Teaching is a special kind of work. If a student messes up you feel bad but, as long as you did what you could to help, it doesn't affect you like a failing employee does. And it's immensely gratifying when a student succeeds, especially if the student has been struggling.

One day this summer I ran into a young man on the street who stopped me to say he had been in my Introduction to Graphic Design class and that he was now a senior design major and loving it. It felt like I had helped set him on his path for a good life. What could be more rewarding?