What Our Students Have Said
The first link (immediately following this paragraph) leads to a page with the names and course evaluations of the students (EVOC Scholars) who completed the EVOC 501 course during Spring Quarter of 2006. In addition there are a number of annoymous evaluations sent in to test the new course evaluation system for distance learners. As EVOC 501 is the first Level 1 credential course, the course evaluations should be helpful to anyone who is considering enrolling in that course. Follow this link to see:
In addition, the names of other EVOC Scholars who have completed our EVOC courses are posted below along with names of the institutions where they are employed and their observations about the EVOC courses they completed. As many of our EVOC Scholars now have their own web sites, the comments from those scholars are posted their web sites as indicated.
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The most recent graduates are listed first.
- Frank Lopez, Special Recognition (2006) - Mr. Lopez, former EVOC Scholar, has won the 2005-2006 Esquire IMAX Theatre News10 Teacher of the Year Award"! The following link leads to the News10 feature story:
Mr. Lopez also has a great web site for his students at:
- Sandy Reed, Distance Learning Option (2005) - Ms. Reed is preparing to become an ROP or community college instructor in Central California. Her comments are posted on her personal web site at:
- Phil Fournier, Distance and Traditional Learning Options (2005) - Mr. Fournier is an instructor of automotive courses at Mt. San Jacinto Community College and runs his own very successful automotive business. He actually took Level 1 courses some time ago at another institution, but retook them here to update his skills. He is also working on completing his BVE degree. His comments and examples of various EVOC assignments he has completed are posted on his personal web site at:
- Denise Spurlock, Distance Learning Option (2004) - Ms. Spurlock is an instructor of business courses at Bryman College, Whittier, California. Her comments are posted on her personal web site at:
- Starley Dullien, Traditional In-Class Option (2003) Instructor of English as a Second Language (ESL) and General Educational Development (GED) at Palm Springs Adult School, Palm Springs, California. - She states: "The specific competencies required in the EVOC courses provide the teacher with concrete skills and training to facilitate effective learning in the classroom. The program offers a foundation of administrative, managerial, and pedagogical teaching tools appropriate and beneficial for all teachers."
- Vance Bloom, Distance Learning Option (2002) Mr. Bloom is an ROP Instructor of Automotive Technology at Hemet High School, Hemet, California. - He states: "I recently took the courses EVOC501, EVOC518, and EVOC519 at California State University San Bernardino. I chose to use the Distance Learning Option for all three. I highly recommend that anyone considering getting their vocational credential, consider these courses. Since I teach Automotive Technology full time, spare time is not something I have a lot of. I was able to work on the assignments at home, when it was convenient for me. All of the EVOC instructors are very willing to work with students. Their goal is to help you 'Succeed'. The work I did in these courses was directly used with my students and my teaching abilities have been much enhanced from the instruction I received." Mr. Bloom also has a great web site for his Automotive Technology students with lots of excellent, very interesting information at:
http://www.hemethigh.com/ (follow the "ROP Automotive" link at the bottom of the links menu on the left side of the Hemet HS Home Page)
- Brian Frost, (Traditional In-Class Option (2001). Capt. Frost is Senior Marine JROTC Instructor, Ramona High School, Ramona, California. - He states:
"I recommend the CSUSB Designated Subjects Teaching Credential Courses to
all new JROTC instructors in Southern California and to any busy
professional seeking a teaching credential. Dr. Pendleton took the time and
effort to tailor a plan to meet my busy schedule. The course schedules and
learning options allowed me to complete all the course work in less than 9
months. Dr. Pendleton and his staff are polished professionals who meet the
individual needs of their students. They are great role models who
enlightened and inspired me to raise the bar for myself and my students."
- Dawn Guzman, (Traditional Option (2000). Ms. Guzman is Instructor and Clinical Coordinator of Radiologic Technology Program at El Camino College, Torrance, California. - She states: "Anyone who plans on teaching should take the EVOC courses at CSUSB. Good teaching involves a lot more than just knowing the subject matter. These courses really helped me to develop and refine the knowledge and skills needed for good teaching."
- Mike McCarthy, Traditional Option (2000). Mr. McCarthy is an ROP Automotive Instructor at Claremont High School, Claremont, California. - He States: "Through my EVOC course studies I now have ample lesson plans that help me to organize my class curriculum in an efficient and well thought out manner. One of the great pluses was learning from working professionals in the education field. I have also updated my computer skills and built a web site that students can access for updated course information."
- Jennifer Oberhelman, Instructor of Computer Literacy and General Office Skills at San Bernardino Adult School - "I found the EVOC courses very applicable to the job I am doing
and I draw on the classes each time I compile a lesson plan or present a lesson. The classes were presented in a way that was easily understood. The flexibility of the course was an added bonus. I enjoyed the different teaching/presenting styles of the instructors and their obvious love of what they are doing. I highly recommend the EVOC program at CSUSB." - doberhelman@msn.com
- Lorie Suntree, ROP Floral Design Instructor at Valley View High School - "I found the EVOC courses to be both positive and stimulating. The quality of instruction was excellent and consistent with current educational standards. I highly recommend these courses to all teachers whether they are veterans of the classroom or just starting their educational teaching experience." - lorie.suntree@gte.net
- Tim Thelander, Electronics Instructor at Citrus Community College - "The EVOC courses are excellent preparation for teaching. They are well organized, provide essential information that is presented in clear straightforward language and include meaningful interactive activities." - ttheland@pacbell.net
- Shelley Tofflemire, ROP Diversified Occupations Instructor at Milor/Zupanic/Rialto Adult Schools and Rialto High School - "These classes have been very informative and well structured. I like that you know what the lesson objective is and what is expected of you as a student. There is an example of every assignment and if you still have questions, the instructor is only an "e-mail" away. Some of the lessons were challenging, but with the help of other students, I was able to complete each assignment. There is something else about these classes; the instructor encourages you to interact with your fellow classmates. Because of this interaction, I have made a lot of new friends. After completing these classes, I redesigned my own curriculum similar to the EVOC format." - Tofflesj@cs.com
Yvette Toro, Business Department Chair/Instructor at Victor Valley High School - "In regard to the vocational courses at CSUSB, I would not be the instructor I am today, would not have had the confidence to survive the first two years of teaching, become Department Chair and Digital Grant Coordinator, if it were not for the EVOC courses I took at CSUSB. I only wish that they were mandatory for administrators as well as instructors (old and new).
My own students score in the 89%-99% (in MANY areas) on their Stanford Achievement Tests. None of their scores have been below 55%. When I am asked about their success I can only think of two things. I believe my children have: an excellent learning environment, and they have a clear model to follow. That is exactly what I found in the EVOC courses I took. I attribute
my success in those courses and then on the job, directly to the environment and to the PERFECTLY CLEAR models I was able to glean from while I attended CSUSB (EVOC Courses)." - yvette_toro@vvuhsd.k12.ca.us
In addition to recommendations by program graduates, the administrators from all of the institutions who have hired our program graduates praise the quality of our program. Typical of their comments is the observation made by Bob Ciauri, Director (retired) of the San Bernardino County ROP:
"I can say with certainty that the teachers from San Bernardino County
ROP who have completed the Designated Subjects Credentials course work
at California State University, San Bernardino, have received excellent
instruction that has been a significant factor in their success as
teachers. The Designated Subjects Program at CSUSB is staffed by highly
qualified professional educators who are dedicated to helping the people
who take their course work become the most effective teachers possible.
These same educators work closely with a dedicated program advisory
committee to insure that program goals and objectives are consistent
with the instructional needs of all of the institutions where program
graduates are employed as teachers. Student to faculty ratio in the
CSUSB courses remains small enough that all students are assured
individual attention and an excellent learning experience. Teachers in
our employ who have completed this program all praise the quality and
the applicability of what they learned. It is without qualification that
I recommend this program to anyone who is interested in developing
and/or improving their effectiveness as a teacher."
NOTE: This page is continuously UNDER CONSTRUCTION and is periodically updated to reflect the observations of teachers and/or administrators who have current experience with our courses and programs.
Follow the link below to find out more about Career & Technical Teacher Education at CSUSB:
July 2006