Eric Chancy, Ph.D. - Adjunct Instructor

In which online degree program do you teach?

M.Ed. in School Counseling.

Why did you start teaching?

I love the "a-ha" moment. When I see the recognition and realize a student is putting the pieces together, that is a special place in time. Online, you can't really see it happen, but through the LMS (learning management system) I can pick up things that help me see how that is happening.

What's the best advice that you ever received?

"Your definition of love will change as you change." That has been accurate for my personal life and has been an opportunity to keep a door open when talking to young students about relationships. It is so easy to tell young students who are dating that it won't last, that this will all change, but that's not always correct. Two students came to me in 1999 as sophomores in high school, pledging their undying love for each other. I cited the statement above, and I am glad for it – they are very happily married, and work every day to build their lives together.

What's the best advice that you could give your students?

You are not an island. Schools are communities. Your office is not the only place you can build rapport. It is okay to get involved in other things in which you have interest. Students need to know you are a human being and that you care about them.

What is the one book you think everyone should read?

It's Complicated by Danah Boyd and The World Is Flat by Thomas Friedman.

What qualities make someone particularly successful in school counseling?

Compassion, empathy, curiosity and current knowledge of an ever-changing world.

What do you think is the biggest challenge that people in the profession face today?

Staying current on a world that changes very, very quickly. Educators tend to be quickly dismissed when talking about careers because we are substantially removed from the hustle-and-bustle business world. Technology changes, economies change and we need to know about these pieces and how they will affect our families.

Tell us something your students may not know about you.

I should not be here. At 18 months old, I contracted appendicitis, and at the time, the "common knowledge" was that anyone under 2 years old could not have appendicitis. It nearly killed me. I am still here only because my parents railed against the accepted science. Every day is another day for which I am grateful, because one different action and everything is different.

Links to multimedia:

Mechanics of School Counseling Workbook
http://education-articles.com/the-technology-conversation/
http://education-articles.com/if-we-were-making-widgets/
http://education-articles.com/with-the-holidays-upon-us/
http://education-articles.com/the-inequity-of-global-comparison/
http://education-articles.com/education-around-the-world/