I never meant to teach high school. I've performed, stage managed and acted all over the world. "Never." That's what I told anyone who asked me if I wanted to teach. I was committed to that "Never."
Until a young man (16 years old) approached me and said he'd never had anyone teach him about acting and that's all he wanted to learn. Could I come and teach at his high school until he graduated that Spring? When I went in to interview, the Principal said he'd never hired anyone on the spot before me. He retired the year after I left. I taught on an Emergency Credential for 5 1/2 years, building the program from a handful of students and two classes to 5 classes and so many students I couldn't remember everyone's name.
I came to realize that anyone who has a true passion about life should teach. And if you don't have a passion? Look to a teacher to find one.
The two pictures above are Wendy Jones and Brian Sholley. Wendy is a senior at Santa Barbara. Brian begins Grad school this Fall in San Diego. They were students of mine my first year teaching, and all these years later I revel at what I have been taught by the two.
