Essay on Giving Back

Giving Back

 

I wish to give back in a different way. By performing analysis in seven different industries I gained focus on motivators. Throughout the years I was privileged to serve in soup kitchens, teach in literacy programs and advocate for those less fortunate. The clear reality is that our children will not succeed without education, safety nets, and community support. Doing what is right and serving the common good is the only way to achieve a healthy society in which future generations may flourish.

 

The soup kitchen experience opened a window for looking into a kind of poverty that I did not realize existed. This was the poverty of illiteracy. I helped clients fill out applications so they might apply for minimum wage jobs. Many could not read or write and several had no grasp of basic math skills.

 

Volunteering in the adult literacy program gave insight on bias. Anyone without a firm knowledge of reading, writing and arithmetic must overcome additional difficulties in order to become successful.

 

I am discouraged by how the simple lack of knowledge in math makes absent the joy of checks and balances. Problem-solving thinking must be instilled in students. Inflexible dreams, goals, and aspirations are not available to everyone. For a while, living kept me busy with accomplishing tasks while others were traumatized by life. Now I add diversity to a global community.

The corporate world often misunderstands complex problems. I became tasked with providing leadership in work groups, designing dialogues for job instructions, and completing company documentation to meet regulations. Not only must we do the right thing; we must show that the right thing needs to be done. Solutions can be both challenging and frustrating when lack of knowledge causes fear in the workplace over problem-solving. But achievement of common goals need not lead to self-serving competitions. Strategic innovation is necessary for well-being and it can be learned. This too must be taught in schools.

 

Teachers are called to tell stories. They draw upon their imaginations, zeal, courage, and passion! To be effective they must also be compassionate and inspirational. Teachers encourage left-brainers to dance in tight spaces where right-brainers can only hover. They must fortify right-brainers with resolve to resist temptations for glazing over whenever left-brainers spew logical discourse!

 

While tutoring a youth I discovered how she had been passed from tutor to tutor just to move her on. I wondered if I could make math fun and interesting without sounding demeaning. Perhaps we should play a little game between student and teacher? It worked. She beamed when our session was over and she amazed us tutors.

Orientation, drive, and focus are all indicators of potential. Environmental concerns, as well as empathy for the oppressed, are motivations for adapting. I will work hard to gain the confidence of students, parents, peers, and instructors alike. Complete independence is not the requirement; nobody does it alone. Some educational processes produce situations which are impossible to satisfy. Difficulties might be navigable but examples of unselfish caring need to be visible, observed, and appreciated. Decide to enable others and ensure that they can set and reach attainable, realistic goals. Everyone shapes reality. I have promise for teaching.

 

Resume

 

Objective: Earn a Master's Degree in Education with emphasis in math and become an Algebra teacher. I want to help caregivers improve communication by enhancing logic controls, thus developing customized tools which build essential support networks as required. I seek an opportunity for teaching at the high school level on a front-line basis.

Goal: Work in the field of education.

Summary of Core Competencies

Technical consultant with analytical judgments Vendor credentialing Start-up and operating procedures Strategic planning Quality improvement Qualification testing Quantifiable deliverables

· Application of engineering principles and theory · Document controls and manuals · Design reliability · Specification control · Interface definition · Unique solutions

Education, Accomplishments, Awards, & Demonstrated Commitment

• BS Civil Engineering, Kansas State University, May 1981
• Patented Stowage Device
• Professional Engineering Licensure (MO & KS)
• Innovator in Caregiver Advocacy

Current Status

• 2012/2013 UMKC Student (Mathematics)

Recent Endeavors

• S2012 Student (JCCC Statistics), Math Tutor ( JCCC Intermediate Algebra)
• F2012 Conference Attendee (22nd Annual KCRM Tech Expo, Annual KCATM)

Integrating Values through Community Involvement, Kansas City Metro (2001-present):

· Community Care Coalition (Member Board of Directors, participant in Stroke, Stroll & Run and CCC Garage Sale fund raisers)

· Good Shepherd Church (cantor, choir member, music selection committee, confirmation mentor, Learning Club-Juvenile Tutor)

· Veronica’s Voice (Walk for Awareness, Board Member 3 years); Catholic Worker House, St. James Food Kitchen, KCMO Food Pantry; Christmas in October

· Volunteer work with nonprofits, cancer recovery advocate; concern for the marginalized

Industry Experience (25+ years in Engineering)

• Telecommunications (5)
• Power Delivery (1)
• Steel Fabrication (1)
• Dot.com Startup (intangible goods)
• Lifting Products (5)
• Petrochemical (4)
• Aerospace (9)

Personal Journey “Caregiving is only taught by example.”