November 2024

Join the Community College of Vermont (CCV) for a Virtual Information Night on Wednesday, November 13, at 5:30 p.m. This session will provide an overview of CCV's programs, admissions process, and support services. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions and explore how CCV can support your student's educational goals.

This week, BTC Homeland Security & Criminal Justice students put their surveillance skills to the test by practicing techniques for gathering evidence through close observation. Students experimented with disguises—do you think they'd pass the test of former CIA Chief of Disguise, Jonna Mendez?

We are thrilled to announce that Jason Raymond, who teaches the Digital Media Lab program, has been named BTC's Outstanding Educator of the Year. The College of Education and Social Services (CESS) at UVM, along with Vermont supervisory unions and school districts, the Vermont Agency of Education, and the Vermont NEA, have been recognizing outstanding educators for the past 44 years. This award is decided through a faculty nomination process, and is intended to recognize a teacher who goes above and beyond for their students, implementing thoughtful, engaging and innovative approaches to learning.

As soon as you walk into the DML program space, it's clear that Jason's students feel at home here. There are dozens of different projects going on: students setting up photo shoots, creating films and music videos, making and recording music, working on their photo and audio editing skills, and so much more. In the middle of it all is Jason, laughing with students, being peppered with questions and helping brainstorm new ideas and solutions for all of the different projects. By not adhering to a traditional teaching formula, Jason is able to customize learning experiences to meet individual student interest areas and identities. Through all of his interactions, it is clear that Jason connects with and respects his students, both as individuals and as evolving artists.

The learning in DML extends far beyond the confines of the classroom and lab spaces, expanding out into various areas of the region including music studios, filming locations, and partnerships with middle schools, where Mr. Raymond’s students mentor younger aspiring artists. He also hosts digital media clubs in the community with the Association for Africans Living in Vermont. Jason’s students have been profiled many times in Seven Days music section, and his students can be found working with professional producers and marketing firms. Recently, his students ran social media campaigns, performed, and ran operations for Burlington’s Juneteenth celebration.

Through all of his work, it is clear that Jason is committed to having a diverse student body where all students feel like they belong. We are impressed and grateful for all that Jason does in his program and beyond, and we are thrilled to see him receive recognition for his work. Jason received this award at the UVM Vermont Outstanding Educators' Award Ceremony on Thursday, November 7th.

This October the Post-Secondary students learned about avionics and landing gear systems. Among other skills, the students performed a gear swing on the Baron to ensure it is working correctly. While they were in there, they discovered a landing gear door was out of adjustment. After readjustment, everything worked perfectly.

The Automotive Science & Technology Program will be holding its Program Advisory Meeting on November 6th. This is a great opportunity for industry professionals, educators, and community members to tune up our program with fresh insights and guidance. This meeting will drive discussions that keep our students’ success in top gear!

The Senior Aviation & Aerospace Technology class has been focused on aircraft weight and balance this month. They learned how to properly weigh several different aircraft using multiple types of scales and then they used this information to calculate the center of gravity of each aircraft. Students had to then compare this information to paperwork for the aircraft being weighed and make sure the weight and CG were within specification.

Our DEF seniors are collaborating with Longhouse Builders of Shelburne, VT, to create a rain screen clip system designed for shiplap siding in a housing project at Bread and Butter Farm. This innovative product has the potential for mass production and could be applied to multiple housing projects. To further enrich their experience, the morning class recently visited Fab-Tech on October 4 and has upcoming visits to Hazelett on November 8, GlobalFoundries on November 19, and BETA Technologies on December 11.

On Saturday, October 19 students from Design & Illustration and Digital Media Lab attended National Portfolio Day in Boston. The student participation for this field trip was our largest group yet, with 43 students meeting with admissions representatives from approximately 50 schools to have their portfolios reviewed and/or begin the college search process. Students received feedback on individual works and portfolios in general, with some students being considered for merit scholarships automatically.

Over the past month, year one students in the HS/CJ program have been learning about the history of drugs. Their learning culminated in their participation in the Red Ribbon Campaign. This project involved coordinating a drug prevention education event at a middle school of their choice. Students worked together to design interactive boards and hands-on activities to help students learn about the danger of drugs. Through this work, they’ve been learning important skills such as group work and collaboration as well as the importance of educating our youth about the dangers of drugs. The students were excited to see their hard work come to life and were looking forward to sharing their final products. We even enlisted the help of other BTC students to help us prepare for some of our events.

Over the next three weeks, IHC students will tour the University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMMC), gaining valuable insights into various healthcare environments. Additionally, we're thrilled to welcome Physical Therapist Sarah Rogers-Spaulding from UVMMC, who will train students on assisting patients through the physical rehabilitation process—a fantastic opportunity to learn directly from professionals in the field.

Throughout October, Burlington Technical Center students engaged in a range of exciting work-based learning experiences across various programs:

• Automotive: VIP Tire Services visited our automotive students to discuss co-op opportunities, connecting them with practical pathways in the industry.
• Aviation: Aviation students toured Heritage Aviation to explore the company’s operations and learn about potential career opportunities.
• Design, Engineering, and Fabrication (DEF): In celebration of National Manufacturing Day, DEF students visited Fab-Tech to gain insights into the design and fabrication processes.
• Education Training and Leadership (ETL): ETL students welcomed a guest speaker who led activities and discussions on child brain development, enhancing their understanding of early childhood education.
• Homeland Security and Criminal Justice (HSCJ): HSCJ students toured the Burlington Police Department and had the unique opportunity to speak with an FBI agent about his role and responsibilities.
• Intro to Health Care (IHC): A guest speaker presented to IHC students on diabetes, discussing its impact on the body and healthcare management.

These hands-on experiences provided BTC students with invaluable insights into various fields, connecting classroom learning with real-world applications!

We’re excited to highlight Amar Dzinic for his incredible growth, kindness, and teamwork. Amar’s engagement and generosity have earned high praise from clinical providers, and in the classroom, he effortlessly collaborates with everyone on any project. As the only male in a class of 19 students, Amar brings a unique dynamic to the group. We’re so proud of his achievements and can’t wait to see what he accomplishes next!

This month, we’re also thrilled to spotlight Ahmed Chabi for his curiosity and engagement in the Automotive Science & Technology Program. Ahmed consistently shows a strong determination to learn and improve, and his work truly reflects this commitment. We’re proud of his achievements and can’t wait to see what he accomplishes next!

Current Role: Air Traffic Controller, United States Air Force

Location: McChord AFB, Washington

Christian Surdak, a 2023 BTC Aviation graduate, proudly serves as an Air Traffic Controller with the U.S. Air Force, taking on one of aviation’s most challenging roles. Passing the rigorous ATC training with a high attrition rate has been a source of pride for Christian. Each day, he manages various aircraft types alongside a skilled team and finds the role exciting and rewarding.

Although he opted not to pursue an A&P Mechanics certification, Christian credits BTC’s Aviation and Aerospace Mechanics program with giving him a solid foundation. Knowledge from BTC allowed him to excel in ATC school, especially with concepts like wake turbulence, hydrazine regulations, and aircraft characteristics. BTC confirmed his passion for aviation, even without the A&P path.

Advice for Students: “Even if you decide against getting your A&P, BTC prepares you for many fields. Put effort into the class—don’t just do the bare minimum like I did. That’s my biggest regret.”

(Note: Due to the sensitive nature of his work, Christian cannot share work-related photos, but he provided an image from his ATC school graduation.)

We are pleased to spotlight Matthew Engels this month. Mr. Engels, who is also part of the Homeland Security/Criminal Justice Program Advisory Board, has been a valuable partner. Last year, Mr. Engels facilitated specialized training for our students and coordinated a field trip to the Northwest Correctional Facility where students learned about career paths in corrections. Mr. Engels has made quite an impact with our students with one of our students calling him "the best speaker we've ever had". We appreciate his support and look forward to continuing our continued partnership!

This year, BSD and neighboring districts have updated the school calendar to recognize the cultural and religious diversity in our schools and community. These holidays will now be observed as common days off during the academic year:

• Yom Kippur (October 11)
• Diwali (November 1)
• Eid (March 31)

For more information, see the 24-25 BSD Holy Days Calendar.

To learn more about Diwali, explore these resources:

• CNN Travel Article on Diwali
• National Geographic Video on Diwali