Category Archives: Classes and Courses

Announcements and information about classes and courses being offered.

Classes and Courses, Substitute Teaching, Suicide Prevention

Learning Opportunities

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Lots of things are coming soon… some (like cold and snow) you probably would rather I don’t mention. But you might like to know about a few learning opportunities that are on the verge of happening!

There are two Substitute Teacher Workshops coming up… one sponsored by MSAD 53 Adult Education in Pittsfield starts on October 1, 2019, and another sponsored by RSU 19 Adult Education starts on Tuesday, October 15, 2019. These workshops will feature my newly published workbook, so don’t miss out!

Don’t forget the on October 8, 2019, at the Corinna United Methodist Church.

For future real estate licensees, I’ll be teaching the Sales Agent Course at Beal College in Bangor… since there’s online work to do, you’ll want to be registered by October 12, 2019

And for those Sales Agents who are ready, I’ll be teaching the Associate Broker Course at Beal College in Bangor… this course also has an online requirement so you’ll want to be registered by October 12, 2019.

For those who remember Snuffy Smith, he’d probably say, “Time’s awastin’!”

These are just a few highlights regarding the courses… if you have any questions don’t hesitate to let me know!

Causes and Friends, Classes and Courses, Mental Health, Mental Hygiene, Personal Growth, Suicide Prevention

Anyone can save a life

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September is Suicide Prevention Month! And, yes, anyone can save a life. I asked Paul Stearns, Representative for Maine District 119, if I could repost the following article from his E-Newsletter. While it emphasizes the point that health care providers often have an opportunity to intervene, anyone can. let me call your attention to the Suicide Safer Care Portal mentioned in the article. I’ll be adding this Portal to the resource page of this site as it is a gateway to some great resources. Note also that I am teaching several Suicide Awareness and Prevention 90-minute courses in the the near future. You can save a life!

To mark National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) is sharing the message that suicide prevention is up to all of us, and that anyone can save a life. Maine CDC promotes the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s #BeThe1To campaign (www.BeThe1To.com) and encourages individuals to recognize and intervene when someone they know may be at risk of suicide.

Support for Mainers at risk of suicide is critical. Since 1999, suicide death rates have increased in nearly every state, rising more than 30% in half the states. In Maine, suicide death rates increased by 27% from 1999 through 2016, and suicide is the second leading cause of death among Maine youth and adults ages 10-35. Family members, friends, and co-workers can all play a critical role by helping find care and support for those struggling with thoughts of suicide.

“Asking someone if they are thinking about killing themselves does not increase their risk of attempting suicide,” said Maine CDC Director Nirav D. Shah. “For someone contemplating suicide, knowing that someone cares and can connect them to help may be the thing that saves their life.”

“The statistics regarding youth suicide are alarming,” said Dr. Todd Landry, Director of Maine’s Office of Child and Family Services, which oversees child welfare and children’s behavioral health services. “Suicide is more common among vulnerable youth, so I encourage adults to engage with the youth in their lives – talk to them, ask them questions, and connect with them. For a youth who is struggling, that connection to a trusted adult who loves and cares about them can have tremendous importance.”

Doctors and counselors have a chance to intervene with those at risk. Sixty-four percent of people who attempt suicide visit their doctor in the month before their attempt and 38% do so in the week before. The Maine CDC is promoting the Suicide Safer Care Training Portal (sweetser.academy.reliaslearning.com/), a resource developed in partnership with the Sweetser Training Institute, to help providers reduce the risk of suicide among people in their care. This resource offers free, evidence-based online training in suicide risk screening, intervention, treatment, and support.

“Screening and high-quality care for suicide risk should be as routine as screening and caring for a person with diabetes,” said Director Shah. “People need to know it is a sign of strength to say they are struggling, and that help is available.”

If you are thinking about suicide or are aware of someone who is, reach out for help. Contact the Maine Crisis Hotline at 1-888-568-1112 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Books by Walter, Classes and Courses, Just for Fun, Personal Growth

Do you mind?

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Well, I suppose I don’t need permission to be excited… and to share some of it. This has been an accomplishment-filled week! I can’t resist sharing a few of those accomplishments.

One may seem premature so think of it as me letting you in on something “everyone” will know by the end of the month. I have another book published, scheduled for release by September 20, 2019. Frankly, it became a real “crunch” project as I wanted to have it available for the Substitute Teacher Workshops I’m conducting this fall. (Check the course calendar for workshop availability in Dover-Foxcroft, Newport, and Pittsfield.)

“This workbook was developed for use in ‘Mr. Boomsma’s Substitute Teacher Workshop’ and, as such may appear to be missing content if viewed without participating. However, there is plenty of standalone information and valuable resources. It should further be noted that some of the information such as the process for fingerprinting and background checks is specific to the State of Maine. Regulations and processes may differ widely among states and school districts. “

Watch for the official “Launch” later this month! If the schedule remains intact, students participating in this fall’s workshop will receive a copy… but it will also be available to all!

But wait, there’s more!

Most know that recognition by colleagues is a great compliment… and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that some advice I’d given to fellow writers was featured in The Indie Author Self-Publishing Quarterly. It was actually a bit of a surprise… I’d finally gotten around to reading my latest issue and there I was on page 23!

I dug into working on yet another book and am committed to releasing it later this fall. Once I assembled everything I found I’m further along than I realized! Since returning from a wonderful vacation, I’m truly amazed at the progress and accomplishments I’ve made, particularly where writing is involved. It’s exciting!

So this post isn’t totally self-serving, I should mention that I’ve been experimenting. My busy teaching season starts next week and I’ve been focused on getting things done and off the list before the season starts. I’ve found two things extremely helpful.

First, and perhaps obvious, there’s huge value in managing work by checklists. This is no great discovery but I’ve found that it does help with the more important technique–a technique that is allowing me to actually “work” fewer hours while accomplishing more.

I’m also indebted to Seth Godin for inspiring me to re-think some of my work habits and achieve that. Seth wrote a daily post a while back about working with intensity and commitment, pointing out that six hours of impassioned work may equal eight to ten hours of “regular work.” It’s a different focus. It includes identifying the things you’re not going to do.

It’s an important lesson for entrepreneurs and self-employed folks to learn. When I started down this road some forty years ago, my admired mentor told me “You won’t have trouble knowing when and where to start. You’ll have trouble knowing when and where to stop.” Jack, if you’re reading this, you’ll perhaps be pleased to learn that I’m finally figuring it out.

“How much” is not about time. “How much” is about commitment, passion, and intensity. Think about it.

Bullying, Classes and Courses, Mental Health, Mental Hygiene, Personal Growth, Suicide Prevention

Register for Suicide Prevention Workshops

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Due to the current situation with COVID-19, our workshop schedule is indefinite. Check with RSU 19 Adult Education in Newport, MSAD 53 Adult Education in Pittsfield. Both of these Adult Education Providers are offering the Suicide Prevention Workshop.

Organizations interested in sponsoring/hosting a workshop, please let us know. You can email or call Walter at 207 343-1842.

Course Sponsors, Contact Information

TRELGThe Real Estate Learning Group
800-796-5308
AVP:
207 343-1842
PVAECPiscataquis Valley Adult Education Cooperative
207 564-6525
RSU19RSU 19/Nokomis Adult Education
207 368-3290
SAD53MSAD 53 Adult Education
207 487-5145
RSU 73Spruce Mountain Adult Education
207 897-6406
Causes and Friends, Classes and Courses, Mental Health, Suicide Prevention

Finding the right resource…

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NAMI Maine provides some great resources for me as a Gatekeeper and Trainer for the Suicide Awareness and Prevention Program. I was recently reviewing their updated PowerPoint Presentation and noticed that, frankly, the numbers aren’t getting better.

The most recent data shows, for example, that Maine consistently has higher suicide death rates than both the U.S. and the Northeast. For 2016, the rate in Maine was over 50% higher than the rate in the U.S.

Rather than analyze that data, it is obvious that we each need to consider how we might contribute to decreasing this rate. One reality the data doesn’t always reveal is the complexity of the issue. Yes, we can generalize. But explaining the problem doesn’t resolve it.

Most people underestimate their ability to help. It starts with being able to recognize the risk factors and warning signs and continues with a simple intervention. In the workshop, we address a basic model that doesn’t require a lot of skill or knowledge of psychology. It’s a three-step process.

  • Show you care and are concerned
  • Ask questions including whether or not the person is considering self-harm or suicide
  • Get help and resources for the person.

Based on some of the conversations I’ve had recently with people who are trying to help others, that last step can actually be the most difficult. So this morning I spent a few minutes creating a guide to finding the right phone number to call. You can download a copy right here: Finding the Right Resource.

Many people do not realize that you do not have to be suicidal to use these resources. If you are trying to help someone you think is in danger, you can call 2-1-1 Maine, the “Warm Line,” and or the Crisis Line and ask for help getting help.

It also happens that I have a workshop coming up next week, sponsored by RSU 19 Adult Education at Nokomis Regional in Newport. There’s no charge to attend, all that’s required is a couple of hours of your time. Hope to see you there!