Computer Information

MY BACKGROUND

You may want to know something about my background. Contrary to popular belief, I was not trained by a pack of technically proficient squirrels.

Initially I’d had some experience with early Basic programming and Data Processing (using a dumb terminal) in school and word processing with a word processing machine later. In 1983, the financial firm that I worked for asked me to do a computer feasibility study. They wanted to know whether their company of about 1500 people should have more than six desktop computers. With that project, I began teaching myself a great deal about computers, and kept it up. I became their first Statistician (they recognized what a know-it-all I was). The next year I was offered the opportunity to work in the MIS department of that company as a computer trainer. I taught a wide variety of computer classes and did special projects and backup for the help desk there until 1995.

Next, in 1995, I worked for a terrific non-profit company, the Career Education Center, that helped unemployed people acquire the technical and other skills that they needed to help them in their careers. I worked there until the year 2001, when the wonderful people who ran the company decided that they’d had their fill of government red-tape and closed their doors for good.

Deciding to enter the public sector, I took post-graduate classes at San Francisco State University and received a preliminary teaching credential. I cleared it very soon afterwards (in a competitive hurry, as usual).

In 2001, I began teaching a wide range of computer classes at South San Francisco Adult Ed. Reduced scheduling forced me to give up teaching during the day, but I continue to teach a variety of classes at night. During that time I took the opportunity to learn and explore many of the new methods of teaching that were developing, many employing new technologies in a variety of ways to appeal to all kinds of students. People learn in so many different ways, and I felt that it was about time that we explored new ways to reach them, as well as finding ways to develop types of curriculums and methods of teaching that address the needs of those who are physically challenged in different ways, too. Great sources for these are OTAN and Classroom 2.0!

I’m teaching computer classes for Goodwill Industries now. It’s a wonderful opportunity to do what I really love, helping people where I can really make a difference at the same time. As usual, I seem to get the best and most wonderful students to teach. I’m really blessed.

Goodwill Industries is a great place to recycle the things that you don’t need, and the money that is made from selling these items is put into the fantastic training programs that Goodwill runs. Goodwill Industries believes in recycling not only items but people, as well! Go Goodwill! See why it’s the perfect place for me? Also, the people there are tremendously dedicated to these ideals and the team spirit there is incredible. Plus, we’ve got the coolest CEO on the face of this planet, Deborah Alvarez-Rodriguez. She cares deeply about everyone who works there, as well as everyone that we help. With Ryan Boyle, my immediate boss – also fantastically cool, and the great co-workers that I have, it’s no wonder that we’re not only all hugely motivated to succeed, but we do! It’s like a dream come true.

MY TEACHING STYLE

My teaching style is informal, using a lot of exercises (most of them come from my warped brain) to reinforce the lessons I teach. I seldom use a book (I believe that they’re best used as references). I also believe that learning should be FUN! I do my best to help students have a really good time as they learn. I’m heavily into teaching the most productive and easiest ways to get things done, because everybody’s time is important. I also like to help my students learn and apply new technologies that can give them an ‘edge’ when they’re in competition for jobs, keeping their jobs and moving up the ladder.

Remember – WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER!