The sun reflected off Milton’s sunglasses as he shook Christopher Geis’ hand on Graduation Day. They turned and posed for pictures, a blue leather-bound certificate clutched between them. Palm trees waved in the background, and applause echoed through the amphitheater. An hour later, Graduates threw up their royal blue hats, and settled in for a night of music, giant Jenga, epic photo booth captures, and many, many trips to the chocolate fountain.
This past weekend marked the 2017 Graduation Ceremony in San Diego, California. During the ceremony, we were able to hear from our student body exactly what Christa McAuliffe School of Arts and Sciences meant to them. “Flexibility,” some said. “Independence,” others said. “The ability to get an education AND live my dream.” The list went on, and we beamed, bright as the sun reflecting off Milton’s sunglasses.
Our mission is to help empower students to thrive and explore their own genius. Please join us in celebrating the graduating class of 2017, and wish them well as they journey on to live their unique purpose and make their impact on the world.
#graduation2017 #myschoolmyway #touchthefuture #returnonimpact
The Power of Simple Words
Hi Evette, tell us a little about your passions outside of work.
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Hi Trish! Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I love living in beautiful Portland, Oregon, home of fabulous restaurants, coffee shops, donuts and Portlandia—and so close to the mountains on one side and the Pacific ocean on the other! I have three wonderful boys—ages 12 ½, 9 ½ and 3 ½--who all look exactly like my husband and me combined and who keep me very busy! I enjoy reading, baking, hiking, camping, crafting and exploring said donut shops.
Hi Mrs. Helgerud! Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I currently live just north of Houston in The Woodlands, TX with my husband and three teenage daughters (and our beagle). Before moving to Texas 15 years ago, we lived in California (San Francisco bay area) for 7 years. I grew up in Bloomington, IN, but also spent two years living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia when I was little and was an exchange student in Germany my senior year of high school. I have also lived in Minnesota (college and student teaching) and Utah (my first teaching job). I love to travel, read, spend time with my family, and do anything involving music and the arts. While I do not currently have the time to participate as I used to, I enjoy keeping up with my daughters’ artistic endeavors and attending community and professional performances as much as possible.
Hi Mrs. Chase! Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I live in Utah and have lived here my whole life other than a year spent in Hawaii going to college, which I loved! I am married to my high school sweetheart and we are parents to five, soon to be six, rambunctious kids. I obviously love being a mother and find nothing else as rewarding or enjoyable as being a mom. I love all things crafty. I love to decorate my house, work in my yard and go on vacations with my family. I have one daughter (soon to be two) and I LOVE playing with her hair. I love trying out new hair do's on her and I am sure she is excited to have a sister to share a head of hair with me. I like to cook and sew if I ever find time and I enjoy being around my family and friends.
Hi Derek and Kim! Tell us a little bit about yourselves.
Aloha! We are Derek and Kim Ozment. We live on the island of Kaua’i in state of Hawai’i. Besides working with CMASAS as high school and middle school science teachers and PECs, we own and operate a jewelry business. We both have extensive experience as educators in various fields. Derek has been a college lab instructor and a Middle School/High School science teacher. Kim homeschooled her three children and has taught Home Economics and P.E. for High School and adult students.
Hi Kimberly! Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I currently live outside of Washington, DC in Maryland, but I started working for CMASAS five years ago when I lived in Anchorage, Alaska. Since then I have lived in Seattle, WA, and Melbourne, Australia. My husband and I love to see the world, and fortunately, our flexible jobs allow us to move around and experience different parts of the world as well. Wherever we live, we love to live as tourists and locals and soak up all we can from the people, culture, etc.
Hi Carrie! Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am originally from Texas and I’ve spent many years moving all over the United States and the world with my husband. We settled back in Dallas, Texas with our six year old, Jeff, three year old, Jackson, and 6 month old, Joshua…3 boys!! I enjoy reading, running, painting, traveling, and spending time with my husband and sons!
Today meet Robin Bradley, an Administrative Assistant with CMASAS. Her extensive background in personalized education and her joy for learning bring so much momentum to the CMASAS team.
Meet Personalized Education Coach Camille Zimmerman and read about some of the inspiring students she has enjoyed working with.
Read about the daily life and passions of Mrs. Stephanie Smith, the Japanese instructor at CMASAS.
Hi Tami! Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Just wanted to introduce myself to you. I live in Northern Utah in an area called Cache Valley. I am in the Mountain Time zone. I have been teaching online for over 14 years and love the opportunities it provides for me and my students. I enjoy gardening and spending time with my family. I have three kids of my own, a boy (16), and two girls (9 & 11)
Hi Heidi! Tell us a bit about yourself.
I currently reside in Kennewick, WA (aka, the “Tri Cities”) in the eastern part of Washington where it is dry and does not rain much!I have lived and taught in Washington, Oregon, Maryland, and Utah. I am married and have two boys—ages 5 and 8. They keep me very busy with their many activities. I keep busy going to PTA meetings, playing golf, camping, attending college athletics (football especially), playing and teaching tennis, traveling to Hawai’i, reading, and playing lots of sports with my boys! I don’t have much ‘free time’...but when I do I like to read the newspaper or run/hike/walk.
Meet Mrs. Lynne Dolph, high school instructor and art enthusiast. We hope you're enjoying getting to know your CMASAS instructors!
Here on the blog, we're starting a series introducing our teachers and staff. These highly trained, accredited, passionate individuals are all who makes CMASAS a truly excellent online school. Today we're pleased to introduce you to Kim Fowler.
Here on the blog, we're starting a series introducing our teachers and staff. These highly trained, accredited, passionate individuals are all who makes CMASAS a truly excellent online school. Today we're pleased to introduce you to Daisy Cheatham.
Here on the blog, we're starting a series introducing our teachers and staff. These highly trained, accredited, passionate individuals are all who makes CMASAS a truly excellent online school. Today we're pleased to introduce you to Cindy Page.