Are you familiar with the saying ”Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach?” The implication is that professionals – doctors, lawyers, virtually any profession you can think of – who have not achieved success in their chosen field, have teaching to fall back on.
There’s no environment better to dispel this misleading notion (and insult to a profession that shapes the lives of future generations) than a career school. And, there’s no better educator than Connie Duran, a healthcare instructor at A.C.I. Career College, located in Modesto, California.
Connie says, “It may sound like a cliché, but I entered teaching purely by luck and being in the right place at the right time.” Connie was interviewing for an administrative position at a career school. The interviewer was so impressed with her experience as a Medical Assistant, she was asked if she had ever considered teaching. “The thought had never entered my mind,” says Connie, who is beginning her fourth year as a healthcare career instructor.
Cozy and Warm
“I just love coming to work everyday,” says Connie with enthusiasm and sincerity. Connie notes that at A.C.I. the staff and instructors, as well as the school’s owner, Pat Cochran-Campbell, are friendly, supportive and caring to every student. Connie often refers to the career school environment as “cozy and warm.” Cochran-Campbell makes time every day to engage with students during breaks, making sure they’re happy with the curriculum, the equipment, and that they’re getting everything they need to be successful in their program.
Connie especially enjoys the ambiance at A.C.I., which is similar to the career school where she trained as a Medical Assistant. “It’s more like a business setting than a school. The first thing you see is a beautiful waterfall in front of the building. Viewed from the administrative area, the classrooms look like business offices. It’s more like a training setting than an academic environment.”
The personal satisfaction Connie derives from teaching at a career school is immeasurable. She’s justifiably proud of her ability to instill her strong work ethic in her students and provide them with quality, career-oriented, hands-on instruction that focuses on the skills they’ll need to enter the healthcare workplace with confidence.
And, confidence is the key component in Connie’s teaching style. “I remind students everyday,” she says, “that there’s a world of opportunity out there just waiting for them, and this commitment they’ve made to their education is the first step toward a promising career.” In Connie’s classroom (as well as her personal and professional life), the following phrases are forbidden – “I can’t, I won’t, I don’t know, I’m not sure.”
The Early Years
Although Connie comes from a large and loving family, her early years were difficult. The youngest of 10 children, Connie lost both parents by the age of 15. She lived with a sibling and started working at age 16 in a series of jobs leading nowhere – retail, customer service rep, etc.
Her work life took a dramatic turn for the better when, 13 years ago, she made a commitment to education deciding to attend a career school similar to A.C.I. Career College to train as a Medical Assistant. At the time, she was fearful that she couldn’t make it through the program. What made the difference, according to Connie, was the caring environment and the support she received from her instructors. “They continue to be my role models in my teaching career,” Connie reflects.
After successfully completing the Medical Assistant program, Connie worked in a variety of medical specialties, including pediatrics, oncology, family planning, radiology, podiatry, family practice and a dental practice.
The pinnacle of Connie’s healthcare career was working with the education department of a local hospital where she received what she considers “the ultimate reward one can receive” – obtaining her instructor’s certificate in CPR BLS (Basic Life Support) through the American Heart Association. “I have been given the gift to teach others how to save lives. What more could I ask for?”
It’s important to note that the wealth of on-the-job experience that Connie brings to the classroom doesn’t automatically lead to excellence in teaching. What that insightful interviewer recognized in Connie four years ago was a creative and inquiring mind, the ability to communicate ideas well and a passion for disseminating knowledge and motivating students to excel.
Connie is qualified to teach Health Information Specialist, Medical Clinical Assistant, Medical-Dental Administrative Assistant and Medical-Dental Receptionist for A.C.I. Career College. Two additional programs are offered at A.C.I. – Pharmacy Technician and Therapeutic Massage.
To request free information from A.C.I. Career College, visit our featured schools and click on request information.
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