SJRCC - SPOTLIGHT

Technician Jane Boles radiates compassion and independence >>

SJRCC dancer begins ‘magical’ career >>

SJRCC EPI program illustrates one Ponte Vedra teacher's change of art >>>

Non-traditional student, Josiah Flint, redesigns career choice >>

Dual diplomas for dual enrollment student Emily Irizarry >>

Middleburg resident Joe Sheppard proves that it is never too late for college >>

Technician Jane Boles radiates compassion and independence

At the age of 45, Jane Boles was given the opportunity to “rethink” her life. The mother of four suddenly found herself at a crossroad. “I was happy being a stay-at-home mom, but when my marriage ended, my financial situation changed,” she said. Although Jane had majored in economics some 20 years earlier, she decided it was the perfect opportunity to pursue the career she had initially desired – a career in health care. “I wanted to take care of people,” she said.

In 2005, Jane enrolled in the radiologic technology program at St. Johns River Community College, a program she considered to be a perfect match for her professionally and personally. “In a way, being a parent is a prelude to the medical profession,” she joked. However, on a more serious note, Jane added that the obstacles she endured when her daughter was diagnosed with cancer gave her a better perspective on the demands of health care workers. “It was a special calling to a profession that demands respect and empathy,” Jane said. “Thanks to my experiences and training, my patient care skills are a strength I can bring to the table.”

Jane also said that having a college close to home was the key to turning her dream of being financially independent and helping others into a reality. “As a working mom, I needed quality and convenience. St. Johns provided both,” she said. “As a mom, you have to fill in every second. There was no time in my schedule to commute.”

After completing the associate in science degree program, Jane said she felt prepared to pursue her certification and a new career as a technician at St. Augustine Imaging. “I felt prepared for the real world of radiology,” she said. “In addition to the training and experienced faculty, the College arranged excellent clinical locations.”

With a healthy family and a new degree, new career and new husband, Jane said life has settled down nicely, “I am enjoying the moment.”

SJRCC dancer begins ‘magical’ career

Chally Rowjohn is one of those rare individuals who, by the age of five, knew exactly what he wanted to do with his life and pursued it. His dream of becoming a dancer, along with a degree from Florida School of the Arts, has led him to what many artists consider to be the ultimate dream destination - Walt Disney World.

After being mesmerized by parade performers during his first visit to the Magic Kingdom, Chally said he knew he wanted a career in the entertainment business. “I knew I wanted to dance, and I wanted to dance at Disney,” he said. Fourteen years later, Chally is performing in his first professional dance show in “High School Musical 3” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Chally recently graduated from the St. Johns River Community College arts school with a degree in dance entertainment and credits his instructors for preparing him for success. From choreography to costume design, from voice lessons to the meticulous details of technical theater, Chally said his education at FloArts was well-rounded. “All of my instructors helped me make it,” he said. “FloArts brought out the best of my abilities and gave me a strong foundation. It not only prepared me for the audition process, but also matured me for the rehearsal process,” he said. “I learned to be adaptive. I feel like I’m more of an asset now because I can pick up choreography quicker, and I do realize details.” The Melbourne native was also named performing arts student of the year.

Chally said the first week of rehearsal at Disney’s studios was surreal. “When they turned the music on, it all hit,” he said. “I couldn’t believe it was actually happening. I was in the type of show I’ve always aspired to be in, and I was with all the other people there who were sharing the same dream.”

While his future plans include performing on cruise ships, national musical tours and Broadway, Chally realizes that a dancer’s career can often be short-lived and plans to also continue his education. “Knowledge is power, but the timing must be right,” he said. “I would love to come full circle with Disney and eventually be on the directing, producing and choreographing side. I love teaching and giving back to the community. It is my duty to do so.”

SJRCC EPI program illustrates one Ponte Vedra teacher's change of art

Being the oldest of five children, Katie Corrigan was often told by her family that she had what it takes to become a teacher; however, it wasn't until the 38-year-old advertising professional became a mother that she learned she could combine her art degree and her nurturing disposition into a teaching career - all with the help of the St. Johns River Community College Educator Preparation Institute.

Now well into her first year of teaching art at Palmer Catholic Academy, Corrigan said it has been a worthwhile career change. "It's meaningful and rewarding," Corrigan said. "As a teacher, my day begins with smiling faces ready to learn, and when it ends, I feel like I've made a difference."

Corrigan recently completed the EPI program designed to streamline the process for obtaining a Florida Professional Teaching Certificate and turned her bachelor's degree in studio art into a teaching career. The Jacksonville Beach resident said the program took eleven months to complete and provided a class schedule that was a good fit for her busy life. "I don't know how I would have otherwise earned my certification. I didn't want to worry about what to do about daycare," Corrigan said. "I could take the online classes at 3 a.m. if I needed to."

"The program gives you credit as a professional when you enter," Corrigan said. "Everyone taking the program and teaching the program is very professional and understands the seriousness behind it."

Corrigan said the academy's principal, Linda Earp, initially told her about the EPI program after she began teaching a fifth grade class two years ago on a temporary certification. Corrigan said she was thrilled when the position to teach art to grades kindergarten through eighth became available during the third and final year of her temporary certificate.

Earp said Corrigan's positive interaction with the students, background in art, and having her temporary certification led to her current position. Earp said Corrigan's talents go beyond her artistic abilities. "She thinks outside the box, and every one of her projects is hands-on," Earp said. "She gives every child an equal chance to fit in and express their creative talents, regardless of artistic ability. She gives everyone the chance to succeed."

SJRCC's Alternative Teacher Certification Program, which is part of the EPI program, entails completing seven courses, passing the three parts of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam and submitting the required paperwork to the Florida Department of Education. Participants will be awarded a Florida Professional Teaching Certificate upon completion of the program. No other coursework is required, and the program can be completed in less than a year.

SJRCC offers the EPI courses online or at SJRCC's Palatka, Orange Park and St. Augustine campuses. In order to participate in the EPI program, applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university and possess the disposition suitable for becoming a teacher.

SJRCC will hold an EPI informational orientation on February 13 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on the St. Augustine Campus. The session is free and open to the public. For more information, please call (386) 312-4242 or e-mail opencampus@sjrcc.edu

Non-traditional student, Josiah Flint redesigns career choice

For 14 years, Josiah Flint was content with his job as a pressman, printing various publications for a local organization. However, as trends in communication began to evolve into a cleaner, greener, electronic format, Josiah found out the hard way that technology was here to stay. At the age of 46, his career in printing became obsolete.

While he was fortunate enough to transfer into an entry-level surveying position within the same company, it became evident that without technical training, the opportunity to advance was unlikely. "At the time, I didn't know what my long-term plan was until someone in the department announced he was retiring," Josiah said. "I looked at the requirements for his job and realized I needed training."

Josiah said he began searching for the technology and training that could prepare him for a position as a computer drafting technician. He needed training in AutoCAD, and St. Johns River Community College fulfilled that need. "The College had just started the drafting program, so I enrolled," he said, now one year into the associate in science degree in architectural drafting and construction technology.

Josiah also had another need - a need many non-traditional students experience. He needed to earn an education in addition to his other responsibilities and commitments. While Josiah admits that returning to college after 26 years has been challenging, SJRCC has given him the training, the flexibility of online and evening courses and the faculty support he needed to succeed. "Without my training at SJRCC, I wouldn't have been able to move into the position of drafting technician," he said. "It's not a good feeling when you are laid off, but it's worked out well in so many ways."

While Josiah will complete his college credit certificate in drafting this summer - an intermediate step toward the degree - he doesn't plan on stopping there. "I won't make the same mistake I made when I was younger," he said. "I want to continue my education and work toward my bachelor's degree in business."

Dual diplomas for dual enrollment
student Emily Irizarry

St. Augustine High School senior Emily Irizarry said that her life, thus far, has been influenced by passion and impact. So what does a teenager know about passion and impact? This spring, the dually-enrolled student will graduate with not only a high school diploma, but with a degree from St. Johns River Community College. As for the impact, Emily has a two-year head start on her college education. As for the passion, she plans to continue following her grandmother/mentor’s advice: “If it’s something you love, go after it.”

Emily began pursuing her dream of becoming an elementary school teacher the summer of her sophomore year when she enrolled in SJRCC’s dual enrollment program. After what she calls a little calculating, she soon realized that with hard work and dedication, she could be eligible to graduate with a high school diploma and an associate in arts degree at the end of her senior year.

“St. Johns has given me the chance to follow my dream in record time,” Emily said. “I now can start working on my bachelor’s degree right out of high school.”

“I’ve always wanted to be an (elementary) teacher,” Emily added. “That’s the age in which you can help children craft the building blocks of life. That’s when they evolve into who they are going to be. It’s pretty special knowing that you can be a part of that.”

SJRCC instructor Ann Masters, Ph.D., said that Emily is an exceptional student. “I really felt that she tried to prepare herself well for her future students - not for just a classroom assignment, but because teaching well is important to her. Her dream is to teach,” Masters said. “Students like Emily remind teacher-educators like me that we are passing a torch, and it’s grand to see some passion, like Emily’s, on the receiving end.”

Emily said she drew her inspiration to become a teacher from her grandmother, instructor Elizabeth Foster. “She’s an incredible teacher,” she said. “I’ve seen how much she has impacted kids’ lives over the years. It’s inspiring to see someone who has a passion for what she is doing.”

Emily said the admiration is mutual. “My grandmother is proud of me,” she said, adding that in addition to her academic responsibilities, she also works full time. And while her plans involve attending Flagler College in the fall and working on her baccalaureate degree, her immediate plans include attending two graduation ceremonies, with her grandmother (from Massachusetts) in the audience.

Middleburg resident proves it’s never too late for college

When Joe Sheppard was in high school, he thought nursing would be a good career to pursue. “I like helping people, but I didn’t take the step,” Joe said. “Besides, I didn’t see any men in nursing.”

Throughout the years, Joe found ways to help people, either by volunteering or through his church; however, the idea of nursing never truly left him. After working for 20 years in sales, real estate and carpentry, Joe thought, “There’s got to be something out there for me.”

At the age of 38, and after testing the waters with courses in CPR and medical terminology, Joe decided to take the leap by enrolling in the nursing program at St. Johns River Community College. He graduated from SJRCC in 2006 and never looked back.

Now at the age of 45, Joe said he doesn’t regret delaying his nursing career. “I am able to relate to my patients better and in a lot of different ways. I think it’s because of my diverse occupational background,” he said. “I find that I’m more in-tune.”

Along the way, Joe discovered there’s more to nursing than the physical and medical tasks. “It’s assisting in the little things that make all the difference in the world. The little things count, too,” he said. “Sometimes the best medicine is holding someone’s hand and talking to them.” As far as the male nurse stereotype, Joe said there are more male nurses now than ever.

Joe currently cares for critically-ill patients at Kindred Hospital - North Florida in Green Cove Springs. He also works part time at the Mental Health Center of Jacksonville.

Joe said his future includes working on his bachelor’s degree and possibly a master’s degree. “The human body is a very complex machine. I learn something new every day,” he said. “You never stop learning.”