I was born and raised in rural South Carolina. I now live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. I teach computer basics for the Self-Access Language School at Isothermal Community College, Polk County Campus, in Columbus, NC.

We began Computer Basics for ESL in February 2000.From the beginning I visualized a web site created by the students. I would need to learn HTML in order to teach the students. Things developed a little sooner than I had thought. We were fortunate enough to acquire an instructor who already knew HTML, Sandy Brock. So in just 18 months the students have come from no computer skills to designing their own web pages. And I'm learning HTML along with them.

The students who have remained in the program from the beginning now have keyboarding skills, can save files, and work with graphics--all in English.

Since this is a "One-Room Schoolhouse" we generally have one or two new ones working at the basics while the advanced students work on the web page. As skills improve, the students will be adding information helpful to others who are learning English as a second language. The students want to incorporate news from our school and community. We've included e-mail links so people from around the world can contact us about our school.

Thanks for visiting us.

Carolyn Michel

cmichel@alltel.net