Type Of Business:
1) College 2) Adult school
Marketing Area:
Napa Valley, CA; Solano, CA; Sonoma, CA
Expertise:
Basic adult education; Language; Linguistics; Politics; History; Poetry; Literature; Critical thinking; Civil rights
Major Product/SVS:
1) Higher education 2) Adult education
Hobbies/Sports:
Driving her MGs; Photography; Reading; Writing; Traveling
Education Degrees:
JD, New College of California School of Law, San Francisco (1984); Master of Arts in Spanish, San Francisco State University (1968); Associate of Arts in Romance Languages, Napa Colleges (1966); Bachelor of Art in Spanish and French, Minors in Latin American History and Linguistics, San Francisco State University; Diploma, Napa High School (1964)
Affiliations Awards:
Migrant Education Program; Education Unit, National Society for Histotechnology; Indigenous Language Institute; Commission on the Status of Women; Legal Aid Society
State/Country of Origin:
CA/USA
Date of Distinction:
11/9/2009
Work History:
Legal Aide, Napa County Council for Economic Opportunity; Librarian; House Painter; Maintenance Worker; Teacher; Law Librarian; Auto Mechanic; House Mover
What do you feel separates you from the rest of the professionals in your industry?:
Ms. Kowalkowska's ability to always be honest with her students, acknowledge the individual, and challenge them are what separates her from her peers. She respects their opinions and believes that all participation returns a great investment.
What has been the most outstanding thing you have done thus far in your career?:
Ms. Kowalkowska's greatest career achievements are teaching algebra and geometry in Spanish, utilizing her knowledge of the brain to enhance learning, and seeing her method changes a stroke victim’s mobility. She also values getting through to students who have been labeled learning disabled, mentally challenged and socially inept. She enjoys teaching the unreachable because she believes in change and that everyone can learn no matter what. In the education field, one needs to adapt to the environment of its students.
How would you like to be remembered by your peers?:
Ms. Kowalkowska hopes to be remembered as an open-minded and fair person.
If you could solve one problem in the world today, what would it be?:
If she could solve one problem in the world today, Ms. Kowalkowska would eliminate ignorance.
If you could have lunch with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?:
Ms. Kowalkowska would like to have lunch with Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, because he truly demonstrated nonviolence, and with Nobel Prize winner Rigoberta Menchu.
Expanded Biography:
Ms. Kowalkowska is considered an expert in languages, with an emphasis on the Romance languages; linguistics; education; Latin American history with an emphasis on Central America; Latin American literature with an emphasis on poetry; teaching methods for hard-to-reach learners; brain health and maintenance; cultural philosophy; all subjects required to obtain a GED; self-healing; alternative healing; and feminist and political women's literature. Now on the brink of retirement, she is interested in guest lecturing or teaching guest seminars. However, it is always important to her to remain a student of life. Ms. Kowalkowska believes that everyone can learn from individualized instruction that is interesting and engaging. She encourages conversations about facts, ideas, and opinions in a supporting and challenging environment, where everyone is encouraged to push their limits. She teaches quantum physics as it is applied to education. She also has knowledge of the human brain and intelligence. She is currently writing books and a volume about poetry. Ms. Kowalkowska's teaching experience has been an invaluable opportunity in life. She lived in a small town in Mexico and learned to speak Spanish, while staying with families in exchange for her teaching, health care, and other related services that she offered. This changed her life and helped her to make political inroads, as she served as an activist for the next 35 years for the Spanish-speaking community. She states that traveling is one of the best educations outside of the classroom, and doing what you enjoy helps you live a longer and happier life - not only doing what you want, but doing it now and not waiting until the kids are out of the house. Ms. Kowalkowska also went to India and completed her education in eclecticism. She was exposed to a country that was very impoverished with a population of one billion people. She was told, and knew that when she went to India, it would change her life forever.
Throughout the duration of your career, what was the one highlight that stood out the most?:
The most gratifying aspect of her career is seeing students understand the concept of what is being taught.
Number Of Years In Profession:
42
Number Of Years In Current Position:
17
What Does He/She Attribute Success To:
She attributes her success to her hard work and determination, and the support she received from her parents.
Position Responsibilities and Duties:
Teaching college classes and basic adult education; Working off-site at the Napa State Hospital for forensic clients; Coordinating lesson plans; Preparing materials; Counseling; Overseeing administrative duties
Education Certifications:
Title I Affirmative Action Officer; Certification in Brain Integration; Certification in ESL; Certification in Early Childhood Education
Awards/Honors:
Award for Teaching Excellence in Migrant and Bilingual Education, Head Start Montessori; Trainee, Bal-A-Vis-X, Inc.