Hello

[Smallville]

I've been a lurker in the shadows of this forum for some time, reading posts and getting to 'know' some of the regulars.
After visiting other forums I felt this one was more to my own nature with the attitudes and views (mostly) of the people I've read and have got to 'know'. Some of the other atheistic forums had far too many people who were hostile and degrading to visitors but I've seen compassion, thoughtfulness, and an open-mindedness here that I like.
Hopefully, I can contribute in a like manner.

About myself, I'm 53 (an old fart compared to some of you, I know, but not a bitter one), have had no belief for over 25 years but only 'came out' in the past two or three to family, friends, and co-workers. Most accepted my belief, or lack of it, since it didn't change who I was.

"Smallville" is the screen name I've used on other forums locally because of something my daughter called me years ago - the World's Oldest Boy Scout. I laughed at her and said I ought to call myself Superman. She said, "No, where was it Clark came from? Smallville? Well, you're from a small town originally so why don't you use that?"  She's a big fan of the show and I said, "Eh? Why not?"  The picture (once I figure how to insert it) came from the graphic novel "Kingdom Come" she bought for me a couple of years ago for my birthday. She nearly freaked out when she saw a bearded, ponytailed Clark Kent that she says looks incredibly like me. So I've used that whenever I could.

I'm a native born South Carolinian (yeah, not all of us are bible-thumpin' fundamentalists!).

I'm the proud father of a wonderful, beautiful 21 year old daughter (and I'm not saying that just because she's my girl), happily divorced, and am a teacher.

I teach (and this always raises eyebrows) in the maximum security section in juvenile corrections. I teach all subjects, all levels, to the worst the state has. I am their last hope for education before they transfer to adult corrections.

I like 60s and 70s rock, classical music, and a little bit of anything else that sounds good to my ears.

I constantly read many types of fiction and nonfiction. My favorites are Stephen King, Brian Lumley, Robert R McCammon, Harry Turtledove, the late great AC Clarke, Asimov, and most of all Ray Bradbury. I've enjoyed Tom Clancy when he's in his story-telling mood and not the technical side.
 
While I don't watch that much television I do enjoy the new Battlestar, the original CSI, a few things on Discovery, and movies. The rest of network TV stinks. But, man oh man, do I love watching movies. I have Directv, 30 movie channels, and can find at least one good film to watch somewhere when I'm in the mood.

I can''t think of anything else at the moment but I look forward to our discussions.

[curiosityandthecat]

Even though I'm a relative newcomer myself... welcome!  

And I commend you on your work. It takes a special kind of person to see potential where so many others have given up hope. Bravo, sir.

[MommaSquid]

Welcome to the forum, Smallville, and thanks for the thorough introduction.  

Kudos on teaching in the juvenile corrections system.  I'm sure you have more than a few stories to tell.  I also like the new BSG and I love to read.  I look forward to your contributions on the board.

[crocofish]

Welcome Smallville.  There are some other "old fart" regulars here, so you're not alone.

[Tom62]

Welcome to the forum, Smallville!

[Evolved]

Hey Smallville!  Welcome to the forum!  I've done a little work in juvenile corrections myself - I used to teach health classes.  I also taught some at the local jails and our correctional institution.  I was lucky, though - I was usually with them only an hour or two every few months, and my subjects were cool, so they listened.  I have to give you props for working with them every day!

[myleviathan]

"Smallville" is the screen name I've used on other forums locally because of something my daughter called me years ago - the World's Oldest Boy Scout.

Wait, wait - I think my dad is the World's oldest Boy Scout. He's 65, and he still talks about the eagle-scout days. I was never involved in the boy scouts, although I always sort of wanted to be. I thought it was cool to learn how to survive by learning various knots... My dad loves knots. My favorite book when I was in elementary school was Hatchet. It was about a kid who's in a small plane flying over Alaska and the pilot has a heart attack and dies. So the kid in the story somehow lands the plane and uses, that's right, his hatchet, to survive. I need to read that book again...

I teach (and this always raises eyebrows) in the maximum security section in juvenile corrections.

Do you find that your work is satisfying, or is it just hard and draining? That's something I would like to try at some point on a volunteer basis. I would like to hear what you have to say about it. I had a friend who worked at a juvenile boot camp in Florida and almost got killed. Although I think that was due to the more relaxed nature of a "boot camp". Maybe a max security prison is safer? Maybe?

Anyway, welcome to the forum. Glad to have you.

[Smallville]

Thanks to you and everyone else for the welcome.

I was never a boy scout myself, but my daughter always compares me with one because of my strong pro-America stance and my "Do Good" attitude. That said, just because I'm pro-America and what it metaphorically stands for it does not mean I support a lot of what the government of America does. I believe in what America stands (stood?) for, not the corruption that politics has turned it into. The freedom we have to voice dissent is one that I employ the most.

The work is satisfying, fun, and draining. My ex could never quite get a grasp on that nor my need to do volunteer work to refresh myself mentally and that was a main contributor to the divorce. (That and she said she just had enough of my shite!) Working in the juvenile system as I have for over 26 years (whoa!) has given me an insight to things that I still find shocking to this day, things like the core of violence in young people, the lack of conscience, and the increasing threat of gang activity. I have six certifications, four degrees, and am highly qualified to teach the core subjects to my students - Math, Science, English, and History. Special Ed certification in Learning Disabilities and Emotionally Handicapped students have helped out as well. It's been a continual process of my education for my students' benefit.

As an educator I keep it professional in the classroom and save volunteer work for other endeavors outside. I've worked with Habitat for Humanity (still my favorite since it involves the people who are getting assistance rather than just giving them something), Meals on Wheels through a couple of churches since they sponsor the program helping the elderly, and other things that are not handouts or what people feel are 'entitlement' programs.

In the classroom, if a kid wants to learn, then I'm the best he's going to ever have. Period. In the community, if the person needs help and is serious about wanting enough just to get by until they can get back on their feet it's the same. But to someone who's lazy, doesn't want to try and improve their lot in life I just turn a deaf ear. There's a big difference in that.

As for volunteering in a prison situation, that's a tough call. I'd personally rather see more volunteering done with the kids before they get institutionalized. Big Brother, Big Sister, one-on-one relationships built with a kid before he/she gets into serious trouble is more important, I think, to show them the alternatives to a gang or prison lifestyle or worse.

The sad thing is that once a juvenile IS incarcerated "behind the fences" he has an 80 to 85 percent recidivism rate of going to adult corrections. Prior intervention is the key to help bringing those numbers down.