Spring 2020 News
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Spring 2020 News We are Different. We are Able. Mission CAA provides an equitable collegiate experience to adults with special needs who historically have not had access to college education. Students Bernard and Frank in our new computer lab Vision CAA Classes go online during Shelter in Place Empowering the student body When the shelter in place mandate was put in with Joint Venture Silicon Valley to secure to creatively transform the way place March 2020 there was one week left in the community volunteers to help CAA students the world views individuals quarter. In the last week of the Winter Quarter, and families with their new distance learning with disabilities. CAA creates CAA transitioned to a fully online learning equipment. successful contributing citizens platform, and we have Michael Reisman, Director through the arts. CAA student ambassador Oliver M. was able to of the School of Science and Technology, and Dr. give Mayor Sam Liccardo a CAA Visionary Award Motto Pamela Lindsay, Dean of Instruction, to thank. the day the Mayor Zoomed in to be interviewed by Showcase Ability! They worked tirelessly researching Zoom and the CAA podcasting class. establish links that the students would use. They Founders Executive Board also wrote and published instructions for accessing CAA extends to the entire community heartfelt Dr. Pamela Lindsay, EdD/CI Ali Barekat each of the 58 courses. thanks for your support and goodwill during these DeAnna Pursai, Exec. Dir. Reverend David Bird times. Communication, teamwork, and a steadfast Board of Directors David Cross Spring Quarter resumed on Monday, April 6. CAA desire to give adults of all abilities a chance to Leann Cherkasky-Makhni Piero Dusa welcomed ten new students. New course offerings continue learning will see this school through Toni Cook, Vice Chair Fleet Easton include US History, Fun with Famous Artists, and during these challenging times to a brighter and Sharon Dahnert Omair M. Farooqui English as a Second Language. The San Andreas more inclusive future. Stephen A. Fiss, Treasurer Hubert Gotuaco Regional Center, under the visionary leadership Mimi Giannini Geri Jewell of Executive Director Javier Zaldivar, approved an Richard Hermerding, CFO Sam T. Liccardo increase in the number of courses students could Nicole Matarangas David Maley take, from six to 12. This community collaboration Teresa Montes de Oca Michael Pritchard has been instrumental in allowing more adults Sabina Nat Blair Williamson Sandee Raval-Kiehl Gail Williamson sheltered in place at home to access more classes. Lorie Reichel-Howe These are not easy times by any measure. Many Joe Siecinski, Chair days it feels like we take two strides forward and three strides back. Yet so many silver linings have Editorial Staff CAA student and professor Bernard, and CAA Editor-in-Chief: DeAnna Pursai appeared to support this small and mighty college. Signers, perform at a DKG Gamma Psi luncheon Editor: Anthony Nguyen CAA welcomed its seventh School Underwriter, Graphic Designer: Michael Reisman the Brian & Denise Schmidt Family, underwriting Contributers the School of Art for the upcoming academic Toni Cook, Nicole Ferguson, Sharon Lea, year. CAA’s current landlord waived the last Anthony Nguyen, Clarissa Thompson three months of rent, which was given to CAA’s hardworking staff. A private family underwrote @CAACardinals new tech equipment to be able to give the students the tech access they needed. Northrup Grumman caacardinals of Sunnyvale extended financial support as well for collegeofadaptivearts distance learning infrastructure buildout. collegeofadaptivearts The CAA Mountain Movers Board welcomed a wonderful new member, Sabina Nat, a parent with www.collegeofadaptivearts.org the Basis Independent High School Robotics team. Student Tyler using distance learning in a previous [email protected] CAA established a rich community partnership 408-538-3809 quarter From the Dean's Super Staff Spotlight: Professor Roland Schmidt Roland, an experienced guitarist and is the (Home) Desk lead professor of Adaptive Guitar Class. When I reflect on the unprecedented If Roland could create a new class for CAA, end of the Winter 2020 quarter and the it would be the Basics of Cooking because he fully online Spring 2020 quarter, I have thought it could qualify as a solid option for feelings of overwhelming gratitude and anyone wanting to learn how to cook. Roland thankfulness. One word stands out above started learning to cook from a young age and all others: Commitment. When current he knows that so many of our students have events propelled CAA students away the capability to gain basic kitchen skills that from their physical classrooms to online they could apply to the real world. He enjoys classrooms, I think of our commitment making what he calls “food science” by mixing to providing an equitable, collegiate Professor Roland Schmidt different flavors that have a unique taste. experience to adults with differing abilities and our 10-year-strong vision for Roland is a local who grew up in San Jose. He CAA has allowed Ronald to grow into the providing that same experience online for learned about CAA from his sister, Nicole, best possible version of himself. Roland learns students anywhere in the state, country, also known as Professor Nicole or Art Nicole. something new each day he spends with the and world. He began his CAA career as a volunteer golf students and he thinks he will continue to gain coach in the Spring of 2013. A few years later new skills, some which he thought were out The pandemic forced our Cardinal family he was hired to site manage and AP. of his reach. CAA’s students have taught him to leave their beloved college campus Roland graduated from Sonoma State not only how to love unconditionally but also nest “on a dime.” The students’ hunger for how to be more patient while still spreading learning and staff members’ commitment University with a B.A. in communication studies and a minor in astronomy. Roland unbridled joy. It is an awesome relationship to our students proved to be sharp tools that he did not foresee when he was younger. that quickly carved a new pathway for enjoys being a part of CAA because of the developing and delivering classes online. students' growth. “It has been an absolute Roland’s Plan A was to go to graduate school Our amazing community supporters blessing to watch our students grow and for broadcasting, but his thoughts kept showed their continued commitment to evolve as individuals through their various returning to CAA and the students. He is CAA by stepping forward to help provide independent and collective endeavors.” now intent on pursuing a Master’s Degree in program and technical assistance to Special Education. students and professors. Each step reflects our ARTS Model for Learning, especially CAA Student Highlight: Amy H. regarding incredibly positive attitudes, Amy communicates with her voice and sign productive teamwork, and where we can language, but she doesn’t sign what she is trust each other as equal. saying, which her mom explained is very un- We salute the commitment of our CAA usual. Her signs augment her spoken words; families who have supported their it’s like how both smell and taste make eating students by providing space, assistance, a richer experience. Amy’s mom observed her encouragement, and love as they communication style and incorporated it into navigate this exciting new learning path her own signing, especially when she per- together. CAA’s community of supporters forms interpretive songs. that include families, friends, and When Amy’s day program closed due to organizations have Moved the Mountain COVID-19, she didn’t turn to the TV and sofa once again for our students, whose Amy learning from home 24/7. Instead, she did ABCmouse, an educa- continued growth and contributions are tion and activity website for learning math, When you first meet Amy you may think she our local and broader community’s gain. reading, etc., on her computer; devised her is a shy and quiet young woman. Once you As we say at CAA, “When Cardinals own penmanship exercises; and of course, did get to know her, you will see that she is really support each other, all take flight!” Latizmo via Zoom. When she does watch TV, an energizer bunny with a wicked sense of her favorite program is SpongeBob Square- humor. Pants. She is also watching Underdog in Amy came to CAA in 2017 and received her preparation for a role. undergraduate degree in December of 2019. What you may not know about Amy is that Amy enjoys the stage. She can play bad, as she is an adventurer. She’s been to Graceland, in Cruella, and heroes, like Underdog. She’s Dollywood, and a dude ranch. She also enjoys equally comfortable on the dance floor. Her hiking and camping. Her life is without bor- school of study centers around fitness and ders and she embodies the idea that every- living a healthy lifestyle. Her favorite classes body can be exactly who they are and be hap- include Latizmo, pound fitness, and tumbling. py with who they are. Amy isn’t a superhero When she’s not studying about healthy only on the stage; she’s a superhero in real life. choices, she is an advocate for healthy living, If you’re really lucky you might get a glimpse highly enjoying making smoothies. Dr. Pamela Lindsay, EdD/CI Co-Founder & of her orange cape as she flies around spread- Dean of Instruction ing love and hugs (from a distance of 6ft.) June Zoom Theatre Performances Zoom in, meet the actors, and enjoy the shows. If you're in a position, we invite you to help us reach a $10,000 goal in lieu of the Giving Luncheon which was not able to happen in person this past May at Scott’s Seafood.