Spotlight on Donna: Embracing Technology and Empowering Others
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In April 2020, Donna was considering visiting her niece, who was studying abroad in Spain, and a friend’s child in Copenhagen. The duo thought about turning the visit into a European tour, hitting up classic spots like London and exploring Europe. However, they held off on booking the trip due to unsettling news and a sense that something was about to change. Just a few weeks later, these family members scrambled to get home as international flights diminished and San Francisco went into lockdown.
Donna had been looking for a new opportunity at the time, and while she was working part-time as a Hallmark representative, GetSetUp responded to her application to be a Guide. It came at a perfect time, as she was stuck at home due to the pandemic.
Becoming an Expert in a New Software
“When I first started, I had never heard of Zoom, which is ironic because now I’m teaching it. I just got used to it.”
Despite having worked in the tech industry for decades at companies like HP, it took Donna some time to get up to speed with the new software.
“One of my biggest challenges was getting used to being on camera. Our generation is just not used to that kind of thing. Often in my Zoom classes, people are afraid to turn on their video initially. That was a big hurdle that almost everyone faces at the beginning, even in my classes.”
Donna understands that not everyone is comfortable using the camera, but she appreciates seeing and interacting with people. She enjoys teaching interactive learners but also respects those who are shy or more focused. She finds this variety a pleasure in her classes.
First Contact with New Learners
As a former guitar and piano teacher who also did music therapy in various settings, Donna is no stranger to working with people. While other Guides like Wade and Glenda had prior experience teaching online, Donna’s background was more in special education and music therapy. She even taught music to deaf children in a mental institution for a while.
“My experience in education is a bit different than some of the other Guides, so I definitely looked up to them. I went to all their classes when I first started so I could try to model their classes.”
Despite her initial challenges with Zoom, it’s now one of the classes Donna teaches regularly. She begins by helping beginners Get Started with Zoom and then offers more advanced sessions like Schedule & Host a Zoom Session. Her goal is to help users not just join calls but also host them with confidence.
“I like people and enjoy talking with people and teaching at GetSetUp. I especially like it when people have those ‘aha moments’ when suddenly everything clicks. It’s very rewarding when they get it!”
Since joining GetSetUp, Donna has expanded her classes beyond Zoom to include various technology-related courses, such as Using Google Maps for Navigation and Music Apps to Listen to Your Favorite Music. However, her favorite class to teach is Playing Brain Games.
“In the Brain Games class, I enjoy hearing learners laugh and have a good time. Many have said that it relieved their stress and that it felt good to laugh.”
Overcoming Barriers and Inspiring Others
While she enjoys brain games and music classes that align with her personal interests, Donna also finds excitement in teaching Zoom classes. She often encounters learners when they first join GetSetUp.
“It is interesting because sometimes they are very frustrated because they have to learn some Zoom to enjoy classes they would rather be taking, like meditation with Glenda. Zoom, for some, is the bitter pill they have to take first, so there is a level of frustration or anxiety about it in some cases. Some feel uneasy like they are never going to get it, so I have to be a coach to help them get over the hurdle of the Zoom part to enjoy other classes.”
Donna admires the persistence of learners, especially when it comes to mastering Zoom. It’s not always fun, but people keep coming back to her classes until they truly grasp the material. She finds their motivation inspiring.
“I have been very impressed with one 85-year-old learner, Martha. I’m impressed with her desire to learn. I could tell she really wanted to learn and wasn’t going to let age hold her back. I think I’m encouraged by seeing some of the older learners open to learn and try! They might have to hear it a few times, but eventually, they get it. It’s just a different style of learning.”
As one of the initial GetSetUp Guides, Donna now enjoys seeing some of her former learners in group meetings as new Guides. She believes this speaks to the positive learning and growth happening at GetSetUp.
In her spare time, you might find Donna listening to live music, hiking, or traveling. Although she once played classical guitar at weddings and coffee houses, she hasn’t had as much time to play or sing in choirs as she used to. However, she still hopes to return to these passions after the pandemic.
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