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How often do you ask someone why they are an (insert job title) or how they became interested in (insert career)? Maybe it is obvious because they talk about their passion at every opportunity, or the conversation seems to turn that way by the stories which are shared when together. Could be their approach or method or any number of things that give us clues, if we look hard enough. No one has a neon sign flashing above their heads that says ‘future XYZ’ and even if that were the case, life can put us on a very different track than planned. No matter how you choose to look at it, we influence each other every day. By story sharing, life choices, actions…this list goes on.
Do you remember when you asked the adults in your life ‘why’? That powerful word in our very young lives of trying to figure stuff out without any experience or context to place the answers into. A huge puzzle dumped on the floor, a jumble of shapes, colors, and no idea where to start. Our life puzzles are unique and continue to grow as we navigate the unknown and some known.
Teaching is how we are able to share our knowledge, experiences, and understanding at home, school, the workplace…anywhere. The next time a child or even an adult asks you ‘why,’ consider it a compliment and not a challenge or annoyance. They picked you. You are a reservoir of information, a unique perspective on the world. Share that. You could spark or ignite the next scientist, artist, mathematician, engineer, or technologist without even knowing it.