Joan Bernard, Minnesota 2017 Educator of the year, will lead the first ever Cook County technology boot camp at the Cook County Higher Education building in August. Joan will be assisted by David Blackburn, a recent CCHS graduate who is attending school for a computer science degree at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin. Photo courtesy of Lisa Bauer
Boreal Community Media, Cook County Higher Education and Cook County Schools ISD 166 Community Education have joined forces to create the first ever Student Technology Boot Camp in Cook County. The Technology Boot Camp will be held for five days (Aug. 5-9) at Cook County Higher Education. Up to 15 students grades 6 through 12 can enroll in the Boot Camp to gain hands-on skills and learn about careers in the fields of technology.
Fees for the Technology Camp will be $200 with financial assistance available through Cook County Higher Education’s workshop scholarship program.
“The Boreal board of directors is deeply committed to giving Cook County students an opportunity to learn and participate in the fields of technology,” said Boreal Community media executive director Lisa Bauer. “As we enter the second year of Boreal’s student technology internship program, we are pleased to build on this commitment with the Technology Boot Camp and are thrilled Joan Bernard has agreed to be the lead instructor.”
Named 2017 Minnesota Educator of the Year in 2017 by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, Joan Bernard currently teaches in the Computer Networking Department at Hennepin Technical College in the Twin Cities and holds several technology professional certifications. Joan earned a B.S. in mathematics and computer science and her master’s in education. She has over 24 years experience in the IT industry.
In 2018, the American Association of Community Colleges recognized Bernard with the Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty award. Joan is also the lead IT summer trainer for Genesys Works in St. Paul, a nonprofit organization providing pathways to career success for high school students in under-served communities through skills training, meaningful work experiences, and impactful relationships.
Assisting Bernard with the Technology Boot Camp will be David Blackburn, former Boreal and ISD 166 technology intern and graduate, who is now a computer science major at the University of Wisconsin- Madison. David will be sharing his technical work experiences with the boot camp participants.
“This will be a fun and interactive week for the students,” said Joan. “They will be engaged in both hands-on experience and heads-on learning. Each of the five days will focus on a main theme to allow students to explore the many pathways leading to rewarding IT careers.” Students participating in the technology camp will be learning topics including project management, computer networking, scripting and software development, and cyber security.
“Cook County Higher Education is delighted to be hosting this Technology Boot Camp,” said executive director Karen Blackburn. “As usual, our workshop scholarships are available for interested students. We want to make sure everyone has a chance to participate in this important learning opportunity, and we are happy to be able to remove financial barriers.”
Boreal Community Media board member and co-owner of Cascade Vacation Rentals Steve Surbaugh said, “As a parent of teenagers, I appreciate these are the formative times in their lives when interests can be turned into life-long career pursuits. The Technology Boot Camp will help create the spark which gives these students a real leg up in technology career development.” Cascade Vacation Rentals has generously donated lodging for Bernard during her stay in Cook County.
“The educators at Cook County ISD 166 are thrilled to help create this one-of-a-kind experience for our students interested in technology,” said Dr. William Crandall, superintendent of Cook County Schools, “We are proud that these dedicated community organizations have joined forces to create a unique and valuable learning experience for our students to augment their interest in the professional fields of technology.”
Parents interested in enrolling their students in the Technology Boot Camp can learn more by visiting the Cook County Higher Education website at www.northshorecampus.org. Enrollment will be open until all spots for the Technology Camp are filled.
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