I come from a family of teachers and preachers. My great great grandfather (who was a preacher) co-founded Wood College in Mathiston. His daughter was a college professor. Her daughter taught kindergarten. So did my mom’s mom. Mom taught art. My sister teaches history. My aunt teaches math. My cousin talks about having the heart of a teacher. My wife (who has a huge heart) teaches elementary school art.
There are a lot of teachers in my family.
But not me. I liked being the uncle not the parent — I could zip in a class, be funny man and zip out.
This fall, I’m teaching a Social Media class at Jackson State University. Teaching Social Media to college students is like teaching a school of fish to swim — they have been doing it from birth. I wish I had all my family’s teaching super powers. I’m sure my class does, too.
I’m learning as I go.
Let me tell you this, though: It’s a most rewarding experience. Oh sure, there are days when my students roll their eyes at me. And sometimes I roll mine right back. But there are moments — moments when I connect. It’s those moments that energize me. I had one of those moments today. I watched one of my students show off (rightfully) her YouTube Channel. She’s doing amazing work. It made me want to try new things and grow.
The energy in the classroom flowed both ways.
My career is changing by the second. My students’ will, too. It’s that energy that will propel all of us through these changes.
I’ve learned one thing from the experience: Sometimes the teacher can be the student.