Meet the Trainer: David Slapak
Before joining the Senior Planet Miami team in January 2024 as a technology trainer, David Slapak spent years teaching English as a second language in South Korea and Turkey.
Two years into his tenure at Senior Planet, we caught up with David to talk about the importance of never giving up when learning something new and his plethora of hobbies outside of work.
What is your favorite part of being a Senior Planet trainer?
The best part is witnessing individuals, or even better, groups, take charge of their own learning journey. When students arrive early, maintain consistency, and truly embrace the spirit of learning, they can cultivate new habits and routines. Essentially, they begin to teach themselves. As a trainer, my goal is to empower my students to take ownership of their learning process.
Is there a piece of advice you find yourself sharing a lot?
Too many, actually. I’ll try to pick the most useful one. I guess that would have to be “never give up.” No matter how frustrated you feel with technology, just keep coming back to class. If you learn even one thing today, consider it a victory. Aim to learn one more thing tomorrow, and next week, try to learn two things each day. Before you know it,you’ll be on the right path.
What makes Miami a special place?
The traffic, maybe. Just kidding! The real charm lies in the diverse cultures that thrive in the greater Miami area. I love witnessing people from different backgrounds interacting and learning from one another. Additionally, there’s the nightlife, the food, and, of course, the beach.
What are some of your hobbies outside of work?
I’m into all sorts of stuff. Cats, heavy metal, basketball, video games, traveling, astronomy, billiards, fitness, chess, history, psychology, film, cooking… I know a little bit about a lot of things. I consider myself a very curious person, and I think I learn something every day. Maybe “learning” is my full-time hobby.
What does Aging with Attitude mean to you?
It means that we don’t allow ourselves to be affected by the stigma of aging. The process of aging is something every person needs to learn to embrace. We all have to age, so we face it head-on.
Photo: Selfie of David Slapak
Pam Hugi is Senior Planet’s Community and Advocacy Manager. Based in Brooklyn, she is a contributing writer for this site.
Before joining the Senior Planet Miami team in January 2024 as a technology trainer, David Slapak spent years teaching English as a second language in South Korea and Turkey.
Two years into his tenure at Senior Planet, we caught up with David to talk about the importance of never giving up when learning something new and his plethora of hobbies outside of work.
What is your favorite part of being a Senior Planet trainer?
The best part is witnessing individuals, or even better, groups, take charge of their own learning journey. When students arrive early, maintain consistency, and truly embrace the spirit of learning, they can cultivate new habits and routines. Essentially, they begin to teach themselves. As a trainer, my goal is to empower my students to take ownership of their learning process.
Is there a piece of advice you find yourself sharing a lot?
Too many, actually. I’ll try to pick the most useful one. I guess that would have to be “never give up.” No matter how frustrated you feel with technology, just keep coming back to class. If you learn even one thing today, consider it a victory. Aim to learn one more thing tomorrow, and next week, try to learn two things each day. Before you know it,you’ll be on the right path.
What makes Miami a special place?
The traffic, maybe. Just kidding! The real charm lies in the diverse cultures that thrive in the greater Miami area. I love witnessing people from different backgrounds interacting and learning from one another. Additionally, there’s the nightlife, the food, and, of course, the beach.
What are some of your hobbies outside of work?
I’m into all sorts of stuff. Cats, heavy metal, basketball, video games, traveling, astronomy, billiards, fitness, chess, history, psychology, film, cooking… I know a little bit about a lot of things. I consider myself a very curious person, and I think I learn something every day. Maybe “learning” is my full-time hobby.
What does Aging with Attitude mean to you?
It means that we don’t allow ourselves to be affected by the stigma of aging. The process of aging is something every person needs to learn to embrace. We all have to age, so we face it head-on.
Photo: Selfie of David Slapak
Pam Hugi is Senior Planet’s Community and Advocacy Manager. Based in Brooklyn, she is a contributing writer for this site.
