Meet Our Faculty
Experienced, Skilled, and Supportive Instruction
Education faculty at COCC are compassionate leaders in their field and in their communities. They provide students with hands-on learning opportunities, positive reinforcement, and knowledgeable advising. View the Social Science Directory for a full listing of faculty and staff.
Faculty Profiles
Program Director and Professor of Early Childhood Education
Amy has been at COCC since 2004, teaching a variety of courses related to early learning and development. Since her graduate training at the University of Colorado where she earned her doctorate in educational psychology, Amy's key areas of interest and expertise include the dynamic interaction between children's lives in and out of school settings, early literacy practices, early learning in STEM, and the interplay between technology, media, and youth development.
Amy is a local, state, and national presenter on topics related to early learning and developmentally appropriate practices, including early foundations for scientific and mathematics understandings, emergent literacy, social, emotional, and digital wellness, the power of play, and equity in education.
While her expertise in the ECE field means she is often sharing her insights in boardrooms and conference facilities, it is in the classroom where she feels most at home. "I love teaching courses such as, 'Purposeful Learning and Active Exploration through Play,' in which students see how our early interactions provide critical foundations for lifelong learning. Another favorite is, 'Introduction to Early Childhood Education,' where we explore the history and impact of our field. We learn about the individuals and communities who have contributed meaningfully to the vibrant field of early childhood education today."
Angie Cole
Associate Professor
Email: acole@cocc.edu
Equipped with extensive classroom experience and a deep commitment to students, Angie's enthusiasm for teaching and learning is infectious. "A highlight of teaching at COCC is getting to know my students," says Angie. "My goal is to inspire them to become high-quality teachers who will make a difference in the lives of their future students."
Angie completed her Master of Arts in Teaching from Lewis & Clark College and spent 10 years teaching elementary school in West Linn, Oregon, as well as various combinations of kindergarten through 3rd grade at Willamette Primary School. Angie received her endorsement in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) from Portland State University and worked as an ESOL teacher for students in K-5th grades.
In 2014, Angie joined the ECE/ED program at COCC and has taught the full spectrum of offered courses. She created and launched several courses, including "English Language Development," "Intro to Education Practicum & Seminar," "Outdoor Teacher Training," and "Youth Mentorship in Diverse Settings." Angie regularly teaches in a variety of formats, including online, remote, and hybrid classes. She enjoys teaching at all of COCC's campuses and has also taught on assignment at several local high schools including Bend, Summit, Sisters, and Crook County.
Outside of her teaching assignments, Angie is heavily involved in various College efforts. She has served as both a member and chair of the College Community Development and the Diversity Committee. She launched The Clothing Connection which allows students of COCC and OSU-Cascades to shop for up to 10 free clothing items each term. She also helped launch the first Earth Day Fashion Show at COCC and is excited for the event to continue to inspire the Central Oregon community to make sustainable clothing choices