Tech school partners with Lakes Learning

Making transition easier. That’s what Lakes Learning and the Minnesota State Community and Technical College’s new partnership is all about.

When entering MSCTC, students take an Accuplacer Assessment test to determine what math, reading and writing level class they should enter.

Some students who take that test may come up with a score a bit lower than they had hoped — right on the edge of one class and a higher level.

Rather than needing a course, maybe all the student needed was a refresher course before the test. Enter Lakes Learning.

“The college felt the need for math, reading and writing but not to exhaust financial needs,” Helene Hedlund, MSCTC dean of Academic and Student Affairs.

So without making the student take a lower level class than actually needed, Lakes Learning Instructor Amy Fish will tutor students in the desired field. The student can then test a second time and hopefully earn a better score.

“That way they’re not paying for unnecessary three credits,” Hedlund added.

Two afternoons a week — which will change to include evenings at Lakes Learning, located in the Lincoln Education Center — Fish tutors students at the college.

“This is what they do; it’s their expertise,” Hedlund said about having Lakes Learning on board. “It’s a great partnership, such a benefit. It’s a benefit to anyone in post secondary because financial is always important.”

Even further, Hedlund said she hopes to form a partnership with the English as a Second Language program to bring a more diverse population to the college.

“Our hope is for students to improve their skills and go to college. The transition is nice,” Fish said.

Another form of transition Lakes Learning has to offer is a pre-certified nursing assistant class at the college. The class lays the groundwork for the CNA program at MSCTC by going over medical vocabulary and skills. And Lakes Learning classes are free.

Also at Lakes Learning are Instructor Patti DeGroat — resident math expert — and Lead Instructor Kathy Simison.

Lakes Learning and GED serves as a “safety net” for students who have tried high school or ALC and neither worked.

Known for offering the GED — General Education Development — that isn’t necessarily what Lakes Learning is all about. For example, DeGroat worked with the employees at TEAM Industries who had to take and pass a machinist test to keep their jobs.

As much as the instructors can cover, they can’t always cover every subject needed.

“Volunteers are absolutely essential,” Fish said.

Lakes Learning is a part of the Detroit Lakes Public School system, and because of that, funds are limited. Therefore, volunteers are a big part of those helping at Lakes Learning.

“We’ve grown steadily throughout the years,” Simison said.

Those volunteers are “giving back to the community,” she added.

“We complement each other real well,” DeGroat said of the instructors and volunteers involved in Lakes Learning.

Wednesdays, DeGroat offers a math phobia class, and Thursdays she offers a basic Ojibwa and history of White Earth class. They are open to anyone. Simison pointed out that most of the people in the White Earth class are actually people from the Detroit Lakes community wanting to learn more about the reservation.

Hedlund commended Lakes Learning’s teamwork strategy.

“That’s why students are so successful,” she said. “There are tons of success stories. You can see the enthusiasm in the faces of the graduates.”

And now MSCTC can join in on that teamwork.

“We’re happy with the way it’s working out and moving forward,” Simison of the partnership.

Lakes Learning is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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