Archive for March, 2012

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Self-help stuffies

March 13, 2012

(Fast-forward:  I am now teaching in a treatment center serving homeless men and women on parole)

I have worked in other drug rehab facilities where adults toting stuffed animals were the norm. In the mid-1990s I subbed in a hospital treatment center for juveniles where the residents were required to carry a stuffed animal the first 30 days of the program. Stuffies make us feel secure. Using a teddy bear is healthier than using drugs or alcohol, which many do to suppress their emotional insecurities. So I wasn’t surprised when Xavier showed up today with a well-worn teddy bear wearing a rainbow necklace around its belly.

Xavier is my strongest GED candidate yet. But I have had to refer him to a therapist for his suicidal thoughts and depression. He is so strong in math and reading that I am having him read self-help books to boost his confidence rather than sit drilling on geometry.

It’s a fine line between success and failure for this population. They often don’t follow through at the last minute. They don’t just get cold feet, they get frostbite requiring amputation. I’m hoping I can get Xavier funded to take the GED in April, that he will complete his diploma. Convincing the GED examination board to let him bring in a teddy bear is another story.

Posted in adult education, drug recovery, GED, parolees, rehab | Tagged , , | 1 Comment »

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Is finding half a penny somewhat lucky?

March 13, 2012

(Returning to my blog after nearly a year hiatus. Still teaching, sometimes writing. Thanks for reading. I wrote this last year, just posting it now.)

Today I am sitting with one student. I am no longer at the rehab. My site lost its funding and my school relocated to this parole office where most of the students are required to attend or go back to jail. The student with me this morning wears a tie-dyed t-shirt. He has nine more hours to complete. Coming to my school is his get out of jail free card. He is a lifelong follower of the Grateful Dead, even post-Jerry Garcia. He grows and distributes medicinal marijuana, sampling his inventory, no doubt.  Parole agents found two grams of Ecstasy in his house. Why do I feel like I’m in San Francisco and it’s 1968? He just wants to be left alone. Parole and my program are of no consequence to him.

What’s that rustle at the sign-in sheet?

That is my only student leaving early.

Posted in adult education, arrested, parolees | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment »