Today I taught my final marketing class of the quarter at SAA, marking the conclusion of my first attempt at teaching. I am so incredibly grateful to have been given the opportunity teach. I have to tell you that I have a whole new respect for teachers. In my best English I can emphatically state that “it ain’t easy.” Holding the attention of a group of people for hours, week after week is challenging. Knowing something well enough to explain it clearly to someone takes a lot of patience, preparation, and work. Grading papers, juggling schedules, preparing lessons, lecturing, leading discussion, sharing knowledge, and trying to make a difference, if even a slight one, is far more difficult than I ever imagined… Luckily it is far more rewarding too.
I want to thank my students, all of whom are simply amazing people. I can’t wait to see the great things that they are going to go on to accomplish in the years ahead. I hope they don’t forget about me when they are rich and famous. It’s safe to say most of them were not all that excited about Marketing or ever thought much about it when the class began. Through the course of the quarter they worked hard, learned, and ultimately delivered some excellent marketing strategy projects for our client. Going in to the final presentation, I think I was an nervous as they were. In the end, they dazzled the client, showed a real grasp of marketing strategy, presented a wide range of exceptionally creative ideas and made me proud. The hour of watching all of you present to our client was simply magical. It was a gift to watch your brilliance on display. Thank You!
Thanks to Norm, Jessica, Nathan, Matt, and everyone at SAA who made my first attempt at teaching possible and successful. I am so proud and humbled to be a small part of such an incredible institution. SAA is a remarkable place, filled with passionate instructors and talented students. I can’t say enough good things about the special people there. Thanks for letting me join the family.
So, now it’s time to get back to the normal routine until the next adventure presents itself. Life is a series if experiences. This one goes is the awesome column. Hopefully I’ll be back for an encore performance in the future. Until then, class dismissed!
