Gloria Barksdale is a self-described Virginia farm lady who took it upon herself to show her 5 youthful siblings their ABCs and 123s earlier than they started their education. Since then, she’s had a storied profession as an educator, author (see her writing right here!), writer, Microsoft Workplace Suites grasp teacher, and now as one in all Senior Planet’s latest trainers working with the Digital Expertise Prepared Program!
We spoke with Gloria about her ardour for schooling, her 20-year-old nonprofit Challenge MOTHER and why she’s dedicated to sharing digital expertise to assist others, particularly ladies, discover and safe jobs, change careers, or discover entrepreneurship.
What first received you into educating expertise expertise?
After I went to varsity and IT got here out – I assumed that is nice!
My mom had a 9th grade schooling, and my grandmother had a 3rd grade schooling – they taught me the methods of the farm and the methods of motherhood. All of the commonsense stuff to outlive. After I went to varsity and IT got here out – I assumed that is nice! It’s totally different! It’s not chopping wooden or canning meals, however that is one thing that’s going to proceed to go.
I felt impressed to verify ladies can seize tech by the horns and make it work for them. It’s been my lifelong calling.
What impressed you to start out your nonprofit Challenge MOTHER?
Challenge Mom (Millennium Alternatives to Heal, Educate and Rehabilitate) is 20 years outdated now! I do it to encourage different ladies to get into the IT area and in each state I’ve moved to through the years, I’ve all the time discovered a minimum of one lady who wanted tech to catapult herself in direction of getting a increase, getting a job or turning into an entrepreneur – and I would offer that help.
I all the time inform seniors to remain within the sport. And expertise is safety.
Why do you assume Digital Expertise Prepared is such an necessary program?
I’m a lifelong learner – I be taught one thing new daily as a result of for us to achieve success on this world we’ve got to a minimum of hold tempo. My household all the time jokes with me that I’ve extra levels than a thermometer! Nevertheless it’s as a result of I all the time felt extra comfy staying forward of the curve, as a substitute of behind the eight ball.
I all the time inform seniors to remain within the sport. And expertise is safety. So, take cost! Simply since you had one dangerous expertise, doesn’t imply there isn’t a room for development.
What does ageing with angle imply to you?
When folks ask, “how outdated are you?” I all the time reply, “I’m ageing divinely – I’ll be 62 this 12 months.” They all the time chuckle at me, however I feel ageing with angle means you might be assured in how you might be ageing – mentally, emotionally, bodily and naturally technologically.
Pam Hugi is Senior Planet’s Group and Advocacy Supervisor. Based mostly in Brooklyn, she runs Senior Planet’s Supporter program along with being a contributing author for this website. She will be reached at [email protected].