Pre-College/Youth Programs

Academia Latina

Courses

These are the classes for Academia Latina 2011.

CREATIVE WRITING/ LITERATURE

Writing: Latino Style—My Life Story…So Far

Everybody has a story. Come discover who you are and pass on your valuable life lessons as you write your life story, past, present and future. This class will set you free to write from your heart and capture your uniqueness.  Instructor: Sra. Lynn LaTourrette worked at Talent Middle School as a Language Arts, Reading and Social Studies teacher with Latino students for over 10 years. She has a Master’s in Education and a Black Belt in Karate. She is currently working on her PHD in Education. She is a returning Academia Latina instructor.

Poetry: Latin Pride—Writing from Your Heart

Come learn how to say it in a poem. Read and listen to the work of Latino poets and hear how they express their lives through their poetry. Write your own poems to express your life, using a variety of poetic forms. Keep your writing skills tuned up and have a good time doing it!  Instructor: Sra. Lynn LaTourrette worked at Talent Middle School as a Language Arts, Reading and Social Studies teacher with Latino students for over 10 years. She has a Master’s in Education and a Black Belt in Karate. She is currently working on her PHD in Education. She is a returning Academia Latina instructor.

HUMANITIES/ HISTORY

Hispanic Heritage

Have you ever heard of a cenote or a quetzal?  Where did Mexico get its name?  How were 300 Spaniards able to conquer an empire as powerful as the Aztecs?  These and many more questions can be answered as you explore your Hispanic Culture & Heritage, through group and class discussion and research.  Instructor: Jorge Padilla works as the ELL/ELD Elementary Coordinator for Three Rivers School District in Grants Pass.  He has worked with Latino students since moving to Oregon fromTucson, AZ.  He is passionate about his heritage and is willing to share it.  He is a returning Academia Latina instructor.

Chicano History

Come learn all about Latino Heroes, past & present. Be inspired by strong Hispanic leaders who made positive changes and a difference in our society. Learn about Xicotencatl Axayacatl, Rigoberta Menchu Tum, Las Madres de la Plaza de Mayo and others. Instructor: Dr. Alma Rosa Alvarez is a “Chicana” from Southern California. She is the Chicano History instructor for Academia Latina. She is also an Associate Professor of English and Writing at Southern Oregon University where she teaches US Multicultural Literature and Chicano History. She is a returning Academia Latina instructor.

One of the Eight

Will you be one of the eight successful ones who make it? The data shows that only 8 out of 10 Latino students who start high school get some kind of degree. Learn about the economic and social opportunities an educated person has over a school dropout and how education alters the personal and professional choices they make. Instructor: Jorge Padilla works as the ELL/ELD Elementary Coordinator for Three Rivers School District in Grants Pass.  He has worked with Latino students since moving to Oregon fromTucson, AZ.  He is passionate about his heritage and is willing to share it.  He is a returning Academia Latina instructor.

Latino, Inc.

Use your imagination to design, create and sell a product or invention in this dynamic class. You will create a print and video campaign to market your idea as you explore how to create a revolutionary product.  Instructor: Jorge Padilla works as the ELL/ELD Elementary Coordinator for Three Rivers School District in Grants Pass.  He has worked with Latino students since moving to Oregon fromTucson, AZ.  He is passionate about his heritage and is willing to share it.  He is a returning Academia Latina instructor.

MATH/SCIENCE

Math: Geometry/Algebra

Learn how to manipulate mathematical expressions in all sorts of useful ways.  You’ll find out what it takes to prepare and write up Geometry and Algebra math word problems.  Get ready mathematically for college. Instructor: Sra. Julie Garcia worked at Phoenix High School as the ELL/ELD teacher.  She has worked for and with Latino Youth of the Rogue Valley for over 20 years. She holds two Bachelor degrees and a Master’s from SOU. She is a returning Academia Instructor.

All About Me   Girls Only!

Ladies! Come and enjoy a frank and open discussion of the issues teenage girls face in today’s environment including self-esteem, peer pressure, and body image.  Learn how to make safe, smart and healthy choices.  Instructor: Sra. Christie Sanders is currently employed with the Phoenix-Talent School District and has subbed in classes with a large Latino population. She saw a “need” and took action. She is looking forward working with motivated young ladies in a culturally respectful way.  She will be teaching them how to make safe, smart and healthy choices. She is a first year Academia Latina instructor.

Nursing

Experience the rewards and challenges of nursing while you participate in various hands-on activities with simulations based on real patient care experiences. You are bound to come away with a better understanding of the skills needed to be a nurse. Instructors: Dr. Stephanie Sideras and a team of Oregon Health Science University  Nursing Faculty and Staff have taught the Nursing class at Academia Latina for five years.

Just to Bug You!

This is your chance to be introduced to the diversity of insects and to get up close and personal with all the creepy crawlies! You will take an engaging look at insects—from observing and handling insects, to exploring their world through “bug goggles,” to building robotic insects. You will even get some practice as amateur forensic entomologists! Instructor: Sra Heather Ransom has taught middle school Science for the past 18 years. She has been awarded numerous grants to coordinate student attendance at Science field trips around the state and country. She currently teaches at South Middle School in Grants Pass.  Heather is a second year instructor.

Human Genetics: More than Just a Face

Do you look like your mom, dad or someone else?  Do you know why?  Come learn about human genetics and why you look the way you do. You’ll explore why some people look like their parents while others don’t. You will engage in hands-on genetic activities to find out how traits are passed from one generation to the next.
Instructor: Sra Heather Ransom has taught middle school Science for the past 18 years. She has been awarded numerous grants to coordinate student attendance at Science field trips around the state and country. She currently teaches at South Middle School in Grants Pass.  Heather is a second year instructor.

Forensic Detectives

Use your intuitive and hard science skills as you conduct forensic tests on the evidence found at a mock crime scene. You will learn crime scene analysis and study physical evidence for clues.  You’ll work with fingerprints, hair, fibers and insect impressions. Crack the case as you investigate chromatography, examine blood samples and test for DNA to piece together what really happened at the scene of the crime scene evidence. Instructor: Sra Heather Ransom has taught middle school Science for the past 18 years. She has been awarded numerous grants to coordinate student attendance at Science field trips around the state and country. She currently teaches at South Middle School in Grants Pass.  Heather is a second year instructor.

An Appetite for Science

Take a closer look at the products in our grocery stores and find out who develops all that “stuff.” You will learn how food scientists develop your favorite beverages and even the foods for NASA. Have fun as you develop your own candy products and beverages. Then learn about the various components of food—fats, carbohydrates and proteins as you participate in exciting lab exercises to demonstrate their presence in foods and beverages. Instructor: Sra Heather Ransom has taught middle school Science for the past 18 years. She has been awarded numerous grants to coordinate student attendance at Science field trips around the state and country. She currently teaches at South Middle School in Grants Pass.  Heather is a second year instructor.

 MUSIC/DANCE/PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Ballet Folklorico

Honor your ancestors as you explore the many different regions of Mexico through dance and music. Learn folk dances of regions at the same time you learn about your rich heritage and culture. Everyone is a dancer and no experience is necessary for this class. Instructor: Teresa Esqueda

Salsa Anyone?

Get moving and grab a partner as you salsa across the floor to the music. You will learn techniques for the proper footwork, hip movement and arm styling and have fun learning about the origin of this exciting dance. Instructor: Jonathan Chavez Baez is currently an Admissions Counselor at SOU for Minority Outreach. He graduated from SOU, majoring in Communications and is currently working on his MA at Portland State.

Futbol 101

Get outside and burn some energy as you learn the basic skills and drills, techniques and tactics of the game of futbol. World Cup, here we come! Instructor: Armando Lopez was the Associate Director of Admissions at SOU, where he worked with thousands of high school students. He currently works in his family business D L Reforestation. He enjoys trail running, futbol, dancing, travel and all kinds of music.

VIDEO / PHOTOGRAPHY

Videolandia: Academia through our Eyes

Learn many filmmaking skills and techniques while using the latest and greatest technologies in digital photography and video. Instructor: Sr. Robert Arellano is new to the Rogue Valley and SOU.  He comes to us by way of Taos, New Mexico.  Known as “Bobby,” he works in the Emerging Media and Digital Arts Department at SOU.  He is looking forward to sharing his experiences with Latino youth attending Academia Latina.

Take a Shot: Digital Photography

Learn how to take control of the camera! This hands-on class will introduce you to the world of photography as you explore aperture, shutter speed and ISO. You’ll learn how to compose your shots and then enhance your pictures using different computer programs. Instructor: Ezra Marcos currently teaches Photography at Phoenix High School.  He has worked with youth for seven years here and in Florida. He looks forward to sharing his experiences and encouraging Latino youth to try new things.