Teaching the Career Workshop

Jerry and I are the official teachers of the Career Workshop in our office. It is a 12-hour workshop spread over 3 days. We try to have one every week, but we end up with enough people twice a month. Often, we think we have enough, but they don't show up. That is disappointing when it happens. However, this week we started with eight people for the "Taller de Autosuficiencia Laboral." The title is a mouthful, but Jerry has become very good at teaching it. I help a little, but usually put the posters up and write on the board. I set up the room ahead of time also. Often, I am the receptionist in the office while Jerry is teaching the workshop because we are short on volunteers. It's better when we can both be in the workshop together.


I thought I would take some pictures of one of our workshops to show you what we do. 

The classroom is set up ready for the students to arrive. There is a maroon workbook under the hymnbook. (I forgot to take a picture of the workbook by itself.) This week the workshop is in the morning. Next time, it will be in the afternoon.

Jerry keeps the students' attention very well, using stories and personal examples, which makes it very interesting. The people feel free to add their comments too. It makes for a great workshop.

Here the students are practicing what they will say in an interview. 

Jerry has them practice interviewing each other. They practice before they have prepared themselves, and then afterwards to show the difference. The second time, I run the video camera so they can see themselves. After watching the playback, the students give each other feedback as one of the final activities of the workshop. It's very effective because Jerry has prepared them so well. 

Often when the people arrive for the workshop, they are discouraged and don't have a plan. They don't have a job and no one is offering them one. They don't know where to turn or what to do to help themselves. They feel unemployable. After the first day, they have lists of their qualities and abilities that shows them what they have to offer to an employer. They find out they are employable. Each day, they gain more confidence and their self-image improves.

After teaching the workshop, Jerry is tired. I am too, but I don't know why. I don't do that much.  (Behind him is just a poster that is stored behind the couch.)

Jerry has all the pressure of how to teach a particular group of people, and how to express himself in a different language. He stands most of the time when he's teaching, except when he is sitting on his chair.







I get up and down, writing on the board,

 putting up posters,

and trying to read, comprehend, and help the students when they have written something. It's nothing like what Jerry has to do, though.
At the end of the workshop, everyone gets a diploma.  Note that there were only six who finished.  That happens a lot.  These people were great!

They are so excited and happy. They are beaming because they have the tools they need to go forward. We are so impressed with the change in their countenances. They get lighter each day. It's so amazing. I thought that I was making it up, but the students do improve physically as well as spiritually. It's visible in the faces, their stance, and their mannerisms.


We have a testimony of the power of the workshop. It truly is inspired and based on true principles. What an amazing thing it is to be a part of this wonderful workshop!