Back to School…

Ahhh… I went back to school this past week. Not as a student; I have the privilege to be an educator at two university/colleges in my area. I teach in their addiction counseling education programs. The ages range from 18-88 (yes, 88!).

When I have a student that tells me he does not know how to use the internet or email system I refer him to our 88 year young “Wonder Guy.” At first, the student will be taken back. Then they usually will say something to the effect, ‘well, if he could learn how to, I guess I can to…’

I spent all morning Tuesday before my first evening class trying to locate my “Smurf” lunchbox. Alas, no luck. However, I did find an old “Transformer” one – good enough. So I packed it with a couple of Met-Rx bars, some hard-boiled eggs, and bottled water. Then off to work.

What I love the most is seeing minds open up: students discussing the material, their experiences, hopes, and aspirations. Most of the students are older, working, have family responsibilities, etc. My main course is, “Substance Abuse & Co-Occurring Disorders.” The majority of the students are in recovery themselves and the co-occurring disorder piece is new to most of them and they have had limited experience from either a clinical or academic viewpoint.

I give them ‘High Kudos’ for making the time to further educate themselves; not only to their benefit, but the population that they are either already serving, or, will be shortly.

When they arrive to my classroom I usually have the “Rolling Stones” or “AC/DC” cranked-up to welcome them. Many look around in amazement. “Hey, you’ve had a long day at work, come on in, have some coffee, kick your shoes off, and I will get this class going in a little while.”

I am not above them. I am there to educate them, answer their questions, sometimes debate with them, and always to share my humanness with them. It is all about ‘human to human.’ Not, I am above you, I am the teacher.

Yes, I am their teacher. This is a great responsibility and I take it seriously. But I educate with a comic flair due to my previous life in comedy. This helps to maintain their attention and enthusiasm (yes, I really am human, lol). The class is four hours long so I feel the need to make it fun as well as educational.

When people complete my course I always tell them my responsibility does not end there. I want them to feel free to call me anytime they have a question or want to run something past me.

I am very fortunate, I love what I do for work and people say it shows.

Truly Blessed.