Think “prison” and a lot of words probably come to mind.
Scary. Bleak. Depressing.
For Stephen Palmer, who teaches Human Resources Development courses behind the walls of Anson Correctional Intuition, a whole different set of adjectives come to mind.
“I love it,” he said. “The students want to learn, and it’s an honor to teach them.”
Get to know more about Palmer, a former IT specialist turned teacher, who has a newfound passion for teaching incarcerated individuals.
You’re 58 years old. What did you do before you began teaching for South Piedmont?
I have always been in IT. I was a teenager in high school when computers first came out. I thought they were amazing, and I dove right into it. I learned everything I could about computers. I was the only person on my block with a computer. I actually went to a tech school in Connecticut to learn mechanical drafting, but right about that time, Computer Aided Design (CAD) came out. My first job was in CAD, but because I was always good with computers, I ended up working in programming, databases, networking, and in an IT helpdesk job.
Your IT work spanned several employers. What were some of the positions you had before you became a teacher?
I worked for a company that made computer chips, another that made medical devices, and another that made emergency lighting. Right before I started teaching at South Piedmont, I was working for Wells Fargo in Charlotte on their internal fraud prevention team.
And just to be clear, you never formally studied IT. You were self-taught, is that right?
That’s right. I’ve always been a workaholic. That’s just how I was raised. You work nights, weekends, whatever you have to do to get the job done.
How did you end up working as a teacher for South Piedmont?
I didn’t have a college degree, and I knew my two children were going to turn to me one day and say, “You didn’t go to college, and you survived, so why should I go?” So, back before the pandemic, I started taking classes at South Piedmont. At first, I took adult education classes, then I ended up getting my associate degree in Computer Information Systems. By that time, I already knew I loved teaching because in my work in IT, I often had to teach people in the organizations where I worked how to use different software applications. I found it very fulfilling. One day I learned that South Piedmont was looking for a SolidWorks instructor. SolidWorks is a software for computer-aided design. Anyway, I applied, got the job, and I loved it. It was a fantastic classroom environment and experience. When COVID hit, that all slowed down.
But you were hooked on teaching, right?
Right. After the pandemic, I reached back out to South Piedmont because I really missed teaching. I started teaching Human Resources Development part-time at night, and again, I loved it. Then last year, a full-time position came open. There was only one catch: It was to teach in the prison. That part didn’t bother me at all. I started in May, and I have loved it ever since.
What do you teach in Human Resources Development classes, exactly?
We teach life skills. It’s an eight-week program. The students learn computer programs such as Microsoft Excel and Word, how to write a resume and cover letter, and soft skills that they’ll need to be successful in society after they’re released, such as how to have a positive attitude and talk to people.
Anson Correctional is a medium- and maximum-security facility for females. You’re working with people who’ve committed some very serious offenses. What is that like?
Yes, I do have some students in my class who are serving life sentences. These students may be in prison, but they want to learn as much as they can. They want to gain new skills. They’re very enthusiastic. Teachers want to help students who want to learn – it doesn’t matter if they’re in prison. They’re still students, and I’m their teacher.
Do you think your background uniquely qualifies you for this work?
Well, I didn’t have a college education until much later in life. I’m able to tell them – from my own experience — that there is still plenty of time to change your life. You can always learn new things, advance your education, go to college. Also, my work experience taught me the importance of basic things, like showing up on time, doing what you’re told, and having a positive attitude, so I can teach them those things from my own experience.
What has teaching in the prison taught you?
You can never assume anything. Some of these students don’t know what a resume is. Or a cover letter. I have learned to keep things very basic and not make any assumptions about the knowledge they bring into class.
What’s a good day for you at Anson Correctional?
Well, I have had two students tell me I’m the best teacher they ever had. I don’t know if that’s true or not, but I appreciated it. I treat them with respect, and I work hard to always make my classes better. My hope is that they’re successful in class, they leave prison, they lead productive lives after my class, and they don’t come back to prison. It’s about helping them get back on their feet. That’s what I’m working for every day.
South Piedmont’s Human Resources Development program provides education and training for individual success in the workplace.