Meet the Trainer: Johnny Hernandez

Johnny Hernandez has been a Senior Planet trainer since 2019. We caught up with him to talk tech and what it’s like to reunite with his high school band decades later. 

What do you teach at Senior Planet? 

Just about everything! I’m doing hybrid: in-person at local senior centers and virtual. I’ve been lucky enough to help pilot some of our new offerings (like our TikTok demo) and have had the opportunity to work with discussion groups like the Lunch and Learn discussion group and the WACI (Windows, Android, Computers Internet) Group on Mondays. And I’m just ecstatic that I’m able to offer the drum circle once a month on the virtual calendar again this year. It’s usually on the third Tuesday of the month.

Want to join Johnny’s virtual drum circle on Zoom on January 16? Info is here! 

What are some of your favorite parts of the job? 

I love learning new things and being able to share that knowledge with others. But most of all, I love the rewarding feeling I get when a participant learns something new – even after just one hour of training – that helps them with their daily responsibilities.  

I’m able to relate a lot to what my students have involved in their lives seeing as I’m already a grandparent, I’m going to be 50 this year! 

“We can all age with attitude, at any age, because we’re constantly learning new things (technology or otherwise) that can make life easier.” 

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? 

I do a lot of writing, and some photography. Drumming is the biggest passion I have.  

Since my late teens I’ve worked with semi-professional bands and groups. Even to this day, I’m playing with some guys that I’ve known since high school. Our group is called The Shady Blades. In high school we were, of course, underage, but were getting booked to play at bars and parties. Now, we’re back together again! Not really doing the bar scene anymore though, we’re too old to play till 3am. But it’s the same group of guys as I knew back then, performing the same style of music we loved back then at public and private events.

What does Aging with Attitude mean to you? 

To me, it means rising above the stereotypes that a lot of older adults have to deal with. But we can all age with attitude, at any age, because we’re constantly learning new things (technology or otherwise) that can make life easier. 

YOUR TURN

Do you have a favorite trainer? Let us know in the comments!

Pam Hugi is Senior Planet’s Community and Advocacy Manager. Based in Brooklyn, she is a contributing writer for this site.