DMC Volunteers Take Over, Teach Junior Achievement Principles at West Oso ISD’s JFK Elementary School as Part of “JA in a Day”
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April
2024
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22:30 PM
Europe/Amsterdam
Junior Achievement initiative provides volunteers unique opportunity to teach evidence-based curriculum “in a day” to inspire youth to plan and pursue successful future
Article by Melinda Eddleman
For 15 youngsters in kindergarten teacher Flor Elizondo’s class, learning life’s lessons about “needs” and “wants” was a major part of their curriculum on Wednesday, April 17. The lesson plan was taught by Del Mar College (DMC) volunteers as part of the Junior Achievement (JA) of the Coastal Bend’s “JA in a Day” at the West Oso Independent School District’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) Elementary School.
West Oso ISD Kindergarten Class_JFK Elementary School_JA in a Day_April 14 2024.jpg
Del Mar College (DMC) volunteers dedicated their time on April 17, 2024, as part of the Junior Achievement of the Coastal Bend’s “JA in a Day” teaching experience at the West Oso Independent School District John F. Kennedy Elementary School. Standing behind the group of kindergarteners wearing their paper Viking hats and taught by West Oso ISD teacher Flor Elizondo (right) are DMC volunteers Cynthia Soliz (left), Health Sciences Advisor, and Dr. Jennifer Sramek, the College’s Dean of Business, Entrepreneurship and Health Sciences. (Credit: DMC College Relations)
Teaching Through a Story_JA in a Day_West Oso ISD_April 17 2024.jpg
Dr. Sramek and fellow College employee Cynthia Soliz, Health Sciences Advisor, served as the two teaching volunteers in Elizondo’s kindergarten class. All “JA in a Day” volunteers received training and materials to cover lessons tailored to their assigned grade levels, which included:
• Kindergartners: JA Ourselves uses storybook characters in read-aloud and hands-on activities to introduce the role people play in an economy. Through engaging, volunteer-led activities, young students learn about individual choices, money, the importance of saving and giving, along with the value of work.
• Frist Graders: JA Our Families (first grade) explains how family members’ jobs and businesses contribute to the well-being of the family and the community. The program introduces the concept of needs and wants and explores the ways families plan for and acquire goods and services. Students analyze their own skills to determine ways they can support their families.
DMC _Cynthia Soliz and Jennifer Sramek_Kindergarten Class_JA in a Day_West Oso ISD_April 17 2024
Junior Achievement USA’s proven lesson plans align with national and state educational standards and are delivered by educational partners and local community volunteers to millions of students across the country. The organization’s website notes that “research shows that JA Alumni are more likely to have a college degree, feel confident managing money, have career success and have started a business as an adult.”
“These JA volunteers dedicated their time to introduce important topics such as financial literacy, entrepreneurship and career-readiness to help students better understand business and economics,” said Ezra Moreno, JA of the Coastal Bend Program Manager, of volunteers’ efforts today. “It is not every day that Junior Achievement is able to reach every K-5 student in a district;. However, today’s volunteer day marked our reaching goal of teaching Junior Achievement curriculum to all 44 elementary classrooms throughout West Oso ISD.”
DMC volunteers taught grade-focused curriculum last fall to youth attending both JFK and West Oso Elementary Schools, which included kindergarten through fifth graders.
Del Mar College JA in a Day Volunteers_April 17 2024
On Wednesday, April 17, Del Mar College volunteers partnered with Junior Achievement (JA) of the Coastal Bend for “JA in a Day” at the West Oso Independent School District’s John F. Kennedy Elementary School. The group taught kindergarten and first grade students research-proven curricula focused on financial literacy, entrepreneurship and career and workforce readiness tailored to the youngsters’ age groups to inspire them to begin thinking about their future financial security and career pathways. (Credit: DMC College Relations)
About Del Mar College
Del Mar College empowers students to achieve their dreams. We offer quality programs, individual attention, outstanding instruction through faculty with real-world experience and affordable costs to credit and noncredit students in Corpus Christi and the South Texas Coastal Bend area. Nationally recognized while locally focused, we’re ranked in the top two percent of community colleges in the country granting associate degrees to Hispanic students (Community College Week). Del Mar College focuses on offering our students programs that match current or emerging career opportunities. Whether students are interested in the fine arts, sciences, business, occupational or technical areas, students get the education they need for the future they want at Del Mar College.
Latest DMC News
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Among his campus achievements he is a member of three student organizations, including serving as current Treasurer of DMC’s Gamma Sigma Chapter of the international college honor society Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), a member of the country’s largest leadership honor society the National Society of Leadership & Success and as current President of the Safe Space Club at DMC. He has also served on the All-Texas Academic Team. Sullivan has volunteered on and off campus, providing sound mix and technical support for both Del Mar Drama productions and at the Church of Grace, volunteering with the Corpus Christi Diversity Council and participating during National Humanitarian Day. His campus activities specifically include volunteering with Groceries to Go by providing mobile food distribution, attending regional and national PTK conferences, assisting with the College’s “Discover Del Mar” event to recruit and inform high school students as potential Vikings, participating during Adopt-A-Beach cleanup events and going beyond his roles with Del Mar Drama productions to volunteer additional assistance to support his fellow actors and classmates. Sullivan graduates next Friday, May 17, as part of Del Mar College’s Class of Spring 2024. Before Sullivan’s recognition as “the” 2024 Hall of Fame inductee, “Outstanding Student” Award recipients will be recognized for their academic achievement in their respective majors, including: Division of Communications, Fine Arts and Social Sciences • Art: Jonathan Donna, Jennavieve Elliot, Christina Gatchel, Stephen Nevares, Samantha Nieves, Nathan Olivarez, Tyler Robason and Symphony Rose • Drama: Roman Mendieta and Ethan Sullivan • History: Coleson Adams, Ysabel Hernandez, Samantha Holly, Daniel Longoria, Katty Mazeda, Anthony Padilla, Ethan Satery-Miranda, Jade Wells and Isabella West • Journalism: Aubree Curran and Marie Ponce • Psychology: Isabella Nunez, Nicholas Vara and Joshua Whitaker • Speech: Teresa Gonzales and Jasmine Vasquez Division of Sciences, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Kinesiology and Education • Computer Science, Engineering and Advanced Technology: Joe Cruz, Robert Golden, Jacob Hinojosa, Marissa Martinez and Ishmael Wallace • Geology: Olivia Ramirez • Kinesiology: Neives Guajardo, Paula Hernandez-Huitron, Joseph Kuhn, Kassandra Sandoval, Kadance Smith, Christian Williams-Rippstine and Amanda Laughlin • Mathematics: Aurora Raygoza Division of Business, Entrepreneurship and Health Sciences • Accounting: Ursula Benitez, Amber Robertson and Linda Sanchez • Business Administration: Erica Rodriguez • Cosmetology: Makinley Browning and Alejandra Mendoza • Culinary Arts: Mazzy Tagliaferro • Dental Assisting: Tylie Eamello, Azeneth Gonzalez, Alejandra Morales and Amanda Ramirez • Dental Hygiene: Jazmine Alvarado, Christina Bauer, Kimmie Burch, Efren Carmona, Brenda Cepeda, Ana Chavez, Autumn Diaz, Helen Escobar Villar, Sarai Gamez, Ariel Garcia, Melany Garza, Julissa Gay, Celeste Gonzales, Karina Guajardo, Samantha Guerra, Madison Hernandez, Claudette Lara, Lyza Leal, Trinity Lozano, Ashlyn Martinez, Jordan Mendoza, Meagan Mikes, Jacklyn Mrayyan, Cloressa Payne, Emmy Tuyet, Phuong Tran, Brianna Polk, Natalie Price, Danielle Ramirez, Jasmine Ramsey, Anissa Rodriguez, Nina Salinas, Gladys Melissa Sanchez, Samantha Soliz, Karla Soto, Jessie Southern, Daisy Tran, Tran Tran, Shana Tuibeo and Kaylie Westmoreland • Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Angela Cabuling and Brittany Fox • Echocardiography: Emerald Guerrero • Hospitality Management: Kayla Foster and Christopher Tyler Tichacek • Management: Suzette Weis • Medical Assisting: Marissa Beard, Ferrari Garcia, Ariadna Grice, King King, Lana Pena, Priscilla Posada and Jasmin Vasquez • Medical Laboratory Technology: Jennifer Argo, Alana Coapland and Emilio Pineda • Nursing: Yancey Hernandez, Zhenbang Li and Sarah Raffay • Occupational Therapy Assisting: Angelica Valdez de Taylor • Physical Therapy Assisting: Mikayla Trevino • Respiratory Therapy: April Luna, Luis Mendoza and ReNee Morris • Surgical Technology: Mia Nguyen Division of Industry and Public Service • Air Conditioning Applied Technology: Edward Shannon • Architecture: Karina Collins • Architectural Technology: Edgar Hernandez • Automotive Applied Technology: Rachel Hediger • Building Maintenance Applied Technology: Bryan Ramirez • Court Reporting: Paige Bennett • Diesel Applied Technology: Francisco Martinez • Electrician: John Flores • Environmental/Petrochemical Lab Technology: Aubrie-Anna Reigle • Industrial Machining Applied Technology: Jassem A. Alzuwayed • Industrial Machining Applied Technology–Millwright: Alfredo D. Alaniz and Daniel T. Urban • Nondestructive Testing: Alexander C. Davis • Paralegal Studies: Selena Obregon • Process Technology – Industrial Instrumentation: Russell Taylor • Process Technology: Amanda Wright • Welding Applied Technology: Liv Reis Garcia A downloadable PDF file of the 72nd Annual Recognition Ceremony Program is available in the upper right-hand corner above CONTACTS.