Written Works

Tami-Shae Brooks, a student at Coconino Community College, moved from Jamaica to the U.S. as a teenager and faced challenges such as immigration issues, financial difficulties, and demanding courses. Despite these obstacles, she finds support and community at her school, balancing her academic responsibilities with a part-time job and hobbies like mindfulness exercises, yoga, and hiking. Tami-Shae is determined to succeed in her studies, aiming to become a software engineer, and values the supportive environment at her college. She hopes to restore a better work-life balance after graduation.

Key Skills Practiced

This article discusses a presentation by Dr. Melanie McKay-Cody and Colin Denny on the preservation of North American Indian Sign Language (PISL) at Coconino Community College. They highlighted the historical significance of PISL as a communication tool among different tribes and the challenges in preserving it due to the influence of American Sign Language (ASL) and cultural sensitivities. Denny shared his experience performing at Super Bowl 57, emphasizing the importance of representing Native American culture. Both speakers stressed the need for a dedicated center to store and share PISL knowledge to ensure its survival for future generations.

This article was also published in the Arizona Daily Sun

Key Skills Practiced

Kai Williams, a student at CCC, will be traveling to Mexico this summer as part of a study abroad program organized by faculty member Katie Schwartz. Despite the pandemic disrupting her previous travel plans, Williams is excited to immerse herself in Mexican culture, improve her Spanish, and learn about environmental sustainability. The trip will include visits to iconic destinations like Mexico City, the Teotihuacan Pyramids, and the Frida Kahlo Museum. Williams, who has a passion for art and a particular interest in Frida Kahlo, looks forward to gaining a deeper understanding of Mexican culture and history, which she believes will be invaluable for her future academic and professional pursuits.

Key Skills Practiced

Pamela Espíndola, a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant from Argentina, is teaching Spanish at Coconino Community College (CCC) in Flagstaff, Arizona. Her role involves not only teaching Spanish but also serving as a cultural ambassador. Despite initial challenges with English, Espíndola has enjoyed interacting with students and participating in extracurricular activities like Salsa dancing and book clubs. She plans to return to Argentina to continue teaching and explore opportunities in translating and interpreting. The Fulbright program, supported by the International Institute of Education and the U.S. Department of Education, has enabled CCC to host FLTAs from various countries.

Key Skills Practiced