Online Learning Programs for E.H. Mott Learning Center

Carmen M. Hamer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Science from National Louis University (1989) and a Master of Arts in Organization Management with an emphasis in Human Resource Management from the University of Phoenix (2001). She has completed 68 credit hours of organization and management courses at the doctorate level.

In 2007, Ms. Hamer retired from the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, where she worked in management and supervision for nearly twenty-three years at various federal prison facilities throughout the United States. She began her career in the education department and spent nearly 20 years in human resources, providing support and oversight for a comprehensive federal personnel program. She has over 27 years of experience in teaching, management, and supervision. Throughout her career with the Bureau of Prisons and beyond, she has facilitated courses on various subjects and at various academic levels. She has instructed in both traditional and non-traditional settings and has motivated others to achieve positive results through creative solutions.

Working in a correctional environment provided Carmen with the knowledge, skills, and ability to handle unique and complex situations. It expanded her capacity to interact with a variety of individuals at different levels and with diverse backgrounds and needs. After retiring, she moved to Newnan, GA, where she assisted individuals in transitioning from homelessness to self-sufficiency. Since relocating to Central Florida in 2012, Carmen has been working as a mental health targeted case manager, aiding recipients in accessing medical, social, educational, and other support services. Her experience with distressed children, youth, and families led her to transform a home-based consulting business (ClassyLinks Creative Consultants, Inc.) into a 501(c)(3) non-profit collaboration, which includes the E.H. Mott Learning Center.

Ms. Hamer’s Teaching Philosophy

Ms. Hamer's teaching philosophy has developed from her formal education, life experiences, and extensive teaching background. Her experience ranges from early childhood to adult education. In 1975, she began her post-secondary studies at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana, majoring in Special Education and Early Childhood Education. Over fifty years, Ms. Hamer encountered many theories and philosophies about human needs and behavior, particularly concerning communication and knowledge acquisition. She views her educational role as consisting of three main objectives:

· To foster positive and critical thinking.

· To inspire enthusiasm for learning through effective communication.

· To encourage a strong motivation for lifelong learning.

To achieve these goals, Ms. Hamer employs various strategies based on the idea that most individuals can learn with the proper desire and motivation. Behavioral theory provides many principles that, when applied correctly, benefit classroom learning and management at all levels. Ms. Hamer believes that teaching and learning must be both emotional and intellectual for maximum benefit. Consequently, she takes an emotionally intelligent approach to create a learner-focused environment. At the E.H. Mott Learning Center, her goal is to provide opportunities for each learner to connect their experiences with the subject matter, building a foundation for practical applications.

Ms. Hamer adheres to the belief that learning occurs when new behaviors are adopted or existing behavior patterns are modified, impacting future performance or attitudes. Through a “new path” to learning, she integrates new information into the learners' existing knowledge base while considering individual strengths and differences. Ms. Hamer encourages learners to reflect on their experiences, using them as emotional stimulus. She also emphasizes the importance of applying knowledge, skills, and abilities in practice to produce positive outcomes. Ms. Hamer maintains that a collaborative approach involving innovation, analysis, and common sense is essential for teaching and learning. This approach supports cognitive information sharing and helps achieve successful outcomes.

Ms. Hamer's diverse background and experiences enhance her ability to use a variety of instructional approaches, leading to more effective student engagement, assessments, and mastery. Her flexibility strengthens accountability for the curriculum and instructional plans at the learning center. As both an administrator and a learner, she aims for everyone to have satisfying experiences at the E.H. Mott Learning Center. Ms. Hamer believes it is possible to think beyond habitual behaviors and rituals to make learning meaningful.

Her teaching philosophy emphasizes the development of critical thinking, the incorporation of emotions, and practical methods. This approach helps staff to present different perspectives on the subject matter, enabling learners to receive, understand, and apply information effectively.

E.H. Mott Learning Center’s Niche

In the past, trainers used heavy chains to teach young elephants to stay in places. Over time, even a small bracelet around their foot, attached to nothing, kept them restrained due to their conditioning. 

This concept applies to people with mental health and cognitive issues who face learning disabilities that impact their socioeconomic status and quality of life. The stigma and perception of these "invisible disabilities" like ADHD, depression, autism, or anxiety can act as chains that hinder progress. At E.H. Mott Learning Center, we strive to break these chains and empower learners.