Student- (noun) scholar, learner. an attentive and systematic observer

As a child in elementary school I enjoyed myself because it was fun and engaging and we sat on rugs and told stories. We had art class and music. I felt like my teachers cared about me and liked me. When I got to middle and high school things changed. Maybe it was normal adolescent changes and attitude, but school because tedi

us. I felt uncomfortable in my own skin. Girls were mean. Math was hard. High school seemed like an endless stream of useless classes, meaningless information, and clickish girls. I did enjoy my sophomore English teacher who taught creative writing and editing, and more editing. I loved her class and writing down the stories. I also loved being in choir all through middle and high school. I “lettered” in choir my senior year. This is a family joke, “well mom, you did letter in choir”.

Overall, my high school years were hard and I couldn’t wait to get out. We had a family friend who told me “Just get through high school Sarelle because you will love college”. She was absolutely right. I loved college from the first day. Sure, there were challenges and I changed schools and my major. But I loved learning to think critically, and to engage in conversation with my classmates. I loved to sit and talk about issues I was learning with other students and professors. My experiences in college as a young woman set me on a path to learning that was foundational in my life.  I graduated from Xavier University with a Bachelor of Art in Theology with minors in peace studies and women’s studies. I immediately moved to Berkeley, CA where I spent three years in a theological consortium earning a Master of Divinity.

Being a student is not just about official education. Through experience I came to know that I could learn from all kinds of places. I read tons of books. I took photographs, and walks. I had friends and lovers. I got married and this relationship continues to be a great teacher. I had a career where I learned from teenagers and families. I became a mom, where have been both a student and a teacher. Where love and challenge live side by side unconditionally. Watching my daughter learn to read was the most fascinating thing I’d ever witnessed. I could see the wheels in her brain turning recognizing letters, words, forming sentences.

A few years ago, after a family move and the obvious need for a career change, I went back to Xavier University for a Master of Science in Human Resource Development. I was attempting to make a career change and manage the fact that I drank wine excessively and daily. I did what I loved to do, I became an official student again. I did very well academically and made a few friends. I was learning new information that while was interesting, I knew I would never work in the field.

One of the biggest learning challenges came in 2015. A huge obstacle in my life became a journey of change, pain, growth, and opportunity. I got sober. I quit drinking alcohol with the help of a treatment program, an amazing addiction counselor, 12 step meetings, a sponsor, and dear friends. I had to learn to deal with the stress and realities of life in ways that did not include a bottle or two of wine. I learned that recovery is a process that takes time, patience and just about everything I had. I learned acceptance, surrender and that my story matters. I met women in real life and online who inspired me and teach me to do better than I could do alone.

From this journey of recovery, I decided that my next career move was into the recovery field.  I only needed three more semesters of school to get my certification. So off to another school program I went. This time to follow my passion. I have been a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor for a while now and I continue to teach and encourage my patients.

I learn through creativity as I write something new, discover a new skill, or sew a quilt. I have enhanced my understanding of how to bake bread, to tell stories, and to approach life with curiosity. Every day I can learn something if I am open to it. My learning has been academic, and it has come organically through daily living. I find my teachers in people, relationships, books, creativity, and the wonders of life.