If you’ve taken a class from Senior Planet Colorado, it is likely you already know the magic Wanda Woods brings to her job as Senior Planet trainer.
But behind the scenes, Wanda is even more impressive. Besides being the second trainer hired at Senior Planet Colorado, she balances a full-time job as a data reporting analyst, and a small computer training business she’s owned for 10 years and a passion for camping around the States with her children and grandchildren.
We spoke with Wanda as a part of our new “Meet the Trainer” series for seniorplanet.org.
What do you get out of being a Senior Planet trainer?
I’m a senior myself, so I like the idea of helping other seniors stay connected or helping them overcome that fear of technology. As I teach more classes, I’m finding people are starting to feel more comfortable because they are asking questions they probably wouldn’t have asked before.
That’s what I like – I just like to help.
Do you have any favorite classes to teach?
I particularly like teaching people how to save money and find other ways to be resourceful. So I like teaching Money Matters. I also like teaching Streaming and Smart TVs (example of the course, although not taught by Wanda, is here). My family just experienced cutting the chord and I have a lot of insight regarding that!
“I’m a senior myself, so I like the idea of helping other seniors stay connected or helping them overcome that fear of technology.”
What are you teaching? Online or In-person?
I’m doing both. I’m at the Lowry Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays (the Center is open for walk-ins Monday through Friday!). And the rest of the week I’m online. For any early birds, one of my first classes on Mondays and Fridays is 7am MDT!
What do you like to do outside of work?
My family likes to camp – we do it all summer long. We just got back from Mt. Rushmore! And we have Wi-Fi in the camper, so it is a home away from home. One Monday I had a lecture, so I did the lecture from the campsite, and it worked out!
What does Aging with Attitude mean to you?
It means you’re free to do what you want to do. That can-do spirit. Or maybe even better… the want-to-do spirit.
You can now visit Wanda in-person at our Senior Planet Center in Lowry on Tuesdays and Thursdays! Or stop in any day Monday through Friday for a tour, tech-help or just a friendly chat. Click here to learn more!
Pam Hugi is Senior Planet’s Community and Advocacy Manager. Based in Brooklyn, she runs Senior Planet’s Supporter program in addition to being a contributing writer for this site. She can be reached at supporters@seniorplanet.org.
