Profile: LBCC's Danielle Blackwell Juggles Teaching and Coordinating while being Inspiring

Danielle Blackwell helps students Brittany Vandersteen (left) and Kelsey Franich (right) with a question.

Danielle Blackwell juggles teaching and advising all while she is also inspiring to her students, with her sarcastic humor she lights up the room and her students.

Wearing her “Through a healthy body, you build a strong mind” t-shirt, Mrs. Blackwell, who is often referred to most as just Blackwell, commands her Lifetime Fitness and Wellness class, reminding them about their upcoming fitness plan that is due later in the term.

As she presents her lecture to her morning class she tells students to start working on their fitness plan with others around them and she will walk around the room to help. The all get to work and she begins the walk around the room.

Blackwell taught classes for the past few years at West Albany High School before coming to LBCC this year to teach Lifetime Fitness and Wellness and be the Albany High School programs Advanced Diploma program Coordinator and Adviser.

This is the first-year for the Greater Albany Public School's Advanced Diploma program. The program pays for students, who just graduated high school, first-year of college at LBCC.

When at West Albany, Blackwell taught Lifetime Fitness and Wellness along with a program called Peers.

Blackwell help student Amanda Jeffe.

"One of the big things the students had to do was take on a peer that either at risk or struggling in school, and they worked one-on-one with them. Then we did impact days, which were VERY powerful," said Blackwell.

[Impact Days are] a day spent just getting rid of harassment and bullying and finding out that underneath it all we're just human."

"Through that Peers class, Because we were so intimate in it, I crossed a lot of lines as a teacher that you're not supposed to because I did learn their personal life and they learned my personal life."

"We became very close, like a family," said Blackwell.

A student stops her to ask if she needs to finish the rest of a previous assignment. "Nope, you're good! Turn it in," said Blackwell.

In 2007, Blackwell won West Albany High School’s Most Inspirational Teacher award; which is an award in which the students nominate the teachers for. That same year, she also received Oregon Physical Education Teacher of the Year Award.

When asked why she believes she is an inspiration to so many students, Blackwell said, “I think because I relate to them a lot. I don't act older or superior. I'm goofy with them.”

“The way she was with students was incredible because we weren't just students to her, we were actual humans. A lot of teachers lose sight of the fact that we actually have feelings and that we're all different. Mrs. Blackwell never did lose sight of that,” said former student Karla Baum.

“My attitude on life changed after listening to her talk about how life should be. I'm more confident in my actions as a human being, and as a member of society, I feel better about my image than I did before I met Mrs. Blackwell and all around I just love people more."

Past students praise Mrs. Blackwell for being there for them or getting them through tough times. Former student Emmalee Harmon said, “Blackwell was always there for any of us that needed it. She always had open arms and an open heart.”

After finding out her father was diagnosed with cancer, Former Student Kelsea Neuenschwander said “[Blackwell] cried with me. She continually gave me a follow up of, "How are you doing?", and told me not to worry about my homework for her class.” “It made me feel like a teacher actually did care about my personal life and it made school a little less stressful through that time.”

Blackwell teaching her Lifetime
Fitness and Wellness Class.

Blackwell tries to work in her real-life experiences and mistakes she has made into her lessons, “I always give real-life examples, I always share the same battles I had. I've had battles with weight and all those things," said Blackwell.

"When I join weight watchers, I share that with everybody, so they just know that these are the things I've done too. I think it [helps me] become real or relatable [with the students]."

When asked to describe Blackwell, Co-Coordinator and Adviser of the Advanced Diploma Program, Larry Anderson, said, “She is upbeat – positive, communicates that she cares about people, has high expectations for students, has a ton of energy, is driven, has a good sense of humor – likes to laugh and can laugh at life even in tough times, and is a hard worker."

How is she able to juggle everything? “I go a little crazy sometimes,” said Blackwell.

-- At A Glance: --
Danielle Blackwell
Lifetime Fitness and Wellness Instructor, High School Program's Advanced Diploma Program Coordinator and Adviser.
Email: blackwd@linnbenton.edu
Office: T-213

"Divergent" Film Review

“Divergent”, the film that is sweeping the nation.

Opening at #1 and earning $56 million dollars internationally on its opening weekend, Divergent, is capturing the Young Adult audience. The movie is based on the series of best selling books by Veronica Roth.“Divergent” is the first in the series.

“Divergent” is a young adult film set in a post-apocalyptic Chicago where everyone is divided into five distinct factions based on their dispositions; Abnegation (selfless), Amity (peaceful), Candor (truthful), Erudite (intelligent) and Dauntless (brave).

Every year, all 16-year-olds take an aptitude test that determines what faction they are best suited for, then they must choose to stay in their current faction or choose one of the others. The choice is up to them.

Official Movie Poster

Tris, also known as Beatrice Prior, (Shailene Woodley) has grown up in Abnegation her whole life, where she serves other, and doesn't feel like she belongs. During her faction aptitude test she finds out she has attributes for several of the factions, meaning she is Divergent.

It's a fight to live as a Divergent because Divergents are extremely rare and are considered dangerous because they don't form to just one of the factions. Divergent's who are found out by the government get murdered.

The film follows her journey as she encounters love with a fellow divergent; Four (Theo James), battles for her place in Dauntless, and fights to live life as a divergent.

Tris looks like a quiet, sweet, and innocent girl you would find reading in the corner of the library. However, Woodley does a great job showing us Tris’s bad-ass side; showing us her bravery, charisma, humor, and dedication to Dauntless. Giving us multiple moments that leaves you rooting for her.

Woodley shatters her "Secret Life of The American Teenager" past. Breaking away from the fresh faced teen mom personae I had of her prior to watching "Divergent".

The one thing Woodley lacks is facial expressions. In some scenes she seems disconnected from what is going on in the scene, which can be a bit of a distraction at times. Otherwise, Woodley does a amazing job bring the character of Tris to life.

The film has been compared to “The Hunger Games” franchise because of the multiple similarities between the two films. Both films feature a strong female lead, a young adult audience, a highly successful book series, and a massive following.

The second film in the “Divergent” series, “Insurgent”, has already been announced, and is scheduled to be released in theaters on March 20, 2015.

Fans of the book series applaud the film for staying consistent with the books. “They captured the general mood of the story quite well, and I was surprised at how well they stayed true to the book,” said first-year LBCC student Loui Carnley. First-year LBCC student Meghan Hobson said, “I thought it remained relatively true to the book, so I personally enjoyed it.”

The film has received mixed reviews. Some reviewers rave about the acting quality, while other rant about the let down of the film.

"Although “Divergent” has understandably attracted a great readership, as did its predecessor, “The Hunger Games” series, this new “young adult” tale has a much weaker presence on the big screen," said Quad-City Times reporter, Linda Cook.

"But the performances—namely from stars Shailene Woodley and Theo James and Kate Winslet in a juicy supporting role—always make the movie watchable and often quite engaging," said Christy Lemire, a movie reviewer for RogerEbert.com.

I agree with Lemire, the acting is incredible and director Neil Burger does an amazing job with action packed scenes, perfect film score, and overall great cinematography.

“Divergent” is 140 minutes of heart pumping, non-stop action, that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

-- At A Glance --
"Divegent" - Currently In Theaters
Running time: 140 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Neil Burger (Limitless, The Illusionist)
Starring: Shailene Woodley (Secret Life of The American Teenager)
              Theo James (Underworld: Awakening)
              Kate Winslet (Titanic)
Based on the Series of Books by Veronica Roth
Overall: 4/5 Stars

The Table Table in Madrone Hall

Photo Credit: Concrete Counter top Institute

Hidden between the walls of Madrone Hall's courtyard lies a special table. This is no ordinary picnic table, this is a table of elements, the periodic table of elements that is. Known to most as the "Table Table" this picnic table has the periodic table of elements embedded in it.

The Periodic Table of Elements is an arrangement of chemical elements. The table is organized on the basis of their atomic numbers, electron configurations, and recurring chemical properties. The elements are presented in order of increasing atomic number.

The table project began in 2009 when Madrone Hall was being built. Physics professor, Greg Mulder,was in charge of the making of the table.

The table is made of four concrete layers and it took nearly a year to make. It was made by Preben Petersen of Concrete Lifestyle in San Jose, Calif.

Photo Credit: Concrete Counter top Institute

The cost of the table was $4,000. "That might sound like a lot for a table, but a regular table of this capacity would be $2,000, so another $2,000 was worth it," said Mulder.

"[The Table] combines science and art," said Mulder. "The table is perfect viewing from the second floor, which is where chemistry classes are mostly taught."

"I honestly didn't know [LBCC] had a actual periodic table table," said first-year student Christine Turner.
"Its very interesting, and unique."

Photo Credit: Justin Williams

The table is surrounded by native plants and sits on a leaf-shaped concrete slab. Outlined around the slab is cement blocks from the previous science building. "We recycled a lot for this area," said Mulder.

Mulder also has three small prototype stools, that sit in his office, that were made to see how they could make the table.

The table, which has diminished in appeal due to weather and wear and tear,serves as a great symbol of Chemistry in Madrone Hall.

-- At A Glance --
Where: Madrone Hall Courtyard
What: Picnic Table with Periodic Tables of Elements
Cost: $4,000
Fun Fact: Currently, scientists know of 118 different elements.

Feature Story: The Chemistry Table

My first feature story is about a small picnic table that is hidden between the wings of Madrone Hall, on this picnic table is the periodic table of elements.

The Chemistry Table, represents a staple of the Chemistry department and fits perfectly in the hall that almost exclusively has science related courses taught in it.

Sources: Chemistry Teacher: TBD
              Chemistry Student or Regular Student: TBD


If you know anyone I should contact, please comment below. Thank You.

7 Steps To Surviving Finals

With finals around the corner, students are starting to wondering what they can do to survive finals week

When asked how he studies for finals, first-year student; Taylor Plagmann said, “I cram...a lot.”

"One way I study for finals is by forming study groups. If six or so of us from the same class can meet together , then we can spend some quality time spent bouncing questions off each other, allowing for a fuller comprehension of the topic at hand, and for a fun time spent learning with friends," said first-year student, Candra Hahn.

Seven Steps to Surviving Finals:

1. Get Organized: Before you begin to study for you classes, you must get organized. Figure out what finals are when and then prioritize your time.

2. Study: The best way to pass your finals is to study for them. Use flashcards, review your notes and past tests, and get a friend to help you study.

3. Sleep: Studies have proven we need seven and a half to five hours of sleep every night in order to function at our highest.

4. Be Comfortable: When you are studying for your final, find a place that is quite and comfortable. Its not a good idea to study in a loud environment.

5. Take Breaks: Its a good idea to stop every once in awhile and take a break, watch a TV show or listen to music. Its not a good idea to spend hours “Binge Studying”.

6. Eat Breakfast: Studies have shown eating breakfast improves attention and short-term memory, and Students who eat breakfast do better on test than those who don’t.

7. Take Away Distractions: Turn the iPhone off, Power down your TV, pause the music. Take all your distractions away and focus on studying.

(7 Steps inspired by articles published on DoSomething.org & HuffingtonPost.com)

LBCC also offers students the opportunity to attend, the weekend before finals, a “Study Jam” sponsored by the SLC. At Study Jam students have a place to study, and the all the learning center resources are open and available to them. Snacks, drinks, and pizza are also provided.

Donna Trask: Indian School Teacher to College Instructor

Photo Credit: Instructor Website

With a basket of candies and chocolates by her side, Writing 121 and Writing 122 teacher, Donna Trask offers her students words of wisdom on a recent paper they wrote. Sitting each student down for a one on one conversation. Each word of advice is said with a upbeat attitude and smile from her that leaves your wanting to improve your paper.

Donna Trask, high school English teacher, a mom, and now a college writing instructor.

Trask has been teaching at LBCC since 2008. Teaching Writing 121, Writing 122, and occasionally Writing 115.

She began her teaching career began in 1972 where she taught at Roseburg High. Mrs. Trask, or as she tells her students to call her; Mrs. T, also taught at Chemawa Indian School in Salem for seven years where she was the senior English teacher.

“I found, that Native American students were a lot brighter than people gave them credit for. They told me for example that I shouldn't try to teach Shakespeare to them, they wouldn't understand Hamlet and Macbeth. [I found] they understood Hamlet just fine, they had a challenge with Macbeth, because they didn't understand his disloyalty,” said Trask.

“It was the first time in my life I'd been a minority, [and] it was a real growing experience,” said Trask.

Trask grew up in Corvallis, Oregon, where she attended Oregon State University and earned her B.A. in English, and her M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies (Education, English and Psychology) from Western Oregon.

When asked about her favorite part of teaching, Trask said, “Watching the light go on in people's eyes when suddenly understand something. For me that is the other half of the paycheck.”

In her spare time Trask enjoys playing with her grandchildren; Brennan,who is three and Vivian Grace, who is four months old.

First-year student Chasmin Bradford said, “I really like [Mrs. T], I feel like she actually takes the time out to teach us, and that's her priority.”

Second-year student Traver Danielson said, “I [have] rather enjoyed [Mrs. T], she is entertaining. She is passionate about her students and about the subject she is teaching.”

“Regarding Teaching, I don't see myself ever stopping. Because, when you get paid to do what you love, you don't have a job, you have a joy; and I definitely have a joy here,” said Trask.

At a Glance:

Donna Trask
Job: Writing 121, and Writing 122 Instructor

Years at LBCC: Seven

Education: Oregon State University and Western Oregon University
Hobbies/Interests: Playing with her grandchildren

Hometown: Corvallis, Oregon

LBCC College Transfer Days

College Transfer Days offered a ton of information, yet students walked right by...

The sound of footsteps walking by filled Takena Hall last Wednesday where over 20 college representatives from around the state came to Linn-Benton Community College to offer students information about transferring to a four-year college or university.

College Transfer Days allowed current students to ask colleges from around Oregon about their transfer programs and what to do to start the transferring process.

Colleges such as Pacific University, University of Oregon, National American University, Pacific Northwest College of Art, University of Phoenix, Marylhurst University, Western Oregon University, Portland State University, University of Portland, Southern Oregon University, Oregon State University-Cascades, Oregon State University, Northwest Christian University, Linfield College, The Art Institute of Portland, The international Culinary School, Corban University, The College of Idaho, Concordia University Portland, Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, Eastern Oregon University, University of Western States, Oregon Tech, attended the free event for students.

Transferring to a four-year university is,“Very easy, especially if you use an Oregon Transfer Degree. It [makes for an] easy flow,” said Eastern Oregon University representative Terry Walters.

Transfer students make up well over half of Eastern Oregon University's student population according to Walters.

"[I] recommended community college cause it such a good way to prepare students. Also with the Oregon Transfer degree, the general education is a third of your degree, [its a great way] to start on your degree before you transfer," said Walters.

“If a student already has a major in mind that they are interested in, start looking at different schools that offer that major, and see what their requirements are to get in their school so you can properly prepare a year of community college,”said Kai Bautista, Oregon Tech representative about students looking to transfer to a four-year university.

“I always recommend transfer students to look at the curriculum maps from different schools, that way you can see that the classes you're taking at your community college will transfer easily into the program, rather than taking a bunch of classes that don't really count toward the major you’re going into,” said Bautista.

Walters agrees saying “Connect with an Advisor, and [if] you don't know what you want to do, clarify your educational and professional goals. That way you are not taking any classes you don't need and not paying money you don’t need to pay.”

LBCC freshman Melissa Meyhoff said about Transfer Days,”There's a lot of colleges to pick from.”

Meyhoff was one of the only students seen talking to college representatives. Takena hall was rather busy but students just walked right past the booths, full of information.

-At A Glance-
College Transfer Days
Takena Hall
Wednesday Feb. 5th 10am-1pm