Mentoring

Having spent most of my life teaching -- in fact, my entire professional life has consisted of teaching in one form or another -- I'm always excited to help others get into the field. I know people define success in different ways, and certainly teaching will never lead to great financial gains. But for those who truly have a passion to share knowledge, nothing can match teaching or training for a career choice, regardless of the economic repercussions. Simply knowing information isn't what you need to teach. If you've ever been at the front of a classroom or training room, you already know that. Of course, you have to know what you're talking about, but good teaching comes from a place separate from knowledge. It's in your heart and, while certainly it can be developed and honed, it can't be learned in the traditional sense. No matter how many theory of education classes you take, nothing will prepare you for being in the classroom like actually being in the classroom does.

My son's girlfriend has just started an MA program in graphic design, and she wants to teach. When we went out to dinner tonight -- in an early celebration of my son's birthday -- she had many questions for me about getting started in teaching. I love that she wants to do this, as opposed to working in the corporate world (which is what she's doing now) where she can make more money but arguably less of a difference. I'm happy to help her get started and offered up many suggestions, some that are pragmatic in nature and others that will actually put her in touch with people who can give her immediate opportunities. Some days I think that I wouldn't wish a career in teaching on my worst enemy, but most days it's wonderful. Just when I think I've had all I can take, a student has a "light-bulb" moment or tells me how I've changed his or her life. The money will never be enough -- which is why I always refer to my other jobs -- but the gratification that comes from those moments is beyond any salary I could receive for doing what I do. To be able to usher someone else into that world is a great privilege.