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Monday, Dec. 01, 2008

Merced student becomes the teacher in county vocational program

Her name is Martha Rose but most people call her Marty, a nickname given to her by her brothers. It stuck.

Rose is an instructor of graphics art and fine arts and crafts for the Merced County Regional Occupational Program, a position she's held for four years. She teaches mostly high school juniors and seniors.

Which is karmic because Rose was in the program herself about 10 years ago.

It was a back injury she suffered while working as a custodian that got her back to ROP and her present job. Some of her former jobs included waitress, cannery worker, school bus driver, custodian and instructional aide.

She was sent to the adult ROP program for vocational retraining.

And so she came full circle.

Part of Rose's responsibilities include hosting Arts and Communications Career Industry Day to encourage high school sophomores and juniors to learn more about their chosen field.

This year, about 200 students attended, with about 25 speakers and exhibitors from career areas such as animation, photography, graphic design, screen printing, embroidery, fashion design and modeling.

There are also a variety of arts and design institutions at the industry day.

Rose also advises the student leadership organization, Skills USA. Each year, the students travel throughout California for competition in a variety of areas, such as job interviews, advertising design, desktop publishing and public speaking.

Rose has many interests outside of her work. She is married with three children and seven grandchildren.

"I love spending spare time with my family, practicing my faith, painting and working on crafts," she said.

Rose was born in Ohio, but moved to California when she was a child. She graduated from Merced High School and attended Merced College, majoring in art. She holds a vocational education credential in commercial art.

Photographer Marci

Stenberg can be reached at (209) 385-2505 or mstenberg

@mercedsunstar.com.