SCE Student Success Spotlight: Derrick Coleman, Disabled Student Programs

Instructor Julie Brown writes, “Derrick Coleman is truly an inspiration to all of us in the SCE Disabled Student Programs and Services.” Derrick came to the U.S from Costa Rica when he was 14-years-old. For the past three years he has been an enthusiastic and impressive student in every DSPS class, even becoming a class volunteer assistant. With his strong work ethic, Derrick attends school, participates in the Special Olympics, works at the Veterans Hospital in Long Beach, and is a photo editor for the Cypress College Student Magazine, “Divergence.” He was so successful in the DSPS classes that Derrick set a goal to take credit classes. He first enrolled in the SCE Learning Center to work on basic skills and then enrolled in Math 10 at Cypress College, in which he earned an “A.” Derrick will continue at Cypress College in the Fall with his future career goal of serving students with disabilities in special education. Congratulations Derrick!

Nancy McLeod Retires After 22 Years of PT Teaching Service to SCE

Nancy McLeod will retire at the end of the Spring 09 term after teaching as an adjunct faculty at SCE for 22 years.
Nancy started working with SCE in 1987 teaching in the Early Childhood Education certificate program and specifically the Child Safety and Disaster Preparedness class. She also now teaches the ECE Literature class using visual aids such as puppets, books, flannel boards and more to teach the students how to interact with children and lay the foundation for enjoying books. She recently received her Language Development Specialist Credential while still teaching State preschool.

The thing that Nancy says she will miss the most is teaching such an enthusiastic group of students. “Our ECE students are always so eager and happy to learn. It has always been a pleasure.”

Nancy is retiring to spend more time with her family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She looks forward to gardening and egg art which she has been doing for some time now. Nancy also plans to donate extra time to volunteer in her community.

Congratulations Nancy and thank you for the 22 years of hard work and dedication that you have offered to SCE and your students!

SCE Home Decorative Arts students donate handmade items to orphanages and foster homes

Last month the SCE Home Decorative Arts Fashion Show showcased clothing, quilting and needlework as unique as the students who made them. Among those students was Lillian Andre, who attends Meredith Eggan’s sewing class. Andre, who says she thoroughly enjoys sewing, has combined her talents with charity, sewing dresses for orphans in Africa. Andre heard about the orphanages through Touch Global years back. When Andre heard that there were over 700 children in the African orphanages in need of supplies, she jumped at the opportunity. It took Andre six months to make 305 dresses which she just sent to Africa last month. She displayed some of her work at the Home Decorative Art Show. “The kids need clothing and I’m not looking for anything for myself. I just enjoy doing it, especially knowing that it helps people” said Andre. She pays for fabric and supplies herself and sometimes receives donations.

Faculty member Lianna Silvers and her students also have kind hearts, making quilts annually to donate to Canyon Acres. Canyon Acres is a Southern California-based welfare agency offering foster care adoption along with several other services to abused, neglected and emotionally troubled children. The first quilt donated several years ago garnered $4000 for the agency in their fundraiser auction! Students were so inspired they continued to make quilts and bags for each child at Canyon Acres.