When I was a little kid, I wanted to be a teacher. Like many other girls, I taught a class of invisible students. I'd make handouts, lecture, develop tests, discipline the unruly children, and keep a grade book. I loved teaching.
When I was a big kid, in graduate school, I was a teaching assistant. Whereas the professor taught the large lecture classes, I taught a subset of the students in weekly breakout sections. I loved teaching.
When I got out into the real world, I obtained an Adjunct Faculty position at Mesa Community College and later at the College of Lake County, teaching accounting and tax classes. I continued to love teaching.
In 2006, I moved to Seattle and began a Ph.D. program at the University of Washington. I wanted to be involved in academic research, focusing on the valuation of intangibles. But more importantly, I wanted to teach. (Aside: I dropped out of the PhD program. It wasn't for me. It was the best mistake I ever made, though, as I can't imagine how I would otherwise have been exposed to the wonderful Pacific Northwest.) Though I have since become somewhat disenchanted by formal education, I still loved teaching.
Not too long ago, a little light turned on in my head, and I thought to myself, "Why don't I teach a class on bicycle touring? I can't think of a more wonderful way to combine my passions for teaching and touring!" Bingo!
I proposed to teach a class called "The Basics of Bicycle Touring" to both the University of Washington's Experimental College and North Seattle Community College's Continuing Education Program. My proposals were accepted, the interviews went well, and I was given the green light to teach the class. Woohoo!
I have really enjoyed the classes I have taught thus far. I look forward to developing new courses that combine my love for teaching with the knowledge, experiences, and enthusiasm I have gained for various passions in my life.