Dental Assisting Gayle Woodcock Dental Assisting Program Director

from October 2018 Gallup Journey Magazine

by Gallup Journey

Event Calendar

DENTAL ASSISTING

By Gayle Woodcock Dental Assisting Program Director

The University of New Mexico Gallup offers a one-year certificate program in dental assisting. This program is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation (one of only five programs in New Mexico). The full-time program begins every August and goes until the following August. The fall and spring semesters are classwork and labs. The summers are full-time internships in local, private dental offices and IHS Clinics.

Upon completion of the full-time oneyear program, the student is eligible to take the DANB (Dental Assisting National Board) and become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), which is recognized nationally.

In January (spring semester), we are starting a Pilot Program for those unable to dedicate full-time study. We will be offering one or two classes in the evening and/or Saturday, so those that must work full-time can still take classes on a slower schedule. This program will also allow students to see if they are really interested in a career change. Individuals who are currently working in dental offices and would like to brush up on academics to take the DANB will also be welcome in the Pilot Program.

With a certificate in dental assisting, students can find ways to utilize both communication and technical skills in flexible and interesting work environments. Our program trains dental assistants for work that involves direct patient care, lab duties, and general office tasks. Our graduates work chair-side with dentists as part of a dental care team to make patients comfortable.

Anyone interested in either of these programs, please make an appointment with Gayle Woodcock, Dental Assisting Program Director: gwoodcock@unm.edu or 505-8637515.

All photos provided by John Van’t Land

English Language Arts 1 Year Change In Percent Proficient Among 10 Largest Districts

6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Albuqurque Public Schools Farmington Municipal Schools Gadsden Independe nt Schools

Gallup McKinley County Schools

Hobbs Municipal Schools Las Cruces Public Schools Los Lunas Public Schools

Rio Ranco Rio Rancho Publis Public Schools Schools

Roswell Independe nt Schools

Santa Fe Public Schools Growth (2017 to 2018) 3.4 3.3 3.3 5.6 1.8 1.4 1.6 0.8 2.8 0.7

English Language Arts 2 Year Change In Percent Proficient Among 10 Largest Districts

9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Albuqurque Public Schools Farmington Municipal Schools Gadsden Independe nt Schools

Gallup McKinley County Schools

Hobbs Municipal Schools Las Cruces Public Schools Los Lunas Public Schools

Rio Ranco Rio Rancho Publis Public Schools Schools

Roswell Independe nt Schools

Santa Fe Public Schools Growth (2016 to 2018) 2.3 6.3 6.5 7.9 4 2.8 1.1 2.5 4.6 3.3

At GMCS…

Education Matters!!!

GMCS

SHEILA SILVA Woman Marine

By Sandra McKinney

The aim of every woman is to be truly integrated into the Corps. She is able and willing to undertake any assignment consonant with Marine Corps needs, and is proudest of all that she has no nickname. She is a “Marine.” ~Katherine Amelia Towle

She has a tough demeanor, the training of a Marine, the body of a weight-lifter, and a heart of gold! Sheila Silva will surprise you when you start talking with her. I will admit, I was originally intimidated by this strong woman; but the longer I talked with her, the more I liked her and developed a great respect for all she has accomplished.

Sheila Silva was born at GIMC in Gallup in 1965 to Ruth and Ralph Silva, Sr. Sheila didn’t start out as a “tough girl.” She loved school and graduated 10th in her class and was known for her intelligence, and also for her athleticism and love of sports. After high school, Sheila went to Alamosa, Colorado, for college, but only lasted two months there. She just felt that it was not a good fit. Or maybe it was because she thought she was in love and proceeded to Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI) in Albuquerque with her young man.

“My mother was not at all happy about this and encouraged me to break up with him,”

Silva’s mural on the Art123 building in Downtown Gallup

Sheila explains. “I had always been interested in being a police officer and decided to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test, thinking this would be a good option toward police work.” She was accepted into the United States Marine Corps. Sheila smiles with pride as she states, “On May 25, 1985, I entered a whole new world of Marine boot camp at Parris Island in South Carolina.”

“I didn’t find the training particularly difficult, as I had grown up as an athlete. I liked the training and the discipline; but I cannot say that I liked the attitude of some of the men,” she explains. “While at boot camp, we were trained on weapons – firing, dismantling, cleaning, care, and respect – but the women never participated in the Marine Corps Qualification Testing.”

After boot camp at Parris Island, Sheila was stationed at Camp Johnson in North Carolina. There she was placed in the Motor Transport Maintenance Instructional Company. She was trained on all aspects of Jeeps as a mechanic, driving and repairing them. She also worked on semi-trucks and could break down the very large tires. “I really got into the mechanics work, but I did have one problem – I couldn’t stand the smell of the grease,” she laughs. During her time at Camp Johnson, Sheila Silva was promoted to the rank of Corporal.

With that promotion came deployment to Okinawa, Japan, with the 1st Force Service Support Group Motor Transport Maintenance. “I enjoyed the culture in Japan. I was only to be stationed there for one year, but I requested a second year, and even

Corporal Silva Sheila, from the back, showing off the muscles

learned to speak some Japanese. I was there from ’86 to ’88.” This was the beginning of integrating with the men of the Marines. There was a male Staff Sargent who took an unwanted shine to Silva and blatantly made it known to her that he thought it was part of her duty to have sex with him. “I adamantly refused and was punished for that refusal,” she shakes her head. “As punishment for my refusal, I was ordered to clean the bathrooms with a toothbrush, to which I complied without complaint.” Not all the men were looking to abuse their rank over the women; the Commanding Officer found her in the bathroom on her knees cleaning with the toothbrush and demanded to know what was going on. Shelia explains, “I told him I was being punished by the Staff Sargent. My CO relieved me of the toothbrush, and that Staff Sargent never spoke to me again,” Silva states with a triumphant grin.

In 1989, Silva would be stationed at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County, Southern California, with the 1st Division Motor Transport. “That same CO, who was now a Colonel, made you do things you thought you could never do,” Silva states. “He was training us - our minds and our bodies - to succeed beyond our own expectations. He had us push vehicles in neutral up a hill; he had us run mile upon mile; he demanded every last ounce of our energy. It was a very rewarding time,” states Silva proudly.

Camp Pendleton is where Silva became acquainted with Supply Management in the Motor Transport division. After the 1st Marine Corps division had to reenlist, she went to the Marine Corps Exchange (PX). She was transferred to the Edson Range PX. “This is when I just happened to marry a fellow Marine in September 1990, and I was also promoted to Sargent. I outranked my husband,” Shelia laughs. “We had only been married a couple of weeks when I got the call to go to Saudi Arabia. I was one of the first women to go in-country.” Her husband stayed in the States and got out of the Marines.

“All that physical training at Camp Pendleton probably saved me there in Saudi,” Silva explains. “The temperature outside was scorching at 125°, and the temperature in the only air-conditioned building where I worked was always cranked as low as possible. I ended up with pneumonia in the desert,” Silva frowns.

After her recovery, she was sent to a stadium with a tent and was told, “Here’s your store!” The Seabees then built a store out of plywood with an added shack for sleeping. Silva worked with a woman corporal at the store. They were really excited when they received a refrigerator for their little shack! After being there for about a month, other Marines came and took over. She was sent to a 15,000 sq. ft. warehouse which was actually a school cafeteria. “We worked 24/7 to serve those going to war. We would catch a nap in the warehouse whenever we could – which wasn’t often,” Sheila exclaims. “There were missiles constantly overhead. One went right over us and hit the Army warehouse.”

“We also had a Mobile PX – a Duce and Half-filled to the brim, and we sold the goods at the front lines. It was pretty intense as there were always snipers out. On a day that I just happened to not go to the front, one of my friends was killed and another one injured. That hurt really bad,” Silva states sadly.

“I was recommended for a Meritorious Promotion to Staff Sargent, but I didn’t get it. That promotion was given to a man who was leaving the Marines.” Silva states with anger, “You can bet that I didn’t think that was right!”

After being in Saudi for six months, Sheila returned to Camp Pendleton and back to her husband and became pregnant. “I was then transferred to Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Arizona, where I gave birth to my first daughter. When she was one year old, and I was pregnant with my second daughter, I left the Marines in September of 1992,” states Sheila. There was a Marine attitude of “If we thought you needed a child, we would have issued you a child.” She figured out that the Marines was not the place to raise her children.

Silva returned to Gallup and focused on improving her life and raising her daughters. She continued in a “man’s world.” There were men who tried to sabotage her work, but Silva was determined to be successful in her job. She quietly continues that same work today.

Sheila Silva is now 53, divorced, and has raised three daughters mostly on her own. One of her daughters has followed the military footsteps and serves in the United States Navy; the youngest daughter is in college at Eastern New Mexico University. Her third daughter is in Gallup and has two children. This is where Sheila’s “heart of gold” shines brightly, as her granddaughter has Cystic Fibrosis and her grandson is Autistic. Silva sports numerous tattoos with one being the obligatory Marine Corps symbol, but the two most evident are on her inside forearms in honor of her grandchildren; one for her grandson says “Autism,” and the other forearm shows “Cystic Fibrosis” for her granddaughter.

Sheila still enjoys sports and plays softball, plus she participates in the Senior Olympics. She has served with the local Search and Rescue (SAR). She is an active member of the Gallup Veterans Helping Veterans and participates with the Women Veterans and Family Support Group. Silva is one of our local veterans who was honored with her portrait being painted by artist Greg Ballenger, which is on display at the west wall of the Art123 building at Second Street and Coal Avenue.

Silva is proud of her service in the U.S. Marines, but with that pride comes the memories of serving at the front during Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and also the challenges of serving along men who did not treat her as an equal. She suffers from PostTraumatic Stress but lives by the motto to “Absorb what is useful. Discard what is not. Add what is uniquely your own.” You will see this motto with her portrait in Downtown Gallup.

Thank you, Sheila Silva, for your service, your sacrifices, and your bravery. You are truly a hero!

Sheila Silva at the VHV Post

On October 20, 2018 from 11:00am to 4:00pm, tattoo artists and studios from the greater Albuquerque area will be participating in the 4th Annual “Show Your Paws with Ink” fundraising event benefitting Paws and Stripes. Participating tattoo artists and studios have created eight to ten “signature” pieces of tattoo flash art for people to choose from based on the mission of Paws and Stripes. Each piece of art is $45.00, and for each tattoo, $20.00 will be donated to Paws and Stripes and the balance to the artist for his/her work.

Paws and Stripes is a non-profit based out of Albuquerque that is recognized nationally for their work. The organization chooses and pairs rescued shelter dogs with veterans that have been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and/ or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and trains them to become service dogs at no cost to the veteran. Since 2010, Paws and Stripes has graduated 87 different teams of veterans and service dogs and placed over 130 shelter dogs in their forever homes.