Rudy never wanted to be a teacher.
“I always hated people telling me that I have the gift to be a teacher,” Rudy laughed. “I felt like everyone was trying to make the decision for me…and I’d always respond “No! That’s not what I want to do!”
So when Rudy was challenged to attend an adult education course held at the Ukarumpa Training Centre, she balked. “I don’t want to go,” she protested. Phil, the coordinator, disagreed. “I think I’ve got something for you to do, so I want you to go.”
Despite Rudy’s hesitation, the course kept her attention. “Information is the best thing!” Rudy grinned, spreading her hands wide. “I just love learning something new!”
Afterwards, Phil asked Rudy to teach a few lessons at the Translators Training Course (TTC), which equips national translators in translation, exegesis, and linguistics. At first, Rudy was horrified. “I felt really stupid and wondered how I was going to teach these things. Was I really going to ask them to sing the alphabet song? I thought, it’s like going back to grade 1! No way! This is embarrassing!”
Assuring herself that if it went badly, she wouldn’t ever teach again, Rudy bravely walked to the front of the class and began leading the discussion. To her surprise, the silly alphabet song actually helped her students engage with the material!
Now, Rudy is an integral member of the instructor team for TTC. “That song helped me to see that there are a lot of people who aren’t as fortunate as me, who may not have gone to the schools that I’ve been in or…[had] the resources that I’ve had or the teachers that I’ve had… Knowing that has given me the joy to know I can help these people. My people.” She smiled. “It’s what helps me to keep coming back. Of course there are challenges….but at the end of the day, it’s worth it.”
Her eyes sparkled… And yes, I love teaching people!
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