"Why I teach at Southwestern. . ."
As I teach here at Southwestern I have one purpose. That purpose is to cultivate new Christian writers. I hope that the future writers will bring Adventist publications a fresh voice and a new perspective. I feel I have been successful in two ways: both in encouraging some student writers, and in helping others find new direction, which might even mean pursuing a different major or new career goal.
Before I came to SWAU I was a book and magazine editor at Pacific Press, in Boise, Idaho. I was in a transitional period, and began looking for new challenges within the world of publishing. I sent my resume to Bob Mendenhall, chair of the communication department at SWAU. It just so happened that sometime later he needed someone and gave me a call. I believe God was working in that situation.
I enjoy teaching, and I don't look at it as a job. A job is a place where you actually do work! This is all fun and challenging to me. I get excited when my enthusiasm for a subject is transferred to my students, or when they get that light bulb experience.
I love teaching all of my courses, but I really appreciate the ones that challenge me, force me to work harder, and learn with my students. The difficult thing about being a teacher, is when I see my seniors graduate. I often wonder how I am going to replace their unique contributions to my classes. Then the new batch comes in and they all bring new, interesting viewpoints and the journey begins again.
My philosophy is: "Don't take life too seriously." I say that because we only have one life, so we need to enjoy it. We should never get so caught up in trying to be rich and successful, that we miss out on life.
I never thought that I would end up teaching in Texas, but here I am. I don't know how long I will stay at Southwestern, although I have no plans to leave. I have learned to just follow where the Lord leads.
