Teaching at LSU
Source: morguefile.com
I have had the immense privilege of being able to teach one of the General Chemistry Labs (Chem 1212) for two semesters, and it has been an enlightening experience to be on the other side of the classroom. Teaching has given me a new perspective on what it is to be a student and a leader, and a new view of the university system as a whole. This experience has been amazing to watch how students progress across a period of time, and to know that you have actively helped in shaping their experiences. At first I was worried about the age difference: I am only two years older than my average student, and I always have students that are older than me. But I have found out that truly knowing the material, being able to easily communicate ideas in a clear and upbeat way, and maintaining high standards of behavior in class as a matter of routine completely washes away any age discrepancies. It gives me hope that I can be just as effective as an authority figure in a career where I will be, most often, the youngest person in the room.