Welcome to class! I am your Professor, Cindy Morrin! I have been teaching and counseling for over 25 years. In addition to Cuyamaca, I have taught at high schools and graduate level universities. I got involved in online teaching early in my career and feel it is an excellent way in learning. As a natural introvert, I find online learning a great way for me to learn and teach. However, I believe extroverts love online learning as well.
My career pathway is similar to many but unique to me as well. I come from a low-income family and had a lot of family trouble and trauma occur during my lifetime. My parents were teenage parents and then my step-parents were even closer to my age – more like older siblings. I had to raise myself as all the adults in my life suffered from their own intergenerational trauma and continued to pass it on. I’ve had family members go to prison and others die from drugs and alcohol. What helped me get through my rough childhood experiences was education and resilience and a fight to get out of a system of abuse. I love teaching this class because this is a class I needed as a teenager and young adult starting life and college. I hope you will reflect and journal on your life in this class as you embark on your college and career journey. I hope this class will help you overcome hardships and obstacles you might be facing or may face along your pathway.
I went to SDSU as an undecided major. I first pursued Business and even got a job at a bank. The banking job was a good job while in school and I enjoyed it, but it also made me realize business was not the major for me after all. After taking a leave of absence to try and figure out what I really wanted to do, I ended up changing my major to English and eventually I pursued a teaching credential. I became an English Teacher and then later got my Master’s degree at Point Loma Nazarene University in Counseling. After working in alternative education, the first Charter School in San Diego and as a high school counselor, I eventually found my pathway to Cuyamaca College to work with students like you. I have been at Cuyamaca full-time since 2006 and love the community college system.
I have held jobs since the age of 16 and every single job has helped lead me in my career and a place where I have gained valuable skills. In addition, my jobs are what helped me survive the family dysfunction and get myself in school. This is also an important part of your career journey and I will be recommending and referring you to our career center to explore work-related opportunities such as internships while you are in school.
Above all, I am a mom! I have two amazing adult sons. My oldest is a Music Professor at Berklee College of Music in Boston and my youngest is pursuing his PhD in Mathematics at UC Irvine. Both went to Ivy League schools for undergrad. My youngest actually went to Grossmont Middle College and I got to be his Counselor as he earned his certificate in math/physics/engineering before starting his college. Cuyamaca and Grossmont rock if you are in high school and taking this class!
I am back in school myself! I am pursuing a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology – San Diego campus. I am doing my research on adverse childhood experiences (ACE’s), parental narcissism, and CPTSD. It is pretty heavy stuff! Whew! But, I love it! I’m very excited to use the skills in the class I teach to continue my learning with all of you!
For fun, I spend lots of time with supportive, healthy friends and colleagues. We love to hike all of San Diego county and eat good food together. I also love yoga, meditation, gardening, creative arts and writing projects. Lastly, I am constantly outdoors, enjoying sunshine and nature!
Instructions
Now, I want to hear about all of you….
Tell us about yourself… What brought you to my class today? What are your career aspirations and future educational goals? What have you done so far? High School? Education? Internships? Hobbies? Do you work? What is your major or area of interest so far? What do you do for fun? Tell us about your family. Feel free to record a video and upload it and send photos. I welcome creativity and options!
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