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Being A Guest Speaker In High School


Diana

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After some asking around and making several phone calls, I have been asked to be a guest speaker in a student nursing program in one of our local high schools. I'll be in charge of 3 classes, for the full hour.

 

I've got some great ideas, but I want to know if anyone else has had this opportunity. The purpose will be teaching the students about my job and encouraging them to volunteer (conduct their service project hours) at my facility.

 

Any and all ideas will be greatly appreciated! Boy, it's been a while since high school - any tips on high school students nowadays? In High School, I was a book worm and a slight geek - so I am a fish out of water on this one!

 

Thanks guys!

Diana

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Hello!

Congratulations, what a cool thing to get to be a part of. I have found that my younger (high-school/college) staff have a tremendous need to feel useful and purposeful. They will not partake in anything that they do not feel will benefit themselves or the "greater cause". I suggest making the presentation on power point too, because technology is their language. Include some pictures of your residents (with permission) and offer to write recommendations after so many hours of service. Make sure that once you get them at your place, you keep them busy with step by step instructions. (they can be very task-oriented, and of course easily distracted)

 

Good Luck!

Heide :lol:

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Guest Tinki

That is a great opportunity- we all should go talk to schools, especially in the vocational department let students know about our field!

 

Watch MTV for a week and then you might be able to get on there level. That is a joke sort of!

 

Karen

Edited by Tinki
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hey there,

I know my kids (who are in their early 20's) hate the thought of spending their time with old people!

It was the same when a teacher would bring in his senior's student 2xw to do stuff at the facility.

I discovered that what got these students to come back as volunteers on their own time was asking them to help me decorate the facility for the month, do my bullentin boards, decorate for special parties, then on thei rcomputer at home or on one at the facility: to make all of my monthly flyer, games etc. the girls didn't mind doing the pretty nails, as long as res. nails weren't gross. I was even able to get some of them to help me do a family history/genealogy on some of the res. You have lots of res. that make some great tutors.

 

Share this poem w/ the students:

This poem was given to me by my very first teacher and it touched my heart. It was one of the major influences in my life and made me know that my decision to become an Activity Director was right.

(Thanks, Gerry)

 

Minnie Remembers

By Donna Swanson

 

God, my hands are old.

I've never said that out loud before

but they are.

I was so proud of them once.

They were soft

like the velvet smoothness of a firm, ripe

peach.

Now the softness is more like

worn-out sheets

or withered leaves.

When did these slender, graceful

hands

become gnarled, shrunken claws?

When, God?

They lie here in my lap;

naked reminders of this worn out

body that has served me too well.

 

How long has it been since someone

touched me?

Twenty years?

Twenty years I've been a widow.

Respected.

Smiled at.

But never touched.

Never held so close that loneliness

was blotted out.

 

I remember how my mother used to

hold me, God.

When I was hurt in spirit or flesh,

she would gather me close,

stroke my silky hair,

and caress my back with her warm

hands.

O God, I'm so lonely!

 

I remember the first boy who ever

kissed me.

We were both so new at that!

The taste of young lips and popcorn,

the feeling

inside me of mysteries

to come.

 

I remember Hank and the babies.

How else can I remember them

but together?

For out of the fumbling, awkward

attempts of new lovers

came the babies.

And, as they grew, so did our love.

 

And, God, Hank didn't seem to mind

if my

body thickened and faded

a little.

He still loved it and touched it.

And we didn't mind if we were no

longer beautiful.

And it felt so good.

And the children hugged me a lot.

O God, I'm lonely!

 

God, why didn't we raise the kids

to be silly and affectionate

as well as dignified and proper.

You see, they do their duty.

They drive up in their fine cars.

they come to my room

to pay their respects.

they chatter brightly, and reminisce.

But they don't touch me.

they call me Mom, or Mother

or Grandma.

 

Never Minnie.

My mother called me Minnie.

So did my friends.

Hank called me Minnie, too.

But they're gone now.

And so is Minnie.

Only Grandma is here.

 

And God! She's lonely!

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  • 2 weeks later...

We are walking advertisements for the good we do. I have 3 daughters and 2 of them, just by hearing my enthusiasm are considering changing careers. What an exciting opportunity to encourage compassionate people, who have no interest in the business world, to find another road. My girls are now volunteering in hospitals and getting a taste of what it would be like, and loving every minute. Good for you for being involved......I may just do the same thing at our career fair. Just hadn't thought of it. Good luck.

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Last minute ideas for anyone who has any for my trip to the past - being a high school guest speaker!

 

Wednesday afternoon (Feb 15) is when I will go to the school. So far, I have 5 of their students volunteering - and I haven't even been a guest speaker yet!

 

What do I do if I get a bunch of students and it's more than I can handle?

 

I need ideas for that, too :lol:

 

I am only freaking out a little. The students I have now are very supportive and laugh at me when I tell them that standing in front of a class is making me nervous.

 

Okay, gotta go to CAre Plans!

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This might make you laugh. I hooked up with our local university to help get the students their community service credits for graduation. The sports department got wind of it, and called to see if I would help out a few of their athletes that were in need of a work credit. I said "Sure, how fun!" OOPS! The next day, the entire women's hockey team showed up! I had to figure out what to do with 20 young ladies all at once! Well, I split them up into 3 groups (I had 3 activiites going) and it was great! The residents learned some new exercises, and made friends with the ladies. They visit and write to us! We're even going to their hockey game in March!

So don't sweat it, it might be fun! Go Purple Eagles Hockey!!!

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thanks to everyone for their support!

 

the three classes went well - I only stumbled a few times, but for the most part, the students were being participants and not laughing at me, rather with me!

 

Thanks again!

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