Learning While Teaching

Today I participated in our internship program for high school kids. We usually have 2-3 Sophomore-Aged children come in and are taught the rigours of law. I had the unenviable task of teaching the young boy and girl Force Majeure and Waiver of Jury Trial. Two issues which I know but at the same time don’t really know. So I boned up on the topics last night to prepare myself for today. I studied case law and statutes, thinking of various questions that may be posed to me and the answers I needed to come up with. Armed with my laptop, legal pad, notes and a strong cup of iced coffee, I went into the conference room that has been designated their office.

Kids these days, I don’t know if it cause they have more opportunities and information at their disposal and fingertips, but they seem to know a lot. They also ask great questions. I do not think I was close to where the kids of today are at that age. One was dressed in a little suit and had a seriousness that I often don’t see in high school students. The other was relaxed and at ease with the information I was about to pass onto them. They asked great questions and watched every movement I made and what I explained to them. They asked about law. About the difference between overruled cases and distinguished cases. Various courts and legal jurisdictions around the country. I imparted as much wisdom as I had on the subject matter. While my allotted time was only 1 1/2 hours, the time went quickly. Before I knew it the next presentation was set to come in. Before I left, the two young adults asked for my business card and asked if they can email me questions. I assured them that they could and went back to my world.

It is when I am able to instruct that I realize deep down how much I want to teach. I love being able to guide and mold minds with knowledge I picked up from various colleges and universities as well as life experiences. To see how students soak in the information and I hope, be able to find use of it, makes me smile. One day I will go into teaching is what I tell myself. Make that some day.