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gordon mackenzie
May 2009 
I think I've found my calling
Posted on Mar 9th, 2008
by 
Mark Jordan
Mark Jordan
Today a friend shared with me Dr. Randy Pausch's final lecture at Carnegie Mellon University. If you want to watch it, I wholeheartedly invite you to head over to youtube and watch. He gave a shortened version on the Oprah show, but to really understand the impact this man (who is about my age) has had on so very many people, watch the whole thing. It's in 11 or so parts (beginning with Part 0).
It was about halfway through this journey that I realized that I was never really cut out to be a corporate executive. Or even a marketing consultant. That's never really been my calling, even though that's what I've done for the past 25 years. My calling is teaching.
When my kids were young, I became a soccer coach so I could share something I loved with them. But the thing that always made it even more special for me was when it clicked for the kid whose parents made them be there. When the girl who had been a stalwart on defense scored her first goal, turned and ran over and hugged me. When the boy who was always wrong learned to simply flush his mistakes, and keep going.
Maybe as cool as that was seeing the impact that it had on their parents. I remember one sixth-grade girl, who had never played sports, just couldn't kick the ball to save her life. So I spent one two-hour practice kneeling at her feet, training her feet to do what her mind kept preventing. In the second half of the last game of the season, she got the ball and kicked it with all her might. The ball hit the goalie, then trickled in. And despite the fact that we were already leading that game by a couple of goals, the team swarmed her. It was as though she had scored the game-winning goal, in overtime, of the championships. The next season, her dad joined the board of directors of the local AYSO.
I took classes to become an art docent for my kids' elementary school. Before each class, I remembered the words of Gordon MacKenzie (former Hallmark creative director and author of the book, "Orbiting the Giant Hairball"). "Only you can paint your own Mona Lisa." He said that when you ask a kindergarten class, "How many of you are artists?" almost every hand goes up. But by third grade, all the kids point to one or two kids in the back of the class. Thanks to Gordon MacKenzie, I saw my job as cultivating and empowering the artist in each kid.
I still love to teach. Last year, I taught my daughter how to write engaging argumentative essays at Chili's (her favorite restaurant) for her AP Art History class. This year I'm doing the same with my son for his film class. And I look forward to Monday nights for that reason.
You see, this is what I love to do. I love to teach. I love to share my joy and passion with others. I realized during Professor Pausch's last lecture that maybe there's something more important than just making a living.
It's making a difference.
It was about halfway through this journey that I realized that I was never really cut out to be a corporate executive. Or even a marketing consultant. That's never really been my calling, even though that's what I've done for the past 25 years. My calling is teaching.
When my kids were young, I became a soccer coach so I could share something I loved with them. But the thing that always made it even more special for me was when it clicked for the kid whose parents made them be there. When the girl who had been a stalwart on defense scored her first goal, turned and ran over and hugged me. When the boy who was always wrong learned to simply flush his mistakes, and keep going.
Maybe as cool as that was seeing the impact that it had on their parents. I remember one sixth-grade girl, who had never played sports, just couldn't kick the ball to save her life. So I spent one two-hour practice kneeling at her feet, training her feet to do what her mind kept preventing. In the second half of the last game of the season, she got the ball and kicked it with all her might. The ball hit the goalie, then trickled in. And despite the fact that we were already leading that game by a couple of goals, the team swarmed her. It was as though she had scored the game-winning goal, in overtime, of the championships. The next season, her dad joined the board of directors of the local AYSO.
I took classes to become an art docent for my kids' elementary school. Before each class, I remembered the words of Gordon MacKenzie (former Hallmark creative director and author of the book, "Orbiting the Giant Hairball"). "Only you can paint your own Mona Lisa." He said that when you ask a kindergarten class, "How many of you are artists?" almost every hand goes up. But by third grade, all the kids point to one or two kids in the back of the class. Thanks to Gordon MacKenzie, I saw my job as cultivating and empowering the artist in each kid.
I still love to teach. Last year, I taught my daughter how to write engaging argumentative essays at Chili's (her favorite restaurant) for her AP Art History class. This year I'm doing the same with my son for his film class. And I look forward to Monday nights for that reason.
You see, this is what I love to do. I love to teach. I love to share my joy and passion with others. I realized during Professor Pausch's last lecture that maybe there's something more important than just making a living.
It's making a difference.
Access: PublicTagged with: Randy Pausch, last lecture, teaching, life, love, passion, soccer, mona lisa, Gordon MacKenzie
I love this blog. Recently, I have been going through similar changes. The younger me was made to believe being X was preferable to being Y. Now, I am realizing it is important to just be myself.
I think you would be a lovely teacher. Your way of experessing yourself is compelling. Thanks for sharing this part of yourself.
I agree with Michele, you would be a fantastic teacher! Go for it, my friend– so many lives could be changed for the better if we all saw the lightness between “making a living” and “making a difference.”
You guys just made me all… well… let's just say my allergies are acting up (dammit). Thank you. I'm deeply humbled.
Nice blog entry (as always). :) I'm a teacher and I really see that you have the qualities that are necessary, including patience and genuine caring. Are you thinking about changing careers? I hope so…I think you'd be a great teacher!
I am thinking of changing careers. Actually, I start teaching at the local state university in the fall as an adjunct professor. I'd love to get my MFA so I could become a full-fledged professor somewhere, especially once my daughter graduates high school next year and there's little to keep me here.
Those are beautiful words…you capture the very essence of teaching. You should pursue this and share your gift with others!
Randy Pausch inspired me too, a very moving lecture. We just have to remember, it isn't just Randy who is terminally ill, we all will have the same conclusion and should live each day as such.
You should consider signing up for some education classes, with your previous degrees and life experience it shouldn't take you long to get certified!
Peace on the journey.
Thanks.