About the Instructor

Hello. My name is Mrs. Camille Graff.  I have been teaching for Barstow College since August 2000. Before that I taught elementary school for about three years. I LOVE teaching! Let me give you a little information about myself.

I never planned on going to college. Oh yeah, maybe after I was married and was done raising my children, but my goal was to be married right out of high school.

I started college at Victor Valley Community College. My mom and sister had been attending for about a year, and so I started taking classes with them. My first semester I calculated what it would take in each class to get by with a grade of a C. (I wasn’t aiming too high). But after the semester I had earned two C’s and two A’s! It was after that first semester that I decided I really enjoyed school and wanted to earn my bachelor’s degree. As I was taking classes I hadn’t decided on a major, but knew I did not want to take any Psychology classes. My mom and sister had taken one and it seemed so hard! So I took Sociology instead. I found that I loved Sociology.

When I transferred to Cal State University, San Bernardino, I choose math as my major. My major changed a few times before I settled for a major in sociology because the classes were never closed because of over enrollment. During this time I also married my husband.

Toward the end of my degree I had to opportunity to do an internship as a social worker with Child Protective Services. After twenty weeks of feeling what it was like to be a social worker, I decided that it was something I did not want to do. I was working full time at CSUSB and they were paying for my college, so I decided to just continue with my education. I enrolled in the counseling and guidance program for a couple of unimportant reasons. First, my sister was in a similar program, second, the program seemed easy, and third, it would allow me to work in public schools, which is a field that always is open.

As I started the program I found out a few things. First, the program wasn’t easy. Second, the program required quiet a bit of self exploration and self understanding. Third, I loved the field. Even though there were many challenges I faced while getting my degree, I thoroughly enjoyed learning about and practicing all aspects of counseling.

During the time I was getting my masters I quit working at CSUSB and began teaching second grade at a school in the Snowline District (Phelan, CA). A year and a half later I became pregnant with my daughter.

I started teaching part time after she was born. I had put off finishing my masters for about a year while I was taking courses for the teacher credential program, but I realized that I needed to finish my masters degree. I didn’t want to say, "I am only four classes away from my masters" for the rest of my life. So with working part time and having a young baby, I finished the last of my classes, which involved counseling at various schools. By the time I was ready to take the comprehensive exams to get my masters, I found out I was pregnant with my son. Surprise! Then, while pregnant with my third child I decided to go back and get a second bachelors degree.

So this is the main reason I teach instead of counsel. I have a daughter who is eight, a son who is six, a daughter who is five, another daughter who is two, and a three month old baby girl. Teaching college allows me the opportunity to do two things I love; raise my children and teach!

I counseled directly with children, adolescents, and adults in various settings for about 500 hours during my masters program. I also worked for BCC-Fort Irwin as a counselor for two months during a high enrollment period. After my children are all in school I plan on working toward a second masters degree in something! I love school and am always seeking to expand my knowledge and skills.

I currently live in Oceanside, CA. Our family moved here in December of 2001 when my husband bought a health care business. I love the weather and all of the variety of events that are available in the San Diego area.

I hope you will enjoy this class as much as I enjoy teaching it.

Degrees and Credentials:
Associate of Arts-Victor Valley College.
Bachelor of Arts-Cal State University, San Bernardino-Major-Sociology; emphasis in Social Work
Certificate in Social Work.
Bachelor of Science-Park University-Major-Social Psychology
Master of Science-Cal State University, San Bernardino-Major-Counseling and Guidance
PPS Credential