June 2008

Online Language Course Opens Many Doors for Calen Thompson

Naselle-Grays River Valley High School
Lori Dearmore, Librarian; Calen Thompson, Student

The Digital Learning Commons has opened a door of opportunity for Calen Thompson, a sophomore student at Naselle-Grays River Valley High School. Thompson is pushing himself to take rigorous courses that will impact his future college and career paths. Currently, he is enrolled in a regular tenth grade schedule with an additional science course, an advanced math course, and an online course through the DLC.

Librarian Lori Dearmore, who is the DLC team lead and Teacher/Mentor at Naselle, encouraged Thompson to try online learning. “Calen wanted his high school transcript to stand out among others, so when considering his foreign language course options, he asked if he could take Chinese,” says Dearmore, “We are a rural K-12 school with approximately 310 students. There is only one foreign language class offered and it is Spanish. Calen explained his desire to attend the Air Force Academy after high school and how studying Chinese would affect his future.”

He enrolled in Mandarin Chinese in the fall of 2007. One class period each day was spent working on his coursework in the school library. Weekly progress reports consistently showed his average class grade to be between 97-98%. “It’s easy as long as you keep track of things,” says Thompson, “Make sure you are prepared to work alone and that you are self motivated.”

Online learning leads to the halls of Olympia

In January, Dearmore and Thompson had the opportunity to join DLC representatives and visit with state legislators. While in Olympia, Thompson described how the DLC had given him the opportunity to take a course not otherwise available at his school. He described how the Chinese class will help with his future plans and how the online delivery of instruction is a benefit to his learning style.

Thompson encourages other students to try online courses: “If your school doesn’t have a class, it is a great way to go. I’ll take one more year of Chinese through online language courses.”

During the visit to Olympia, Thompson learned about the page program available to students during the legislative session. He applied and was accepted as a Senate page for Brian Hatfield of the 19th Legislative District. Giving up his mid-winter break to work as a page and learn about the legislative process is just another example of Thompson’s drive to succeed. “Eventually, I’d like to go into government and politics, so the page program was fun,” says Thompson, “I got to do a lot and meet a lot of people.”

“The Digital Learning Commons has provided Calen an opportunity to enhance his learning and take a rigorous course online,” says Dearmore, “In doing so, his high school transcript will stand out among his peers.”

This summer, Thompson is a member of the Youth Conservation Corps, working for Wahkiakum County’s Julia Butler Hansen Wildlife Refuge. Butler Hansen was a force in Washington State politics from 1939 to 1974. Thompson plans to follow in her footsteps as a public servant. He’s planning to secure his next position in Washington, D.C. Dearmore and the DLC have full faith that he’ll make it happen.

Lori Dearmore entered this success story in the DLC’s spring contest and she and Calen were the winners of two iPod Nanos. Thanks to Lori, Calen, and Naselle-Grays River Valley High School for their membership in the DLC. If you have a success story you’d like to share, please contact us at dlcinfo@learningcommons.org.

Want to read more? Browse the Success Stories page.