Longstanding senior center class provides more than just education
Dr. Elijah Levy has taught the American Cultural Experience class for over 23 years. (Photos by Alex Dominguez)
NORWALK - Tucked in a little side room of the Norwalk Senior Center, Dr. Elijah Levy lectures a class on Native American creation myths. It is just one of many lessons he has taught over the course of 23 years.
Levy, 66, teaches the American Cultural Experience Class every Thursday and Friday during the Cerritos College semesters, to a room full of eager seniors anxious to learn, and provide their own insight.
Though his background and much of his career has been spent in psychology, Levy began teaching 31 years ago.
“My first teaching job was at the University of Athens,” said Levy. “About 23 years ago, I got hired by Cerritos College in the older adult program, it’s called the OWL program: Older, Wiser Learner.”
After teaching at Redlands, Levy said he wanted to “teach more.”
“I said, ‘Well, this will be different; I’m teaching older adults,’” said Levy. “I knew, again, this population, this demographic was underserved.
“A lot of older adults are managing a lot of health decline as they age. They’re losing their partners, and they’re searching for more in the second half of life.”
Upon his hire with Cerritos College, he was assigned to Norwalk, Cerritos, and La Mirada Senior Centers. He still teaches at Norwalk and Cerritos, however La Mirada’s class has since folded.
“I love teaching older adults,” said Levy. “They’ve taught me a lot; how to deal with loss, and all the difficult challenges you have to make as you age.”
“I love working with them, and I have been able to pull a lot out of them.”
Norwalk’s class opened with the Senior Center. Over the years, it has covered a plethora of subject matter, from myths and legends, to philosophy and psychology, to literature, creative writing, memoir writing, cultural diversity, and beyond.
Levy says his students “are curious and want to learn.”
“They’re hungry for it,” said Levy. “So, when I get that, I’ve got to feel that need. They’ve never said, ‘No, I don’t want to study that.’”
But more than just academics, the course has become a source of stimulation and support for those involved.
“This group has really become a secure base for them. This is their emotional refueling group,” said Levy. “They become really tight, supportive of each other. It’s like an anchor, and like a life line for them. I can’t ever see myself leaving.”
And just as much as each student gleans to one another, so too do they to their instructor.
Ann M. Romero, 86, has been in the class for 23 years. She was originally recruited to join by her sister, an original student.
“I came to one class, and I was sold. It was so interesting,” said Romero. “[Levy] brings out the best in everyone…He includes everyone, and he’s a beautiful man.”
Christina Iacovelli, 94, has been Levy’s student “since day one.” She too, shares the sentiments of her classmate.
“He’s such a great man,” said Iacovelli. “I feel like I raised him; he was only 40 when he started. I feel like he’s one of my kids.
“He’s great. He’s so generous, kind-hearted. He’s very caring of all of us. He really treats us like family.”
Levy chalks it up to “making an investment” in the lives of his pupils.
“There are instructors who will make an investment in your development, and I tend to be that way,” said Levy. “I’m not better than anybody else, I don’t want to devalue anybody, but that’s just me. I want to make an investment in your life, especially now when you’re 80 or 90.
“I want them to know that. I want them to know that this matters to me, and that you matter to me…Honestly, the relationships I have with them may be more therapeutic than all the learning we do. If I can make you feel like you matter when you come, if I deliver, if I said I was going to bring you a book and I bring it, that means you must think and care about me. And that’s just who I am.”