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After returning from a trip to the South African school she built for girls to “have the opportunity to improve the quality of life for their sisters, and for  generations to come,” Oprah Winfrey confirmed via email to Pop Eater that she’ll be teaching a class at the Leadership Academy called “Life 101.”  Winfrey will instill in “her girls” all the lessons she wished some had passed on to her as a young woman.  “Should be fun since I love to teach. And they’re like sponges,” said the former talk show host. “Like 12th graders everywhere, this first class is both anxious and excited about going to college. Most will be the first in their family. So it’s a very big deal for them, and they’re feeling the pressure.”

PHOTOS: Oprah Winfrey’s Fabulous Farewell

Another pearl of wisdom Oprah mentioned came from comedian Chris Rock.  Winfrey explained, “When Chris Rock was last on the show he said, ‘real wealth is having options.’ I thought that was pretty profound.  I now stress to my girls that education prepares you to have options. Without it you have none.

“Just took a walk around the neighborhood watching sprinklers on the back lawn … (I love sprinklers) Made me think about the red dirt road I traveled from Mississippi (no sprinklers) to the here and now … And how that journey could have only been possible in the USA.”

Ahh Oprah.  Though you’re not with us every day via telly, your words continue to encourage us to keep on truckin.’