Sometimes I wonder if I should be a teacher.

When I listen (or read) Erin's stories, for example- her enthusiasm for teaching is infectious. My biggest goal in life is simply to make a big difference in people's lives the way she does on a daily basis.

My encounters with teaching have also left a positive impression on me. Just in the last few months, for example, I've given swimming lessons, a lecture on Fred Astaire, and a class on Swing dancing. There is nothing quite like the thrill of watching people as they learn something new and their faces light up with excitement, or delight, or fascination. When you're able to impart your own passion for something to other people- that's when it really pays off. To have them come up to you and tell you how much they enjoyed the lesson and how much they learnt, and how they'd love to learn some more is icing on the cake. Delicious chocolate frosted icing, but icing nonetheless.

The flip side, though (and this is where my neuroses and paranoia surface) is that I've only taught to people who were voluntarily there. People who either paid to learn, and came out of an already existing curiosity, or who came because they knew of my passion and knew I'd do my best to communicate it. Those people are easy to teach. What happens when you face a classroom full of students who are unwillingly there, whose sole objective is to get through the class and get out so they can go pursue their own interests? How well would I be able to communicate my passion to them? Would I find myself worn down by the crushing prospect of a daily battle between my irresistible enthusiasm and their immovable minds?

Looming larger in my consideration, of course, is that I'd rather impact a greater group of people than just one class at a time. My impact may be more diluted, but I'm hoping that quantity will overwhelm quality. That's why I'm applying to study Public Policy. If I don't get into the courses I want, perhaps teaching is something I should consider, if only for a short while.