Thread: Success Story

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My intention, upon graduation from college, was the traditional career of social studies/history teacher, coach. So I didn't CHOOSE the path I've taken, but now, I look back and realize how lucky I have been. Sounds wierd, but once I realized that it just wasn't "in the cards" for me to be what I went to school for, I started to gravitate toward it.

And it's it's been kind of a natural progression, so I think it was to be. I mean, I look back and I literally HATED high school. I didn't get big into learning until I went to college. My friends were all lower-class and blue collar, like I grew up. So coming from absolutely zero helps me identify with some of these broken kids (at risk? They're not at risk, they are ALREADY broken!). I had a principal once who grew up in the finest of homes, was the all - american ideal as a high school student, athleate, etc, and he couldn't relate to those kids - not really. He didn't even try, and that's what bothered me. I'm not saying from a "bleeding heart" aspect either, but simply trying to realize that some of these kids have already seen things in life no one should have to see, ever!

My brother in fact - having had it with school administration - just got a job at a university and has started his own business = Wounded Healing Seminars - because he has experience in dealing with these types of kids :

[url="http://www.hope4thewounded.org"]www.hope4thewounded.org[/url]

OK, it will give away my REAL name posting his website. But he just spoke at our Ohio Correctional Education conference as a keynote speaker and workshop leader, and his philosophy and mine are pretty much the same. Educators have to realize that many kids - no matter in WHAT situation you teach - are NOT at risk - they're WOUNDED. Only then can you start to work with them.

I know in this region of the country, college grads better explore their options because jobs are scarce in public schools. Me? No way would I ever go back. It kind of sucks being sequestered from the rest of the "real" world during the work day - but on the other hand, there's NO reward greater than seeing, if only one per quarter, an inmate say "thanks" for helping them. They do all the work - and that's what I make sure they remember. The staff and I just provide the opportunity.

Didn't mean to rant.