Coming out of the woodwork to share a spirit-lifting update. I’m proud of all my former students, some of whom are today holding significant positions across the United States and around the world (Yes, I have been around the block awhile). But as the Sun sets on southeast Texas today, my pride in my former students has gone even a notch higher.
I’m on the verge of having my first academic offspring so to speak, and I can’t hold back my joy. A former undergraduate student of mine (now a remarkable early career scholar) is interviewing for a tenure-track faculty position at a relatively large U.S. university. I’m crossing my fingers that she goes down in history as my first former undergraduate student – as far as I’m aware – to go onto grad school, earn a PhD, and secure a tenure-track faculty position.
But that’s not all. This remarkable early career scholar – who I’m extremely proud of – confided in me that she will be getting married soon. While that in itself is exciting for obvious reasons, what’s more exciting was learning that she met her fiancé in my class. Basically, my class brought two wonderful humans together who are about to embark on a lifelong journey that will see them spending the rest of their lives together. Talk of positive unintended consequences of teaching at the university.
Trust me, even the most ardent of all capitalists can’t put a dollar value on the joy I feel inside. Simply, priceless.
Please cross your fingers for this remarkable early career scholar to land the tenure-track job she is interviewing for. Thank you.
The Joy of Teaching at the University
