While I have only worked at Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution for 9 months, I have been teaching for over 15 years. I began teaching at the college level during graduate school and found a passion for working with this demographic. Since graduating, I’ve taught as an English adjunct at three different colleges and have thoroughly enjoyed helping college students reach their goals and potential. After moving to Pendleton, Oregon, over ten years ago, I thought it would be a unique and valuable opportunity to teach inside the same correctional institution where my husband is an officer. With my children growing older, I finally made that change in my career and have greatly enjoyed my time inside the institution working with AICs and doing my part to help them better their lives through education.

As a budding New Directions instructor, I can firmly attest to the value of this program and how it improves the lives of the AICs blessed to participate. For the past seven weeks, I have taught Writing 122 with a group of six AICs at EOCI, and I have been amazed by how dedicated and self-motivated these students are. They came into Writing 122 better prepared than most of my students on the outside, showing the quality education they’ve received through New Directions. These students are also more dedicated than most of my other students, demonstrating how they thirst for knowledge and their gratitude for the chance to broaden their experience and knowledge. I hope to see New Directions continue for many years to come, as the value it holds for these AICs seeking a college education cannot be overstated. The funds provided to these students can change not only their thinking and knowledge, it can change their lives for the better in a way no other programming can.

Patty Rasmussen

ABSD Instructor

Treasure Valley Community College

at Eastern Oregon Correction Institution