In 2017 I was able to reach out to so many operators, so many facilities it was an awesome experience. I just want to take a minute to talk you: the Operator, the Maintenance Crew, Sewer Crew, Laboratory Technician, the Supervisor or Chief Operator/Superintendent.
In the classes I don’t have time to get to know each one of you like I would prefer, but I do get a sense of if you are there as a willing student or if you are there but are resentful because you were told to do so. Either way, it seems by the end of the session everyone in the class has at least at one time or another learned something, even if it something that can’t help them at their facility, but can help them pass the test, or something that didn’t help them pass the test, but helped them at the plant. Most everyone also has a chance to smile and some outright laugh (nothing better than laughter as you learn). You may not realize it, but when I am looking around the room there are times I see those little light bulbs light up over your heads that show me YOU GOT IT!! That is when you see me smile for no reason (or so you thought).
I admit that at each class I teach I walk away with something I didn’t know when I walked in. Sometimes it is the way a plant is running effectively (when it shouldn’t be able to run that way) or it could be a new piece of equipment, a new way to operate a piece of equipment. Other times it is a life lesson (don’t ever say that in class again – some find it offensive) or it is a piece of knowledge about that area (a good place to eat, a place to visit, a piece of history). But what ever it is, it sticks with me and helps me to be more effective for the next time.
So, this year I was teaching in these Indiana locations: Seymour, Danville, Portland, Peru, Bloomington, Kokomo, Lafayette, Richmond, Valparaiso, and Indianapolis. There were also tutoring classes here in Muncie. We did a Certification Course in Lafayette at B.L. Anderson and one in Indianapolis for the Indiana Water Environment Association with students from all over Indiana. I did short sessions at two other awesome associations with members from across Indiana: the AWWA Annual Conference in Indianapolis and the Alliance Conference in French Lick.
I have also had a chance to interact with people who took our On-Line courses either to study for an exam or needing contact hours. They have been from different locations in Indiana and a few from out of state wanting study material they weren’t able to find easily.
I just want to take this time to say, Thank You to each and everyone of you who have attended my courses for allowing me to be part of your future through education. I also want to say Thank You to the ever-increasing Face Book page members for following Wastewater 101, LLC, for commenting, sharing your achievements, encouraging others as they grow in the field and for using or sharing the weekly quizzes. You make my job so much easier. I don’t know if you can tell, but, this is not a JOB to me it is a passion and you keep me passionate about it. I hope to see you again this coming year and I hope to continue to add new locations to the list above.
Many of you had the pleasure of meeting my husband and business partner Larry Smith (for those who don’t know – he is my chauffeur and my IT person) and so from Larry and myself we would like to say Season Greetings to some and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to others.
