STEAM summer camp and College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) staff
Esmeralda Martinez can tell you the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics summer camp that Adams State offers to migrant education students is an effective learning program. It’s a 10-day session for juniors and seniors in high school that yields them college credit and helps them envision themselves on a college campus.
The program has had a steady presence at Adams State since 2014 and this summer brought in 30 students from communities like Fort Morgan, Greeley, Grand Junction and Colorado Springs. So impressive is the summer session that the Adams State School of Education recognized the staff with its Educator Highlight Award on Friday, June 13, an honor that spotlights each month the outstanding work happening in the San Luis Valley’s educational system.
What Esmeralda Martinez can’t tell you is that the future of the decade-long program is secure.
At a time when the federal government is severing its long-standing partnerships with higher education and particularly targeting programs that address populations like migrant students, uncertainty engulfs the program.
Which is what made the recognition from Adams State’s teaching faculty all the more significant and special.
“With the new administration, everything is kind of up in the air. This is the first year since 1965 that it’s a little bit uncertain,” Martinez said of federal funding for migrant education programs as she and her team put a cap on this summer’s STEAM session.
The STEAM camp and migrant education summer programs at Adams State are supported by staff as well as mentors who are college students and come in for the summer to help.
“My favorite part is including the mentors because they’re college students and they’re in CAMP also. So they understand what college is about and the hope is that they have close-in-age peers to ask questions.”
The STEAM program also receives support from the El Pomar Foundation and CHFA (Colorado Housing and Finance Authority) to assist with computers and other costs. “They want to make sure that students have everything they need to continue to go to school and to finish high school and come back to the university,” Martinez said of the alliances.
As this summer’s STEAM session came to a close and Martinez and her staff basked in the spotlight of the Educator Highlight Award and recognition from their peers in the Adams State School of Education, Martinez had a final sendoff message to the migrant education students.
“We believe in you and that’s why we’re here. We want you back here as future professionals. We need you. We need your passion and your commitment. Together we can change the world.”
PAST EHA WINNERS
Presley Garcia, Monte Vista special education teacher
Nick Dionisio, Alamosa High English teacher
Aaron Miltenberger, Boys & Girls Club executive director
Anna Bishop, Center High School CLD teacher
Phyllis Vigil, Sierra Grande first-grade teacher
AlexAndria Moore-Guenter, Moffat Schools secondary counselor
Omar Gonzalez, Alamosa Elementary visual art and music teacher
Leanna Brazel, Alamosa Elementary kindergarten teacher
Freddy Lawrence, Alamosa Elementary custodian
Joe Guenther, South Conejos School District
Katie Turner, Del Norte math teacher
Edwin Mondragon, Monte Vista High School agriculture teacher
Aaron Williams, GOAL High School English teacher
Miriam Baines, Alamosa High School biology and math teacher
Rachel Kellum, Moffat Schools art teacher
Darlene Pinales, Sargent School District, food service staff member
Upward Bound summer faculty, Adams State University Review of Awardees
Erika Henderson, chemistry teacher Alamosa High School
Jay Sarason, aviation teacher, Sargent High School
Domingo Estrada, director, Semillas de la Tierra
Lisa Lucero, preschool teacher, Moffat School District
Scott Honeycutt, ASD’s transportation director and chief safety officer
Annette Sisneros, fifth-grade teacher, Alamosa Elementary
Taylor Hubbard, K-12 art teacher, Centennial School District
Lauren McKinney, science teacher, Sangre de Cristo Schools
Amanda Stagner, business teacher, Alamosa High School
ABOUT THE EDUCATOR HIGHLIGHT AWARD:
This monthly award recognizes Adams State University School of Education alumni, prominent local teachers, and other educators working within or hailing from the San Luis Valley. In so doing, Adams State University hopes to build familiarity with the community as a serious destination for future educators. Nominate an educator.
