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April 2024 Textbook Hero - Mary Purvis

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Name: Mary Purvis What are some of the classes you teach? General Physics and Astronomy How long have you been with CVTC? About 20 years How long have you been using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? 11 years for my Physics classes What is your favorite part of using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? Using an OER textbook allows me to have a stable curriculum for my course. The concepts taught in first semester Physics have not changed in the last 50 years. When I used a textbook from a publisher, the scope and sequence of the book, the content, and the problem sets changed every two to three years. I was always changing my lessons to match the publishers changed content. When I switched to an OER book, I got off the textbook merry-go-round. I could spend more time contextualizing the lessons for the programs I was working with. I could spend more time inventing labs and being creative. I wasn't wasting time constantly updating lessons because the book changed. Yes, it was more ...
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March 2024 Textbook Hero - Jen Feltes

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Name: Jen Feltes What are some of the classes you teach? Healthcare IT, Human Disease for Health Professionals, Health Quality Management, and Medical Terminology How long have you been with CVTC? 6 years, 3 years as full-time faculty and 3 years as adjunct How long have you been using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? 1 year What is your favorite part of using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? Ease of access for all students. We no longer need to wait for textbooks to arrive or until students can afford to purchase the textbook. Any estimated student cost savings from using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? In the fall of 2023, over $20,000, which does not include the savings for transcripted credit students in area high schools.
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February 2024 Textbook Hero - JR Smathers

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Name: JR Smathers What are some of the classes you teach? Photoshop Fundamentals, Typography Fundamentals, Motion Graphics, and Design Photography How long have you been with CVTC? 2 years How long have you been using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? Since the start! What is your favorite part of using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? A lot of the courses I teach focus on the Adobe software, which is updated frequently with a major update annually. With no-cost textbooks, students aren't forced to purchase something that'll be outdated in a few months. During my freshman year of college, I purchased a $100+ Adobe Photoshop CS4 textbook, only for the CS5 update to be released towards the end of my first semester. I'm happy that my students don't have to purchase materials that'll soon be outdated like I did! Any estimated student cost savings from using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? $60-100 per course Fun fact: In 2014, I was part of a team that made a docu...
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January 2024 Textbook Hero - Cathi LaFontaine

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Name: Cathi LaFontaine What are some of the classes you teach? Marketing Principles, Advertising, and Entrepreneurial Communications How long have you been with CVTC? 20 years How long have you been using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? For all my courses over the last four years. What is your favorite part of using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? It's easier to update the content that changes rapidly, so students will always get the most recent information in our industry. Any estimated student cost savings from using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? From $75 to $200. Fun fact: I love to play trivia and my team is going to league championship, so I know a lot of random stuff!
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December 2023 Textbook Hero - Rebecca Wicks

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Name: Rebecca Wicks What are some of the classes you teach? Nursing Fundamentals, Nursing Advanced Skills, and Nursing Clinicals (1st, 2nd and 4th semesters) How long have you been with CVTC? 3 years, since August of 2021. How long have you been using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? Since I started working at CVTC: 3 years. What is your favorite part of using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? Student accessibility. Having no-cost textbooks ensures that all students are included in the sharing of knowledge. Any estimated student cost savings from using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? Approximately $1,000 per year. Fun fact: I am originally from Maine!
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November 2023 Textbook Hero - Laurie Boettcher

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Name: Laurie Boettcher What are some of the classes you teach? Digital Marketing Strategy, Digital Campaigns, Digital Analytics, Digital Content Writing, Visual Design, and Personal Branding How long have you been with CVTC? 11 years How long have you been using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? 4 years What is your favorite part of using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? There are no barriers to my students getting the materials. ALL of my students have access to the materials to help them succeed. Any estimated student cost savings from using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? Depending on the course, it ranges from $20 to over $200 per student per course. If you've created a textbook, manuscript, etc., would you mind sharing a link to the text? Digital Marketing Campaigns Course Resource Packet Fun fact: I have been featured in the New York Times , USA Today , and Business Insider for my expertise on LinkedIn for college students.
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October 2023 Textbook Hero - Nicole Breed

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Name: Nicole Breed What are some of the classes you teach? Children's & Young Adult Literature, Information Literacy, Library & Web Technologies, Information Ethics, and School Library Principles How long have you been with CVTC? 4 years How long have you been using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? The entire time I've been here: 4 years. What is your favorite part of using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? The savings for students and that it encourages them to utilize the library and its resources. Any estimated student cost savings from using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? A couple hundred dollars a semester, at least. Fun fact: I played the librarian in a local production of Matilda: the Musical!
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