I said I'd never become a teacher...

I distinctly remember a conversation I had with my high school music teacher. She was not just a instructor, but a friend and mentor. I recall her asking me what I'd like to be when I grew up. After a few moments of explaining my life's dreams to her, with a smile, Ms. V said, "I think you're going to be a teacher." Mortified, I replied, "No way!" Really, I had no desire to be a teacher. I'm not sure if it was the fact that they earned less than just about anyone I knew or if it was the idea of dealing with obnoxious, immature kids or what. Either way, I knew I wasn't going to be a teacher!

Well, (big surprise) Ms. V turned out to be right. I am a teacher. Okay, okay... while not a teacher specifically by profession, I have been a teacher in so many different ways. I was a teacher already in high school, tutoring a girl in my English class. I have been a teacher in Relief Society (the women's organization) at Church for a year. I was a teacher in so many capacities, as a full-time proselyting missionary for a year and a half in Lithuania. I was a piano teacher on my mission! I was a teacher of Gospel Doctrine for more than two years. I was a teacher for two years as I was Relief Society President, a calling, from which I was released just a few months ago! I am a teacher every day in my job, teaching people how to be better employees and better people so they can progress in their careers. HR is all about teaching and training. Most recently, I have been called as Primary Chorister in my new ward. Now, if that's not teaching, I don't know what is.

If only I'd understood what Ms. V knew at that time: We all learn and we all teach. We may not alway choose the group or the student. We may not realize we've taught, but our influence is always felt. And I've learned that being a teacher isn't so bad after all. In fact, it's a great learning experience, and quite rewarding.

Photo found here.