Starting for Spring 2020, students interested in attending the College’s Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma program (Moraine Park Technical College course 543-300) will be able to apply for Admission to the College online. Students can access the application by navigating to www.morainepark.edu/apply. The online application became available September 3, 2019. Students will need to have completed the application, paid the one-time, non-refundable $30 application fee, and completed the Criminal Background Check process in order to be accepted to the Nursing Assistant program. There is no placement testing or transcript required for admission to this program.

Once students are accepted to the Nursing Assistant program, they will have a program code that will allow them to register for a section of 543-300. Students without this program code will be unable to register for course 543-300 beginning with registration for Spring 2020. (Fall 2019 registration is not impacted). More information about the Nursing Assistant program can be found on our website at https://www.morainepark.edu/programs/nursing+assistant/.

I am Cristal Gilbertson and a returning adult student to Moraine Park Technical College for the Early Childhood Education Program.  I plan to graduate in May, 2020.  Having worked in the child care field for more than 25 years, I love working with children of all ages.  I really enjoy how this is an ever-changing field with new research about how children learn and grow. I also apply what I learn as I raise my three sons.

Love to learn

I love to learn.  When the state required child care professionals to have more training, I embraced the opportunity. I completed two different credentials offered by MPTC – the Infant and Toddler Credential Certificate and the Early Childhood Preschool Credential Certificate.  Each certificate totaled 12 credits and required a portfolio.  It was worth my hard work because I was able to advance myself in the field and keep myself employable.  MPTC proved to be easy to work with throughout the process, and I had great instructors who wanted to help students.

Enjoying courses

As I am working on my Associate’s Degree, I really benefit from the small classroom sizes and the variety of courses you can take online or in the classroom; however, I prefer classroom courses. I am currently trying a new course format of a Video Conference for the Thinking Critically and Creatively course, which is taught by Dr. Rebecca Leichtfuss.  I am moving out of my comfort zone in this course, and I find it truly interesting. The TED Talks and real life applications in this course are awesome.

Continuing my education

After years of teaching and now that my sons are growing up, I am looking for a career change.  I still love working with children. I applied for Credit for Prior Learning at MPTC and met with an advisor at MPTC to determine how I could complete my Associate’s Degree with the credits I had already earned.  After I earn my Associate’s Degree, I may choose a career in occupational therapy, and MPTC is helping me determine how I can transfer to a 4-year college to earn my  Bachelor’s Degree for this career change.

Written by: Cristal Gilbertson

In celebration of Fair trade Month and Global Climate Change Week, a community wide Empowering the Conversation event will be held in the Moraine Park Technical Fair Trade College Fond du Lac Campus Commons on October 29. A Global Market will be open starting at 11 am throughout the day and evening. At 5:00 pm displays by area environmental groups and sales by Fair Trade businesses as well as Fair Trade refreshments prepared by the MPTC culinary arts students will begin.

At 6:00 pm, Miranda Paul will be the featured speaker with ” “Think Globally, Act Locally: Two Stories, Two Heroes, Many Ways to Help,”
Miranda has been a teacher in Gambia as well as the owner of a Fair Trade store in Green Bay. Her presentation will focus on two of her books, “One Plastic Bag” and “I am Farmer.”   One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia tells the inspiring story of five women who creatively dealt with their village’s plastic trash problem. Despite limited resources and ridicule, Isatou and her friends persevered for more than a decade, eventually realizing economic empowerment through their recycled plastic purse project. 

I am Farmer, written in collaboration with Baptiste Paul, is the true story of how environmentalist Farmer Tantoh is transforming the landscape in his home country of Cameroon. When Tantoh Nforba was a child, his fellow students mocked him for his interest in gardening. Today he’s an environmental hero, and bringing clean water and bountiful gardens to the central African nation of Cameroon.

Several of Miranda’s books will be available for sale and autographs.  Displays and the Fair Trade sale will be open until 8:00 pm.

An apprenticeship – what is that? Terri Kollmann, the Applied Technology/Trades Administrative Assistant answers this question quite often for students. It’s not a Boot Camp, and it’s not an Internship. To put it simply – You Work While You Learn.

An apprenticeship is an opportunity to grow in a well-paying, in-demand career. You can attend school while working a full-time job. Both Moraine Park and the company will work to train you on the full scope of your trade.

Caleb Rahn, Josh Frederick, and Tyler Guell are second-year Electrical apprentices.

Caleb works for DeTroye Electric in Oostburg, WI. “I started my apprenticeship right out of high school.”

Josh, an apprentice for Dave Jones, Inc. in Monona, WI, switched careers after 39 years.
“I like that I’m getting paid to learn,” he said.

Tyler is an apprentice for Endries Solar & Electric, LLC. in Sheboygan, WI.
“I was a heavy equipment operator,” he said. “The best decision I ever made was switching careers after 41 years.”

Whether you’re right out of high school or changing careers, with an apprenticeship, you start with a job and build a career!

Do you think an apprenticeship might be right for you or someone you know? Do you have any questions?

Feel free to contact Terri at: tkollmann@morainepark.edu

From September 12 – 23, 2019, Moraine Park hosted 14 students and 2 instructors from the Peter Behrens Schule in Darmstadt, Germany.

This was a wonderful cultural opportunity for German and Wisconsin students, staff and volunteers to learn and have fun together! German students were hosted by MPTC families or stayed at the VUE Campus apartments. The students and instructors experienced a whirlwind of WI culture including Lambeau Field Tour, Lake Winnebago Tour, Just Fare Market, Harley Museum, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee Bucks, WI Badgers, farmers markets, WI Dells, Trek Bike races, Culvers, Friday fish fries, WI supper clubs and more! Students also attended MPTC classes related to their fields of study at both Fond du Lac and West Bend Campuses.

A big thank you to our Culinary Instructor James Simmers for hosting this awesome opportunity, and all of our volunteers, Rachel Tease, Eric Ludwig, Heidi Sternig, Kevin Rodriquez, David Mulder, Kevin Niedfeldt, Jill Stiemsma, Bobbi Fields, Tina Cordell, Lisa Dougherty, Jim Daniels, Melissa Schmidt and Chris Frederick; and also to Tinesha Smith at the VUE for helping make this a tremendous experience for all!

Are you looking to jump-start your education and career?

If so, Moraine Park has a great opportunity for you!

232 years ago, on September 17, 1787, the Constitution of the United States of America was signed by the founding fathers.

Trivia: How many men signed the constitution?

If you guessed 39, you guessed correct. At the time, 12 of the 13 states sent representatives to the Constitutional Convention. A total of 74 were named, 55 attended, 39 signed.

This day not only recognizes the formation and signing, but also all who are born in the U.S. or by naturalization, have become citizens.

Who were the 39 signatures?

• Baldwin, Abraham, GA
• Bassett, Richard, DE
• Bedford, Gunning, Jr., DE
• Blair, John, VA
• Blount, William, NC
• Brearley, David, NJ
• Broom, Jacob, DE
• Butler, Pierce, SC
• Carroll, Daniel, MD
• Clymer, George, PA
• Dayton, Jonathan, NJ
• Dickinson, John, DE
• Few, William, GA
• Fitzsimons, Thomas, PA
• Franklin, Benjamin, PA
• Gilman, Nicholas, NH
• Gorham, Nathaniel, MA
• Hamilton, Alexander, NY
• Ingersoll, Jared, PA
• Jefferson, Thomas, VA
• Jenifer, Daniel St Thomas, MD
• Johnson, William Samuel, CT
• King, Rufus, MA
• Langdon, John, NH
• Livingston, William, NJ
• Madison, James, VA
• McHenry, James, MD
• Mifflin, Thomas, PA
• Morris, Gouverneur, PA
• Morris, Robert, PA
• Paterson, William, NJ
• Pinckney, C. Cotesworth, SC
• Pinckney, Charles, SC
• Read, George, DE
• Rutledge, John, SC
• Sherman, Roger, CT
• Spaight, Richard Dobbs, NC
• Washington, George, VA
• Williamson, Hugh, NCWilson, James, PA

Happy Constitution Day!

Learn more at https://www.constitutionday.com/

Moraine Park Technical College will host their Heavy Metal Tours event during October’s manufacturing month. This free event offers participants a behind-the-scenes opportunity to tour local manufacturing facilities and learn more about the skills needed to fill current employment gaps.

The events will run from 4:30-8:00 p.m. Participants will meet at the Fond du Lac campus, and after a brief introduction, they will be bussed to the Heavy Metal Tour event locations.

Tours will take place at the following Fond du Lac area manufacturers. A light meal will be served.

• Wednesday, October 2, Kondex Corporation
• Thursday, October 10, Fives Group and RB Royal Industries, Inc.
• Wednesday, October 16, Wells Manufacturing Corporation and Mid-States Aluminum Corp.
• Wednesday, October 23, BCI Burke Co. and Mercury Marine

“The manufacturing world is changing,” Marcia Arndt associate dean of manufacturing at Moraine Park said. “This is a fun opportunity to highlight our local partners, the advancing technology, and the overall changes within the industry. 

Space is limited for this unique opportunity, and registration is required. Interested individuals are invited to participate in all four weeks, or they may choose their preferred date(s). For more information, or to register, visit morainepark.edu/heavymetal or call (262) 306-5321.

Growing up in a small town, going to the county fair was something my friends and I always looked forward to! It was the place nearly everyone from the community gathered to check out a child, friend or neighbor’s 4-H project, listened to music or visited the barns to see animals.  

This year, Moraine Park was proud to be a fair sponsor at three of the counties that make up the MPTC District. Moraine Park Day at the Washington County Fair was a lot of fun and gave us a chance to engage with young and old alike. Visitors were able to spin the Diversity Wheel for prizes, (Did you know more than 22 different languages are spoken at our three campuses?), talk to our Veterans Specialist, try their skills on our virtual welder, play a game of bags or share a high five with MPTC mascot, Maximus!  

We were thrilled that Alex Prunty, 2018 Slinger Speedway Super Late Model Champion, and MPTC alumnus, hung out with us for the day with his #11 race car. Visitors were able get Alex’s autograph, collect some APR swag and even get inside his car! Alex was a big hit!  

We also were pleased to sponsor the tractor and demo derby at the Green Lake County Free Fair and the Pig, Duck and Goat races at one of three Family Stages at the Dodge County Fair. That’s the best thing about a county fair – there’s fun for everyone! If you were at any of these three fairs, I hope you were able to stop by our booth and say hello, or enjoy the great entertainment these community events have to offer. We were glad to be able to be a part of it!