Monday, February 11, 2008
Former Tempe Police Chief is Newest Faculty Member
Ron Burns will teach Law Enforcement Technology at Rio Salodo College
Rio Salado College’s newest Law Enforcement Technology faculty member is a familiar face for Tempe Residents.
Ron Burns, a former Tempe chief of police began his duties at Rio Salado this month. Burns spent more than three decades in law enforcement as a Tempe cop, assistant chief and chief before accepting the position at Rio Salado.
“This is a great opportunity for me. I always wanted to impact the training police officers receive and in this position I can do that,” said Burns.
A Northern Arizona University graduate, Burns initial goal was to teach. But in 1971 when he graduated from NAU there were no suburban teaching jobs to be had.
With a wife and family to support Burns re-evaluated his choice of career composing a list of attributes he wanted in a job.
“Every item on my list of things I wanted fit with a police officer,” said Burns. Hired as a regular “beat cop” in the early 70’s, Burns spent 21 years patrolling the streets of Tempe and serving in almost every assignment available.
In 1988 he was promoted to assistant police chief and served in that position until 1993. Prompted by his desire to attain the top position in the department, he left Tempe to be the police chief in Kirkland, Washington, a city of 40,000 located on the east side of Seattle.
In 1995 he returned to the city of his roots serving as the police chief for Tempe until 2000. Following a brief stint at a non-profit, Burns found he missed police work too much and returned to law enforcement serving as chief of police of Lakewood, Colorado, a city of about 150,000 in the Denver suburbs. He retained that title until his recent hire at Rio Salado.
He’s glad to be back in the East Valley where most of his family still resides including three sons and five grandchildren. He is also excited to be part of one of the largest criminal justice education programs in the country.
Rio Salado has been a leader in law enforcement education since 1990 providing education to law enforcement agencies around the country.
Rio Salado’s LET program offers both a certificate of completion and an associate in applied science in law enforcement technology degree. Classes start every Monday allowing students to start their general education classes at any time.
The department also works extensively with several police agencies around the state offering certified course work and certified instructors for basic training. Those agencies include the Arizona Law Enforcement Academy, (ALEA) which offers police academy training for officers from around the state. Additionally Rio Salado partners with the Maricopa County Sherriff’s Department, Mesa Police Department, Mesa Fire Department, Arizona Department of Safety and the Arizona Department of Corrections. Students can receive up to 39 college credit hours for completing their basic training. The 39 hours is nearly two thirds of the way to earning an associate degree, said Jim Hornburg Public Safety Manger at Rio Salado College.
“An associate degree is becoming the standard for higher education for police officers. Officers need a degree to be promoted or to get specialty assignments. Our online classes make it a lot easier,” said Hornburg.
For more information about Rio Salado Law Enforcement Program call 480-517-8540 or visit the Rio Salado Web http://www.riosalado.edu/law_enforcement/
Rio Salado College’s newest Law Enforcement Technology faculty member is a familiar face for Tempe Residents.
Ron Burns, a former Tempe chief of police began his duties at Rio Salado this month. Burns spent more than three decades in law enforcement as a Tempe cop, assistant chief and chief before accepting the position at Rio Salado.
“This is a great opportunity for me. I always wanted to impact the training police officers receive and in this position I can do that,” said Burns.
A Northern Arizona University graduate, Burns initial goal was to teach. But in 1971 when he graduated from NAU there were no suburban teaching jobs to be had.
With a wife and family to support Burns re-evaluated his choice of career composing a list of attributes he wanted in a job.
“Every item on my list of things I wanted fit with a police officer,” said Burns. Hired as a regular “beat cop” in the early 70’s, Burns spent 21 years patrolling the streets of Tempe and serving in almost every assignment available.
In 1988 he was promoted to assistant police chief and served in that position until 1993. Prompted by his desire to attain the top position in the department, he left Tempe to be the police chief in Kirkland, Washington, a city of 40,000 located on the east side of Seattle.
In 1995 he returned to the city of his roots serving as the police chief for Tempe until 2000. Following a brief stint at a non-profit, Burns found he missed police work too much and returned to law enforcement serving as chief of police of Lakewood, Colorado, a city of about 150,000 in the Denver suburbs. He retained that title until his recent hire at Rio Salado.
He’s glad to be back in the East Valley where most of his family still resides including three sons and five grandchildren. He is also excited to be part of one of the largest criminal justice education programs in the country.
Rio Salado has been a leader in law enforcement education since 1990 providing education to law enforcement agencies around the country.
Rio Salado’s LET program offers both a certificate of completion and an associate in applied science in law enforcement technology degree. Classes start every Monday allowing students to start their general education classes at any time.
The department also works extensively with several police agencies around the state offering certified course work and certified instructors for basic training. Those agencies include the Arizona Law Enforcement Academy, (ALEA) which offers police academy training for officers from around the state. Additionally Rio Salado partners with the Maricopa County Sherriff’s Department, Mesa Police Department, Mesa Fire Department, Arizona Department of Safety and the Arizona Department of Corrections. Students can receive up to 39 college credit hours for completing their basic training. The 39 hours is nearly two thirds of the way to earning an associate degree, said Jim Hornburg Public Safety Manger at Rio Salado College.
“An associate degree is becoming the standard for higher education for police officers. Officers need a degree to be promoted or to get specialty assignments. Our online classes make it a lot easier,” said Hornburg.
For more information about Rio Salado Law Enforcement Program call 480-517-8540 or visit the Rio Salado Web http://www.riosalado.edu/law_enforcement/
Labels: online classes
Excellence in Education Awarded North High Teacher
North High School teacher awarded “Excellence in Education”
North High School Social Studies Department Chair Daniel Dodge is often referred to as “Mr. North High” by fellow teachers and administrators. The popular teacher is admired and trusted by students at the school. This week the Phoenix Union High School District student government advisor was the winner of the “Excellence in Education” award presented in partnership with RioSalado College and KEZ 99.9FM.
North High School Social Studies Department Chair Daniel Dodge is often referred to as “Mr. North High” by fellow teachers and administrators. The popular teacher is admired and trusted by students at the school. This week the Phoenix Union High School District student government advisor was the winner of the “Excellence in Education” award presented in partnership with RioSalado College and KEZ 99.9FM.
Dodge was nominated by North High School student body president Stephen Geffrey.
Calling him a legend because of his enthusiasm and dedication, Geffrey, said Dodge has inspired many students including him to become educators.
“He has been instrumental in teaching 18 years of students the important lessons of leadership, diversity, and respect,” said Geffrey of Dodge who plans and coordinates the school’s multicultural retreat. Dodge is the sixth teacher to be recognized this school year in the “Excellence in Education” program.
Each month during the school year, a Valley teacher is selected and recognized for his or her outstanding contributions to education. KEZ’s Marty Manning and Rio Salado’s Maribeth All visit the teacher’s school to surprise them with their “Excellence in Education” award. The surprise visit is broadcast live during the “Beth and Bill Morning Show.” All winning teachers are awarded $99, an “Excellence in Education” plaque, a KEZ Prize Bag of Fun, and their picture on the KEZ999.com and Rio Salado College websites. Online entry forms can be found at www.kez999.com/pages/promo/excellence_in_education/
Rio Salado College - "Getting involved in the communities we serve!"
Labels: education, online classes, teachers
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
New English Language Classes Start at Rio Salado
Rio Salado College is holding open enrollment for English as a Second Language (ESL) credit classes. In-person classes begin Feb. 26 in Surprise, Mesa, and Paradise Valley, and online classes start every Monday. Students will receive college credit upon completion of each course, and classes range from five to 15 weeks. Evening classes are available.
Benefits of ESL credit classes
Students gain both language and computer skills. Students receive personalized attention from instructors with master’s degrees in the discipline. Students interact with engaging technology that caters to their learning style: audio, visual, and kinesthetic. Students can access their classes anytime or anywhere the Internet is available. Students pay affordable tuition with payment plans and financial aid. There is no residency requirement for ESL credit classes.
Seating is limited for in-person classes. For more information about registration, call 480.517.8249.
Benefits of ESL credit classes
Seating is limited for in-person classes. For more information about registration, call 480.517.8249.
Labels: online classes
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Early childhood Education Online Program Fills Need
Often child-care provders have little time or money to pursue an education... You need a schedule that is flexible," Diana Abel.
Diana Abel, Rio Salado College Director of Early Childhood Education and Human Development Undergraduate Studies, was a stay-at-home mom working as a family childcare provider when she realized she wanted more.
While she was passionate about the youngsters in her home, she knew there were thousands of others she wanted to reach.
Today she’s in charge of Rio Salado’s early childhood undergraduate program. Started just over a year ago, the program already has more than 500 students and is expected to continue to grow as more and more child care providers realize that gaining college-level certificates and degrees in today’s marketplace is vital,” said Abel.
Like many of her generation, Abel dropped out of college in 1971 to raise her family. Eight years later as a childcare provider serving on a state committee she realized if she wanted to make a difference in the child care field she needed to complete her education.
While serving as the executive director of a Tempe-based non-profit Abel went back to school earning a bachelors in 1995 her masters in 1998 and her doctorate in 2001. She’s taught early childhood education at Glendale Community College and served as the faculty chair at Mesa Community College before taking on the role of director at Rio Salado. She’s quick to point out without her education her career options would have been severely limited as well as her ability to influence the field.
“Because of my background one of my greatest pleasures is to mentor others who struggle to balance family needs with professional aspirations,” said Abel.
Abel and Rio Salado College Project Manager Rene Manning, who also started as a child care provider, believe Rio’s early childhood education program has grown so quickly in part because of their understanding of those in the field and their challenges to complete their education.
“Often child care providers have little time or money to pursue an education. Online education can be a very time effective solution especially if you have childcare barriers, transportation issues and you need a schedule that is flexible,” said Abel.
“The vast majority of our students are already working with children 40 or 50 hours a week, they need to be able to go to school when they have the time not when the institution schedules it,” said Abel.
Her experience in the field is extensive including organizing a variety of non-profits and developing professional training. She was also instrumental in starting the National Association for Family Child Care. While representing Arizona lobbying for expansion of the National Child Care Food Program she and fourteen other family child care providers organized the NAFCC, the first association designed expressly for those in the industry now in its 25th year.
She also set up a nonprofit association to provide professional development training and started a group to enroll child care providers in the Child Care Food Program.
Rio Salado is the only Maricopa Community College early childhood program offering all courses necessary to complete an associates degree online. Credits are transferable to Northern Arizona, Ottawa and Northcentral universities. Courses start every Monday and the early childhood program offers certificates and degrees in Early Childhood Education and available later this spring, will be Early Childhood Business Administration or Family Life Education.
Additionally, child care providers working on national credentials such as the Child Development Associate (CDA) or the Certified Childhood Professional (CCP) can use selected coursework from Rio Salado to fulfill the educational requirements necessary to meet credentialing criteria.
For additional information regarding Early Childhood Undergraduate and Professional Development programs, contact Rio Salado College Student Enrollment Services at 480-517-8580 or visit our web site at http://www.riosalado.edu/.
While she was passionate about the youngsters in her home, she knew there were thousands of others she wanted to reach.
Today she’s in charge of Rio Salado’s early childhood undergraduate program. Started just over a year ago, the program already has more than 500 students and is expected to continue to grow as more and more child care providers realize that gaining college-level certificates and degrees in today’s marketplace is vital,” said Abel.
Like many of her generation, Abel dropped out of college in 1971 to raise her family. Eight years later as a childcare provider serving on a state committee she realized if she wanted to make a difference in the child care field she needed to complete her education.
While serving as the executive director of a Tempe-based non-profit Abel went back to school earning a bachelors in 1995 her masters in 1998 and her doctorate in 2001. She’s taught early childhood education at Glendale Community College and served as the faculty chair at Mesa Community College before taking on the role of director at Rio Salado. She’s quick to point out without her education her career options would have been severely limited as well as her ability to influence the field.
“Because of my background one of my greatest pleasures is to mentor others who struggle to balance family needs with professional aspirations,” said Abel.
Abel and Rio Salado College Project Manager Rene Manning, who also started as a child care provider, believe Rio’s early childhood education program has grown so quickly in part because of their understanding of those in the field and their challenges to complete their education.
“Often child care providers have little time or money to pursue an education. Online education can be a very time effective solution especially if you have childcare barriers, transportation issues and you need a schedule that is flexible,” said Abel.
“The vast majority of our students are already working with children 40 or 50 hours a week, they need to be able to go to school when they have the time not when the institution schedules it,” said Abel.
Her experience in the field is extensive including organizing a variety of non-profits and developing professional training. She was also instrumental in starting the National Association for Family Child Care. While representing Arizona lobbying for expansion of the National Child Care Food Program she and fourteen other family child care providers organized the NAFCC, the first association designed expressly for those in the industry now in its 25th year.
She also set up a nonprofit association to provide professional development training and started a group to enroll child care providers in the Child Care Food Program.
Rio Salado is the only Maricopa Community College early childhood program offering all courses necessary to complete an associates degree online. Credits are transferable to Northern Arizona, Ottawa and Northcentral universities. Courses start every Monday and the early childhood program offers certificates and degrees in Early Childhood Education and available later this spring, will be Early Childhood Business Administration or Family Life Education.
Additionally, child care providers working on national credentials such as the Child Development Associate (CDA) or the Certified Childhood Professional (CCP) can use selected coursework from Rio Salado to fulfill the educational requirements necessary to meet credentialing criteria.
For additional information regarding Early Childhood Undergraduate and Professional Development programs, contact Rio Salado College Student Enrollment Services at 480-517-8580 or visit our web site at http://www.riosalado.edu/.
Labels: online classes
