Published: October 1, 1995

Natural Born Teacher

I recently received the greatest and most unexpected compliment of my teaching career. Before class, one of my more problematic students approached my desk and abruptly announced, "You're a born teacher.'' Or was it, "a boring teacher''? Either way, it got me thinking: Is there such a thing as a born teacher? And if so, am I one?

My first experience as a disciplinarian came when I was 5 years old with our family dog, Smokey. Each time Smokey urinated on the living room carpet, my father dragged him to the yellow puddle and swatted his nose. Then I went to Smokey and patted his head, telling him he was a good boy. As a result of my sympathy, the dog vandalized our home for years.

I commanded a schoolroom only five years later, in the 4th grade. My teacher placed me, the class treasurer, in charge when she left the room. Her instructions were simple: While the class worked on a math assignment, I was to write down the name of anyone who talked. Five minutes after she left, a boy called me to his desk. "How do you do...