and specialists in note-taking.

See more of Izadora’s reflections here.

Career Explorations: Wellness Workforce

From Program Facilitator Laura Edelman:

Since January, I’ve had the pleasure to work with participants in this program. I was inspired by the motivation, curiosity and engagement of the program participants. I want to give a big shout out and congratulations to the Wellness Workforce students who successfully completed CNA training in partnership with Upper Cape Tech in Bourne! These hard-working adult learners attended Zoom classes several nights a week and traveled off island for clinical hours, many while also working full-time and taking care of family members.

I am also grateful to the nurses, doctors, lab technicians, hospital administrative staff, counselors and other healthcare professionals who came to our cohort meetings and spoke about their professional experiences. Thank you for generously sharing your knowledge while offering support and encouragement to the students.

Photo by Eunki Seonwoo for MV Times. Left to right: MVCS early childhood program director, student Panecia Daniels and Oliver Osnoss, Cape Cod Community College liaison Deborah Maher, students Sayra Guimaraes, Avery Miner, and Sabrina Scott, and MVCS family childcare network coordinator Joanne Lambert.

Career Explorations: Early Childhood Education (English)

From Program Facilitator Deb Maher:

This program has grown from 10 members in 2022, to 25 active students taking courses and working towards differing individual goals. One of the most rewarding aspects of our ECE Cohort is the rich diversity of our students in terms of ages/stages, backgrounds, experiences, interests, needs, and goals. That helps make the program an enriching learning experience for all of us.

This collaborative project has involved working together with ACE MV, a grant from West Chop Foundation, MV Community Services Early Childhood Programs, and 4Cs, to help grow and develop our needed workforce to help educate and support our children and families here on the Vineyard. We are grateful for the many contributions of all our collaborative colleagues.

See more of Deb’s reflections here.

Career Explorations: Early Childhood Education (Portuguese)

From Program Facilitator Sayra Guimaraes:

As a Portuguese facilitator, I’ve had an amazing experience bridging conversations between colleges, professors, and students. My role involved facilitating effective communication in Portuguese, ensuring clarity and understanding among all parties. Whether it was translating academic materials, aiding in discussions, or clarifying complex concepts, I played a crucial part in fostering a productive educational environment.

This experience has been incredibly rewarding, as I’ve witnessed firsthand the positive impact of clear communication on academic success and collaboration. It has also sharpened my language skills and deepened my appreciation for the importance of effective communication in educational settings. I really appreciate ACE MV for giving me the opportunity to be part of this amazing program and be able to connect and make new friends for life.

Reflections from our Career Explorations: Language Access Facilitator, Izadora Santos

ACE MV Web Master2024-06-18T14:34:52-04:00June 18th, 2024|Blog, Classes & Programs, Events|

In my role as a program facilitator of the Art of Medical Interpretation, Advanced Note-Taking, and Interpreting in Mental Health classes, guiding our students through this process journey has been a privilege. I had the pleasure of personally meeting all of them when distributing the course materials, which allowed us to establish a connection from the start. One of the highlights was our study night, which included a wonderful dinner. This event provided an opportunity for in-depth learning and fostered a sense of community and friendship among them. The informal setting encouraged open discussions and strengthened the bonds between students and me.

To maintain continuous communication, we set up a WhatsApp group. This platform enabled us to stay connected daily, share important updates, and support each other throughout the program. The group was vital for fostering a collaborative learning environment and ensuring everyone felt engaged and supported. Additionally, we organized a Zoom class focused on post-course opportunities, providing valuable insights into potential career paths and further education. This session was designed to help students confidently navigate their next steps, armed with the skills and knowledge they acquired during the program. The combination of specialized training, community-building activities, and continuous support has prepared our participants to excel in their future endeavors, particularly as medical health interpreters, mental health interpreters, and specialists in note-taking.

Reflections from our ECE Facilitator, Deb Maher

ACE MV Web Master2024-06-18T14:07:57-04:00June 18th, 2024|Blog, Classes & Programs, Events|

We are pleased to report on the progress and achievements of our ACE MV Early Childhood Education Cohort, which began in September 2022 with 10 members and has grown to include more than 25 currently active students taking courses and working towards differing individual goals. We have also helped build and develop a thriving Early Childhood Education Community network linking our emerging new ECE teachers and other support personal with ECE professionals within our Island Community. One of the most rewarding aspects of our ECE Cohort is the rich diversity of our students in terms of ages/stages, backgrounds, experiences, interests, needs, and goals. That helps make the program an enriching learning experience for all of us.
This exciting and successful collaborative project has involved working together with ACE MV, a grant from West Chop Foundation, MV Community Services Early Childhood Programs, and Cape Cod Community College to help grow and develop our needed workforce to help educate and support our children and families here on the Vineyard. We are very grateful for the many contributions of all our collaborative colleagues.

At the end of this school year and our second year of this project, we are very proud of all our ECE Cohort members, and want to highlight some important milestone accomplishments:

Olivia MacPherson, graduating senior at MVRHS this year, earned her Cape Cod Community College (4Cs) ECE Certificate Preschool during the past three years. Olivia took Dual Enrollment courses, for a total of 24 credits and became an active member of our ACE MV ECE Cohort, while being very busy and successful with high school classes and groups such as the school newspaper and creating an archery club for interested schoolmates. Additionally, Olivia has completed all the requirements to become Licensed as an ECE teacher, except for reaching her 21st birthday! She proudly marched in the 4Cs Commencement on MAY 23, and she will receive her official college Certificate after her Graduation from MVRHS next week on JUNE 9. She’ll be continuing her education toward her goal of becoming an ECE teacher at Bridgewater State this fall! Congratulations to our very motivated, hard working, and accomplished Olivia!
La-Moi James joined our Cohort in the fall of 2022, and has taken advantage of every course and opportunity to work toward her 4Cs Certificate Infant and Toddlers, which she completed this year and was proud to march in our 4Cs Commencement on MAY 23 to accept that Certificate in person. As we learned in getting to know La-Moi, as a member of our ECE Cohort, she is another motivated and hard working student, who began her journey in her birthplace, Jamaica, and came to the Vineyard after beginning medical studies in Ukraine. In addition to earning her ECE Certificate Infants and Toddlers these past two years, La-Moi is curently enrolling in health care courses and with the help and support of the ACE MV Healthcare Cohort, she will continue to pursue her goal to work toward being a pediatric doctor. We are proud of La-Moi, and her growth and development as a successful adult learner in our Vineyard community for now, and believe she may travel the globe to contribute to the lives of children and families.
Claudia Wilson was working in the food service department at MVRHS when she began pursuing her interest in ECE by joining our Cohort and taking 4Cs ECE courses in the fall of 2022. Her successes as a student and strengths as an emerging ECE teacher were recognized by the MV Public Schools when she was hired this March as an ESP assistant in the Project Headway classroom at Oak Bluffs School. We also want to acknowledge and celebrate the special contributions of two of our ECE Cohort members who have helped to deliver two new babes to our Vineyard Community of children and families.
Maria Hulka brought her baby boy, Oliver, into our world in April 2024, and Sabrina Scott brought her baby girl, Keziah Lovette, into the world on May 9, 2024. Both Maria and Sabrina are hoping to continue to work towards more ECE courses, as their time and energy allow, as new Moms! We welcome our new ECE learners!

Another ACE MV ECE initiative to meet the needs of our growing Vineyard ECE Cohort brought 16 students from our Brazillian Portuguese community this past October to take ECE courses with Urban College of Boston. Our ACE MV ECE facilitator for that Brazillian Portugues Cohort, Sayra Guimaraes, started out as a member of our ECE Cohort in September 2022, and is now continuing to pursue her AS Degree in Psychology from 4Cs, which she expects to complete in the fall semester 2024. Sayra plans to continue her education well beyond that goal.

On behalf of our collaborative ACE MV ECE team,

Heather Quinn, Director of ECE Programs at MV Community Services
Joanne Lambert, Family Child Care Network Coordinator, MVCS Family Center
Deb Maher, ACE MV ECE facilitator and MV Outreach Coordinator for Cape Cod Community College (4Cs)

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