Who is YOUR "special teacher?"
I am on the Boards of a couple of education-related groups (an educational foundation and an entrepreneurship program in an urban high school). I also just signed on to be a mentor to a high school senior. And I was just invited to attend a reunion of people who graduated the New York City schools. Of course, "Waiting for Superman" just premiered and everyone is abuzz about the state of education in our country. I spend a lot of time around wooden desks and metal lockers these days.
Yvette Levy was my 5th grade teacher. She was smart, fun, and wisecracking (without ever being cruel). She was the first teacher I ever had who treated kids with respect. She encouraged my love of reading and writing. I was a shy girl and she built-up my self-esteem. She was loved by all (or at least most). On the flip side, my second grade teacher (Mrs. H.) was cruel and forbidding. I must have learned something that year, but I remember being mostly frightened. (In fact, she was so evil that one of my classmates -- who grew up to be a Seinfeld producer -- "killed her off" in an episode.) She held morning inspections, where kids were hauled out and publicly scolded for having dirty shoes or fingernails.
So, what does any of this have to do with business? As we get older, we still have "teachers" in our lives. Colleagues, conference speakers, supervisors, and even peers -- people who impart new information and encouragement. Our favorite teachers are like the people we loved in school -- patient, witty, accessible, and yet tough when they need to be. Great teachers inspire us to learn new things and overcome our fears. When we "fail a test," they help us get the right kind of tutoring. They build self-esteem and spirit and passions, not crush them.
As many of us boomers manage "new boomers" at work, we struggle with how to be good teachers -- how to be respected but not feared...how to impart our wisdom to the next generation without being preachy...how to inspire and illuminate and leave a legacy of sorts. When I speak at conferences, I try to stick around "after class" and answer questions and provide encouragement. I want to be remembered in a blog some day as an inspiration -- not killed-off on network TV!
Yup, teaching is really tough work. I'm glad I didn't go into it as a full-time gig. But the people who do it well are still my heroes. And, Mrs. Levy -- wherever you are these days -- you deserve a really big, red, shiny apple!