Symposium addresses education

North Lake College has announced the symposium for the fall semester titled, “The State of Education in America.” It will take place on Oct. 11 at noon in the Gallery.

“We want to talk about what is happening with our education,” said Christan Amundsen, symposium moderator and psychology instructor. “Help sort out what is real and what is fake, and sort out the academics from the politics.”

The symposium is open to all students and is a good way to get to know the teachers as well as what's going on in the world.

The bench consists of Sherry Boyd, an instructor of Humanities, Lynn Brink, who teaches Social Sciences, Douglas Howie, an instructor of philosophy, Amy Bacio, a government instructor, Rene Castilla, the Executive Dean of Education, and Angelo Acala, the head of the teacher education program.

“Instructors need to change how they teach,” Sherry Boyd said addressing the current education. “They get caught in 'lecture mode' but are talking to a generation who see things change every four seconds on TV.”

Boyd also thinks that this is the student's responsibility as well as the teacher. If they think that it is the teacher's responsibility, then they lose what education is really about.

Corey Loverson, a North Lake student, said, “I think the education system is great. There are more opportunities then ever to obtain a degree and pursue higher education.”

Loverson feels that scholarships and financial aid are becoming more available to the students, and that people are more able to receive the education despite financial difficulties.

The college plans to have a symposium every semester addressing topics that relate to the students.