I spend a lot of time on this website discussing students' inappropriate behavior and how to handle this. It was refreshing to get this email yesterday...
Dear Dr. Kirk:
Have you ever had a class move you so much that you actually choked up the last class period? In 13 years of teaching, that’s never happened…until today. My MBA class on Leadership this semester has been nothing short of spectacular. We did our presentations (theme: how will you change because of this class) this weekend. Thirty-eight of the highest quality presentations I’ve ever heard grad students give…these folks are going to change the world. About a quarter of the class have quit their jobs or begun a career search because of the content of this course. I had a student today (woman approaching 50, divorced, raised two sons by herself, been at the same company for 20 years, always just did what she needed to do to survive) who announced that she had applied for a job in New Mexico where she’s really wanted to live…because of this class. She elicited the first standing ovation from her peers I’ve ever witnessed in 13 years of teaching. In my closing comments, I actually got choked up and teared up a bit (nothing compared to what happened later when I was alone in my office). I know I’ve had an impact on students before, but never on this large of a scale.
I’m still flying from the experience in class. I’ve received many wonderful and heartfelt emails from students since class was dismissed yesterday. Here's an example:
"We’re all in debt to you for the atmosphere you created. Leadership may be about leading others, but first you have to lead yourself in the right direction. I have never been able to say that for myself until now. THANK YOU, Professor, for such a phenomenal experience."
All I can say is WOW! This is what teaching is all about...
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