Teaching. Learning. Following

On Friday night, my wife and I attended the Baccalaureate Mass for our son Aaron who graduated from St. Mary’s University with a degree in Finance and Risk Management.

It’s weird to write that I graduated with a very similar degree from St. Mary’s back in 1990!

It seems like yesterday, but so much time has passed! Wow!

Leading the Mass was Fr. John, and although English is his primary language, his Spanish was impeccable, as he conducted the bilingual service to the graduates and families in attendance.

Teaching. Learning. Following.

Fr. John’s message to the graduating students centered around the framework of teaching, learning, and following.

He said [paraphrase] …

“As you know, commencement means a beginning or a start. While you have done a lot of work to get here, there is so much still ahead of you, which is so exciting.”

He continued, “Your professors, many of them in attendance here tonight, have taught you the subject matter, and it’s obvious that you have learned so much of this knowledge. The next step is to follow what has been shared with you. It’s so important that you apply it.”

Two-Way Street

As a professor myself, I appreciated Fr. John’s message. He also teaches Theology at the university, so he understands the student / professor relationship.

I often share a video with my students in which I talk about the two-way street expectation in my class.?

First, it is my responsibility to ensure the students have access to the resources they need to learn the material. I often create short videos to help bridge the gap when the publisher’s resources are lacking or when the content is dicey.

Next, it is essential for the students to read the material, work through the problems, and commit the necessary time to do the homework. In other words, they must take 100% ownership of their learning.?

Leading.

If I could add anything to Fr. John’s message, it would be the topic of leading, so it would read something like this …

Teaching. Learning. Following. Leading.

What are ways we can lead even when we don’t have much experience?

(a)??We can volunteer to lead a group that provides a meal service to the needy.

(b)?We can coordinate a study plan for our children to help them excel in their academic work.

(c)??We can step up and share a prayer when having lunch with our friends.

There are many simple examples to share, but this is a good start.

As you can see, the opportunities to lead can be simple. Yet, the benefits are significant over time.

What’s Next?

The kids are getting older. In a way, it’s tough knowing they will someday have their own lives, their own children, and events they will coordinate.?

But … I am getting ahead of myself.

The best thing I can do is to live in the moment and to appreciate the beautiful blessings the Lord provides every day.

By the way, I am now in Week 5 of post-knee replacement surgery, and the pain level is moderate, but I have stopped thinking about getting better overnight …

Instead, I am doing my best to enjoy the good things in life like celebrating important milestones … i.e., graduations.

See you next week, my friends!

Homework Inquiry

During the next week, here’s your homework inquiry: How will you love?