Simley Teacher Brings College Learning To All Students In Inver Grove Heights

From the Inver Grove Heights Schools:

October 17, 2019

Simley Teacher Brings College Learning To All Students In Inver Grove Heights

For their junior Language Arts credit, Simley High School students can enroll in Communications 11 or AP Language and Composition. While the AP class has always offered college-level learning and an opportunity for college credit, Communications 11 teacher David Guenzel worked with Inver Hills Community College to include college learning in his class as well. The result is a one-of-a-kind class that ensures that all juniors, including the more than 100 students who take Communications 11 each year, are introduced to college work before graduation.

Starting in the 2019-2020 school year, Mr. Guenzel began integrating the curriculum of Inver Hills’ College Success Strategies course into his Communications 11 class. He regularly checks in with the professor of the Inver Hills class, Brenda Van Vossen, to make sure that his students are meeting the same standards as students taking her college course and that their grading is aligned.

“The idea of this class is rooted in the belief that post-secondary education should be available to everyone,” he says. “This is extremely important in breaking down barriers and creating opportunity for all students.”

The addition of the College Success Strategies curriculum familiarizes students with campus technologies, money management, goal-setting, and the support resources available to them, including access to the Inver Hills library and writing center. Students also practice applying for college and exploring different career paths. Once the high school students complete the class, they earn two college credits in addition to the college skills developed in class.

“They are navigating college expectations with the support of staff and teachers here at Simley,” Mr. Guenzel says. “The process can be daunting and overwhelming. We're trying to make it approachable and doable so that students can find success not only at Simley, but [in college] as well.”

This press release was produced by the Inver Grove Heights Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.