Reverse Mentoring : Critical Journeys

by Towns, Jim

• ISBN13: 9781936205516
• ISBN10: 1936205513
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-05-01
• Publisher: Texas A & M Univ Pr

Summary

Dr. Jim Towns is a Regents Professor of Communication Studies at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX. In his latest book, Reverse Mentoring, Dr. Towns explores the life lessons learned by his students and remarks upon the positive changes in his own life, a process he calls reverse mentoring. Unlike traditional mentoring, where an older person assists a younger person with problems, the roles reverse, and the student becomes the teacher. These essays are sometimes poignant, sometimes heartbreaking, but all are filled with acts of faith and love that will transform readers everywhere.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	p. 6
Introduction	p. 7
Illness and Disabilities
"When There Is No Miracle: Chronic Illness as a Spiritual-Journey"	p. 10
"Disabilities: The Injury That I Thought I Could Not Live with Has Given Purpose and Direction That I Cannot Live Without"	p. 22
"Second Sight: I Am Blind, but Now I See"	p. 28
"Mr. Jones, You have Cancer: My Illness Led to Greater Wholeness"	p. 38
"Little Person, Giant Heart: Perspectives from Dwarfism"	p. 48
"Do What the Doctor Said or You Are Dead: A Physician's Guide to Health"	p. 56
Grief and Loss
"Suicide: The Loss of Core Being"	p. 64
"From Darkness into the Light: How My Brother's Battle with AIDS Brought My Own Frailty into Perspective"	p. 72
"Losing a Child: Everything I Need to Know about Life, I Learned from My Dying Child"	p. 82
Life Lessons
"Crisis Communication: Life, What a Teacher!"	p. 90
"The Day the Sky Fell: Truth or Consequences"	p. 100
"From Religion to Reality of Righteousness: To Know God and Make Him Known"	p. 108
"Unanswered Prayer: Blessing in Disguise"	p. 116
"Living Intentionally: Personal Code of Ethics"	p. 122
Military
"Freedom is Not Free: The Price of Protection"	p. 130
"Elizabeth Kubler Ross's Five Stages of Dying: A Focal Lens on a Combat Tour in Iraq"	p. 138
"Broken Road Blessings: A Second Chance for Love"	p. 148
"Practicing Classroom Principles in War: A Soldier's Perception", 2nd Lt. Brenton Westbrook	p. 162
Social Issues
"A Year After Columbine: How Do We Heal a Wounded Culture?": Gov. Bill Owens, 40th Governor of Colorado	p. 168
"My Loss Is Your Gain: Parenting Lessons From Death"	p. 178
"Race Relationships: From Jasper to Jesus"	p. 190
"Return from Substance Abuse: Rehabilitated into Life"	p. 200
"God, Save Me from Myself: Healing Negative Self-Image"	p. 208
"Life Lessons: Officiating Sports Renewed My Life and Taught Me Communication"	p. 216
"Beyond Abuse: As a Woman Thinks, So Is She"	p. 224
"I Found God at Party School: The Power of Positive Peer Mentoring"	p. 236
Conclusion	p. 241
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