ACADEMIA LATINA

Creative Writing/Literature

Creative Writing: Cage Freee Poetry: Explore the many ways you can express yourself through art and poetry using your own life experience 
and your surroundings as your inspiration. You’ll discover that poetry takes many forms and that it does not have to rhyme! Instructor: Marcel D’Haem has taught for a variety of schools in Oregon since 2003. He currently teaches at Talent Middle School, is an avid outdoorsman and backpacker. He tries to play the ukulele.

Humanities/History

U.S. History through a Latino Lens: George Washington and Paul Revere are names that most people recognize from American history. Do the names Francisco de Miranda or Bernardo de Galavez mean anything to you? This exciting class will help you learn the roles of these and countless other Hispanics who helped to shape our history and also the stories of those who continue to have important roles and influence in the history of the United States of America. Instructor: Jorge Padilla is the Coordinator of the English Language Learner Program at Grants Pass School District #7 and is a returning Academia Latina instructor. 

French Please: Become conversant in French by focusing on two fundamental language skills: listening, and speaking. Through daily practice, class activities, interactive discussion, and listening exercises, students will quickly gain confidence and increasing facility with their abilities to speak and understand both spoken and written French. Instructor: Betty Lopez is a recent graduate for Williams College where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, French Language & Literature. She is a former Senior Counselor and this is her first year as an instructor.

Math/Science

Geometry: What’s Your Angle?: Students will experience the examination of angles and their place in the real world. We will be exploring mathematical principles of angles and how to apply them.  There will be drawing, construction, deduction, and of course calculation. Instructor: Dan Akita has ten years of experience teaching in both public and private schools but in both I have always loved math and science.  I am looking forward to helping you see the wonder of science and the logic of math.

The World of Bubble-Ology (Science/Chemistry): Students will combine intense enjoyment with important concepts in chemistry and physics through imaginative experiments with soap bubbles. Students devise an ideal bubble-blowing instrument; test dishwashing brands to see which makes the biggest bubbles; determine the optimum amount of glycerin needed for the biggest bubbles; employ the Bernoulli principle to keep bubbles aloft; use color patterns to predict when a bubble will pop; and create bubbles that last for days. In the process, they learn about light and color, aerodynamics, chemical composition, surface tension, and even technology. Instructor: Charlie Bauer is the Migrant Education, ELL and Indian Education Coordinator for the Southern Oregon Education Service District. He has taught every grade level from kindergarten to high school. He has also lived in Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador and California. 

Nursing Rocks!: 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. Trish Kohn and a team of OHSU Ashland Nursing Faculty and Staff teach the nursing class at Academia Latina each year. 

Nursing 2.0: This advance course will offer a variety of real-life experiences that included the importance of CPR, hands-on experience with new-born simulations and listen to a panel of nurses. You will also learn the next steps to volunteer. Instructor: Dr. Trish Kohn and a team of OHSU Ashland Nursing Faculty and Staff teach the nursing class at Academia Latina each year.

Disasters: Are U Ready?: Do you know what to do after a flood? During a fire? Or after an earthquake? Come learn how to prepare and survive after a natural disaster.  This will be project-based class. Instructors: Dan Akita has ten years of experience teaching in both public and private schools but in both I have always loved math and science. I am looking forward to helping you see the wonder of science and the logic of math. Marcel D’Haem has taught for a variety of schools in Oregon since 2003. He currently teaches at Talent Middle School, is an avid outdoorsman and backpacker. He tries to play the ukulele.

Health & Wellness

Wat’z up Sista?: This is your chance to ask all of those questions you would like to ask but haven’t dared to ask. In this neutral, confidential environment, you will enjoy a frank and open discussion about the issues teenage girls face in today’s world including self-esteem, peer pressure, and body image.  Instructor: Nancy McKinnis (Castillo) is a graduate of SOU and holds a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. She is currently the Health Educator for Cuidate, a program from Jackson County Public Health. Nancy has lived in the Rogue Valley for 25 years. 

Wat'z up Bro?: Dude! What were you thinking? Let’s talk about the facts regarding all of the topics you think you have the answers to in a neutral, confidential environment.  Come prepared for frank discussions, laughs and lots of new factual information. Instructor: Nancy McKinnis (Castillo) is a graduate of SOU and holds a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. She is currently the Health Educator for Cuidate, a program from Jackson County Public Health. Nancy has lived in the Rogue Valley for 25 years.

Business/Marketing

Shark Tank Academia Latina Style!: If the word Successful appeared in front of these titles, Business owner, Inventor, Entrepreneur… which one would interest you? If you have dreams of owning a business, engineering your own inventions or building a company from conception to production this is the class for you! Discover the questions you need to ask, how to find the right employees and how to think about the many aspects of being successful in business. During your last class, you will pitch your ideas to real-life successful business owners. Instructor: Sr. Jorge Padilla is the Coordinator of the English Language Learner Program at Grants Pass School District #7 and is a returning Academia Latina instructor.

College Enrollment

Degree Attainment

State of Oregon	Academia Latina