Nicole McFarland (right) with the DMACC Center in Perry

An adjunct instructor at the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) VanKirk Career Academy in Perry is developing a course that will help people gain United States citizenship.

Nicole McFarland, who by day teaches middle school language arts in the Ankeny School District, has spent the last two-and-a-half years teaching an adult English Language Learner class at the DMACC campus in Perry. Her students include immigrants from countries in South and Central America, Asia, and Africa. Prior to this school year, McFarland graduated from the DMACC Adjunct Professional Growth program. Through the experience of going through the course and learning new skills for adult education, as well as making connections in the DMACC system, she has decided to work on a course for her ELL students who are looking to become U.S. citizens.

The curriculum is still in the works, but the class is expected to be held four days a week for a total of five hours and will focus on history, civics, and mock interviews, all crucial elements to obtaining permanent U.S. citizenship. For more information on the citizenship class or the ELL classes taught at the Perry DMACC Center, reach out to McFarland by phone at 515-428-8100 or by email at npmcfarland@dmacc.edu.