The Maiden Voyage

Since I'm new to the blog world, I'll start with a little about my work life. I've been teaching for 28 years. I spent a few years at a private school. First teaching and then as Dean of Instruction. That was fun but it was a private school and they oftentimes are rife with problems.

Next I moved on to a public school. California thankfully has had a fantastic adult education component to the school system. It's being mutilated a little this year and for the next few years but I'm hopefully the legislator and school leaders will see the error of their ways and restore adult education to their curriculum in its former glory. Adult education in California gives people a hand up to success. The focus is on new people in the country with citizenship classes, English as a Second Language training, older adult classes, adults with disabilities and vocational training. The last is the one I've given my life to. I first taught in the court reporting program which is where I had worked in the private sector. I'm currently working with the office occupations as the teacher of the accounting classes and coordinating the program. I've also taken on leadership roles at the school by serving on the WASC committee (next time around I'll be chairperson of the committee). I'm also the head teacher so I help administration out when they get pulled in too many directions.

I love my job and my students are interesting. Our adult education vocational students are looking for training to help them get back into the work world. Some have been raising a family, some have been laid off, some have had illnesses that require them to be retrained. My goal for my students is that they attain their goals with my assistance. It's extremely satisfying to help a student with new training and then see them find a job in that field.

Yes, I am in California -- land of the 12 point something unemployment rate at this time. It's been pretty hard for the students to find work. But if they are persistent, they will succeed. And things are starting to look better.

Okay. That's long winded synopsis of my major work life. Tune in tomorrow for the next installment!