Right now I'm a teacher. Crossed with a Social Worker. Crossed with a Redneck. Oh what a combo. Let me elaborate.
My current occupation is a Vocational Coach - delivering or facilitating classes on Job Readiness. As in how to be ready for a job. Or to look for a job. Or decide on what job you might want to do in your life.
So for the past 5 weeks of a 10 week program, I have shown up to class, prepared to engage my students and keep them quasi entertained whilst delivering assessments, tools to make a tight resume, how to look for jobs, how to decide what jobs they might be best suited for etc etc.
Today was the toughest so far. But let me start from the beginning.
The first day of class I looked out at 9 emotionless faces. Smiling? Maybe 2. Frowning - definitely 4, the rest - were they awake? Alive? Who could tell. But they were there. Not ready to work - not a one of them. Previous work experience? Nu huh Skills? Welllll on the sleeping in and playing games/being on Facebook level - they were Expert. On the other hand...oh my work is cut out for me!
The requirements of the course is that a) the participant wants to get a job at the end and b) the participant will attend classes, and participate. Thus the title Participant.
First day on the course, parameters were outlined - clearly. 1) Miss 3 classes = we determine that means you've withdrawn. If you are unable to attend - let us know. Sick Children do not count as an excuse. 2) Respect your instructors and classmates - not a tough rule to follow. We are the teachers. You are the students. Simple right?
The 9 are now down to 3. 1 said it was like they were in school, they hated school - so they quit right off the bat. OK I can dig it. One yelled that THEY were the teacher, that we had to listen to her - yikes...she was a big mean looking woman, so I personally was a bit intimidated. But I pulled up my big girl panties and said "In this room I am the teacher - you are not. Now either sit down and participate respectfully, or decide maybe you are in the wrong place." Phew!! She gone
Others had their own issues - partying is more fun than class time, sleeping is more desirable than learning, etc etc. And so - then we were down to 3. Sadly one more didn't show today. No idea what happened - in jail? in hospital? at friends? home asleep? hunting? This makes it tough for me - it's hard keeping a class of 2 engaged in the process. But their choice - do or do not - there is no try.
If this is the future of our country - we are in big trouble. I know when I was a young person, I held at least one job. I may not have known exactly what I wanted to be when I "grew up" but I did work - it's the whole thing about liking the freedom to have $$ and living independently. These people - not there yet. So whil2e I tend to the occasional outburst, hissy fit, and crying jag by and large my remaining students are pressing forward - tho to me it looks like as easy as wading through wet cement. Jesus wept - let's hope next week I still have a student or two!
Post Script:
The call came that night. One of the two remaining students was dead. Of a drug overdose in a crack shack. This bright light, with determination to turn his life around and be a good father to his little girl was gone. Those who knew him were sad, not shocked. I was so sorry he died in such an avoidable ugly manner. Fentynol doesnt care. The drugs will continue to flow in his community, others will die. So much potential, such a sad end.
