June 1, 2017

NEWSLETTER Merced County Office Of Education

Medical Assisting

Celeste Martinez (pictured left) began attending the Adult Medical Assisting program in July

of 2016. Celeste’s bilingual skills, combined with her quick grasp of medical practices made

her an ideal candidate for early site placement. She was placed with Dr. Soni, a cardiologist

practicing in both Merced and Turlock. Celeste soon proved herself to be indispensable to

the practice, and was hired before her internship was completed!

Instructor- Kristi Lindsey

Medical Assisting

Crystal Blanco enrolled in the Adult Medical

Assisting program in September of 2015. Facing

much personal adversity, Crystal took a little

longer to complete the program, but was

undeterred from her goals. After internship and

graduation, Crystal threw herself

wholeheartedly into her job search, and was

swiftly employed with GVHC!

Laura Zuniga was placed in the Adult

Medical Assisting program in March of

2016. Never a quitter, Laura faced much

adversity while trying to complete the

program. Her internship with a wound care

clinic expanded on her clinical skills, and

when Laura graduated, she was ready to

jump into the work force. Her hard work

paid off within a month, when she obtained

full time work with Gettysburg Medical

Clinic in Modesto!

Instructor- Kristi Lindsey

Shawn Matthews started Pre-Wex Working

Professional program in November of 2016. She was

referred by Johnny Shamoun. From the beginning you

could see Shawn was a very hard worker and

motivated to be successful. Not only was she

attending the Pre-Wex program in the afternoon, she

attended the Merced Adult School in the morning to

obtain her high school diploma. Shawn’s goal was to

be in the full time vocational program Medical Office

Administration. Fortunately, a lot of the work Shawn

did in the Pre-Wex program transferred over into the

Medical Office program.

March of 2017 proved to be a turning point in Shawn’s life in more ways than one. She

graduated from the Adult School with her high school diploma. On March 24th Shawn was

referred this time by Michael Solis into the full time vocational program, Medical Office. On

March 30th she participated in the mock interviews. The interviewers were staff members

from various departments at MCOE. Shawn was interviewed by Cristian Maldonado and

Sheila Brooks. Both were impressed with Shawn.

A few weeks later Shelia called Beth and asked about the young woman she interviewed.

Beth knew she was referring to Shawn. Sheila is a Program Advisor in the Assets Program.

Sheila needed a temporary assistant and asked if Shawn was available to help her. Shawn

would be paid through the MCOE Student Aide Helper program. This chance at a job will not

only give Shawn office and clerical experience

but some extra money as well.

Shawn is already enrolled in The University of

Phoenix and is majoring in Medical

Administration. Quite an accomplishment for a

young mother who is only 20 years old. The

future will be bright for this amazing lady.

Working Professional / Medical Office Administration

Instructor– Beth Smith

Foundation in Early Education

Instructor– Donna Acheson

LeeAnn Jones began Foundations in Early Childhood Education in February of 2017. She began

her Community Classroom at Westside Early Head Start in Los Banos in March of 2017. Her

training in the classroom has allowed her to learn about infants and toddlers needs and

development. Working at a school site has enabled her to put what she has learned into

practice. She works closely with the young students building meaningful relationships and

encouraging them through daily activities. The course and Community Classroom time has

allowed her to build her confidence and abilities to work with infants and toddlers.

This class will give her 6 units in Infant Toddler - Child Development Education. LeeAnn will

apply for a teaching permit to work with infants and toddlers when she finishes the class in July

2017. She plans on applying at Westside Early Head Start as an Associate Teacher.

Ariani with Miss LeeAnn Saray, Ariani with Miss LeeAnn

LeeAnn is working with the students in an activity which involves seeing the reaction baking

soda makes when mixed with vinegar. The children are developing their cognition, and fine

motor skills, while exploring their senses.

Medical Assisting

Xochilt Ferrera Began attending the

Adult Medical Assisting Program in

November of 2015. Her calm personality

made her a natural leader in the

classroom. Xochilt was able to transfer

her people skills into the medical office

when she was placed in an internship

with Dr. Soni, Cardiologist. Xochilt won

over the staff in no time at all, and was

offered full time employment at the end

of her internship!

DORA ROBLES STAFF SECRETARY

PHONE: 209-381-6684

FAX: 209-381-6667

E-MAIL: DROBLES@MCOE.ORG

ROP ADULT PROGRAM

632 W. 13th Street Merced, CA 95341

MARY WHITED

COORDINATOR

PHONE: (209) 381-6677

E-MAIL: MWHITED@MCOE.ORG

WE’RE ON THE WEB! http://www.mcoe.org/deptprog/career/ROP/

Pages/ROP-for-Adults.aspx

Instructor- Kristi Lindsey

CTE ROP MERCED

Over 1,700 high school and adult students throughout Merced County participate in ROP courses. Nearly all of these students prepare an Employability Portfolio and participate in ‘mock’ interviews. Among the 1,700 students enrolled in ROP, 74 students were chosen to be honored to receive the ROP Award of Excellence.

The Employability Portfolio process requires that each student: Complete a Portfolio Table of Contents, Complete a Cover Letter, Complete a Job Application, Prepare a Resume of Job Skills, Education and Work History, Secure a Letter of Recommendation, Complete a Career Action Plan, Provide One or More Work Samples, Include an Employability Evaluation.

Business and community professionals personally interviewed students. After completing the interview, a rubric and score sheet, including feedback were completed and given to the student.

Students were expected to dress appropriately for the interview, conduct themselves in a professional manner, and write a thank-you card.

ROP teachers nominate exemplary students for the Award of Excellence based on portfolio completion, Portfolio Day participation, coursework, class participation, citizenship, attendance and community service.

Lisa Gonzalez is a student from the ROP Medical Assisting

for Adults program in Los Banos. The training and skills she has learned in her ROP class have allowed her to earn several MOUS certifications as well as allowing her to obtain part time employment with the County of Merced as a Care Giver. Lisa enjoyed learning about the human body and its systems and says that she is very appreciative of the one-on-one time her teacher gave her. In the future she plans to take the California State Medical Assistant Certification exam and would also like to further her education to eventually become a LVN.

Maria Rodriguez is a student from Mrs.

Acheson’s Foundations in Early Education for Adults class. Her Community Classroom training site is the Fairside Early Head Start Center in Merced. She says this class has given her both experience and understanding of what it takes to work with young children. Maria says this experience has given her the reassurance that this is the field she would like to go into. She too will pursue an education in Child Development eventually becoming an Early Education Master teacher.

Brandi Delema is a student at the Wolfe Educational

Center in Ms. Smiths’ Accounting Occupations for Adults class. What she likes best about her ROP class is how Ms. Anna and Ms. Smith are always willing to help students. She also likes the encouragement received from not only the teachers but from other students as well. Brandi says students in this class are fortunate to have the opportunity to receive experience and training in the most up-to-date computer programs and office technologies. The hands-on real-world experience she gained through her internship will help her in the future. Brandi plans to attend Merced College where she will complete general education courses. Her future career goal is to work in the accounting or administration fields.