This very large tree located on Seaward in Ventura fell during the recent huge winds.

Dean of Distance Education Gwendolyn Lewis Huddleston and Chancellor Bernard Luskin hosts summit

Ventura College recently hosted its first district-wide Distance Education Summit on campus at the new Applied Science Center to discuss the future of Distance Education throughout the district and statewide.  Chancellor Bernard Luskin and Ventura College President Greg Gillespie joined Dean of Distance Education Gwendolyn Lewis Huddleston, Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura College administrators and faculty from across Ventura County in a discussion on the future of Distance Education.

“Ventura College is pleased to be one of eight pilot colleges participating in the statewide California Community Colleges Online Education Initiative (OEI), a collaboration to increase student access to high-quality online courses to ensure that more students are able to complete their educational goals,” explained Board Chair Larry Kennedy.  Through a common course management system, students will be able to take classes at any of the colleges in the exchange using a system of reciprocity.

Distance Education has come a long way from the days of correspondence classes.  Luskin, who supports this effort wholeheartedly, has been a pioneer in distance education throughout his career.

“Moving distance education into the mainstream of our offerings increases access and opportunity for students in our county,” said Luskin.  “Having Ventura College as one of the eight pilot colleges leading the statewide initiative is a testament to the leadership of Dean Huddleston and her colleagues.”

Robert Beilin, Ph.D., MFT. Is new board member at Ventura College Foundation.

Ventura College Foundation’s Executive Director Norbert Tan has announced the addition of new board member, Robert Beilin, Ph.D., MFT. A licensed marital and family therapist, Dr. Beilin has been providing mediation, psychotherapy, coaching and consultation in Ventura County for forty years and has been a faculty member at California Lutheran University’s Graduate School of Psychology since 2008.

“Bob has a deep appreciation for the work VCF does on behalf of the college and its students, and has personally founded two scholarships at Ventura College: one in honor of his daughter, and the other, a Phoenix Scholarship, in honor of his mother,” said John Woolley, chairman of the Ventura College Foundation board of directors.

In 2003, Dr. Beilin’s 22-year-old daughter had just completed her 2-year degree and was planning to continue through the Nursing program at Ventura College when her life was taken from her by a drunk driver. As part of her legacy, Dr. Beilin and his wife established a $25,000 Nursing scholarship in her memory which was then matched with another $25,000 from the VCF board. Now every year, he and his wife honor the memory of their daughter by awarding scholarships to one, and sometimes two, hard-working students pursing Ventura College’s Nursing program

Two years ago, Dr. Beilin established a Phoenix scholarship in memory of his mother, who was never able to finish school because she didn’t have the financial help she needed to attend college while working full time to provide for her family. The Phoenix scholarships are awarded to “re-entry” students, who return to school to learn new skills in order to be competitive in the marketplace or who are returning to school after an extended break.

Established in 1983, the Ventura College Foundation provides financial support to the students and the programs of Ventura College to facilitate student success and grow the impact and legacy of Ventura College as a vital community asset.

Are you interested in providing a service for your community while learning about local government operations?  Service on the Ventura County [Civil] Grand Jury provides that opportunity.

As an all-volunteer watchdog group, the Grand Jury investigates selected complaints that have been received from the public.  After investigating a complaint, the Grand Jury issues a written report which includes facts, findings and recommendations. .

Basic requirements to qualify for service are:  you must be a citizen of the United States, 18 years of age, a resident of Ventura County for at least one year prior to being seated, and with

sufficient knowledge of English to conduct jury business.  Computer skills are highly desirable.

All eligible residents of Ventura County are encouraged to apply.  Applications are available online at the Grand Jury website www.ventura.org/grand-jury  or by calling  477-1600.

Applications are accepted through April 15, 2016.

A lady judy couldn’t wait for the Bargain Box to open so just drove in (1975 Main in Ventura)

Jean Krist receives award for excellence in education

The Ventura Commerce and Education Foundation (VCEF) recognized Jean Krist, educator at El Camino High School (ECHS) in Ventura, California, as February’s Teacher of the Month. On Feb. 23, 2016, VCEF board member, Pattie Braga, joined elected representatives and members of the business community to present Krist with a plaque commemorating the award.

Krist, who has been teaching for more than 30 years, works with ECHS students in grades 9-12, providing instruction in multiple subject areas. Beyond the classroom, she serves as chair of numerous curriculum-related committees, participates in the school site council, coordinates the school’s Geo Challenge and Knowledge Bowl academic competitions, and frequently attends student performances such as recitals, plays and concerts.

“Jean is one of those teachers you wish you could clone,” said ECHS principal, Cheryl Burns. “She is always eager to pitch in, and her efforts continually enrich the experiences of our students. She dedicates countless hours outside of class time to working with any student that needs her, and our students know that they can count on her to do everything in her power to help them succeed. She’s brought so much to this school and has introduced so many positive changes for both students and teachers, including a quiz grader that’s made all of the teachers lives easier.”

In addition to her daily work with students, Krist is also committed to ongoing professional development. She regularly attends classes and workshops on topics ranging from the Common Core to distance learning, and in 2015, she received a scholarship to participate in one of The Cullman Center Institute for Teachers’ summer seminars.

The Teacher of the Month presentation was attended by: Jean Krist, Teacher of the Month honoree; Pattie Braga, Ventura County Credit Union; Dr. Michael Babb, Ventura Unified School District superintendent; Debbie Golden, Ventura Unified School District board member; Brad Hudson, Office of Congresswoman Julia Brownley; Steve Offerman, Office of Supervisor Steve Bennett; AJ Valenzuela Jr., Office of Assemblymember Das Williams; Stephanie Caldwell, Ventura Chamber of Commerce; Stephen Joyce, Ventura Travel Professionals; Kerry Swift, massage therapist; Jim Duran, The River Community Church; Janine Dykstra, Project Understanding; Greg Bird, Gold Coast Broadcasting; Stephanie Lundquist, Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach; Cynthia Duque, Gold Coast Transit; Randy Jewell, The Ventura Downtown Lions Club.

Teacher of the Month nominees must be credentialed teachers and display certain qualities, such as outstanding commitment to students, service to school or district committees, involvement in projects on their own time and/or participation in youth-focused activities in the community. All principals and parent-teacher organizations from schools within the Ventura Unified School District are eligible to submit nominations. For more information about the Teacher of the Month program, please contact Pattie Braga, chair of the Teacher Appreciation Committee with the VCEF, at [email protected] or 805-477-4052.

ABOUT THE VENTURA COMMERCE AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION

The Ventura Commerce and Education Foundation (VCEF), under the auspices of the Ventura Chamber of Commerce, works to provide a business link to the economic, educational, cultural and environmental interests of the Ventura regional community. More information about the VCEF can be found at venturachamber.com/ventura-commerce-education-foundation.