As an offshoot of my love for the creative life, I have drawn great joy from sharing my experience with others. Teaching involves using parallel form of creativity - in this case, using visual as well as verbal and tactile communication to get ideas and concepts across to someone else.
Working with students and getting to experience together the moment when they learn a new technique, concept or process, overcome a former obstacle, accomplish doing something they thought they couldn't or see something in a brand new way for them is beyond rewarding... in these moments, I am moved and inspired by my students.
Teaching allows me to share my lifetime's experiences with others - things I've studied, knowledge I've acquired, things I've discovered that work and things that don't, mistakes I've made, ways to problem solve, how I see and think... it is not only a way for me to give back but is also a means to having what I've learned carry on beyond my lifetime.
Rather than having to take time rediscovering for themselves what I've already spent my time learning, students can start where I left off and go that much further. If freely sharing all I know opens up new possibilities for someone else, helps them on their way or eases their learning curves in creativity, I will have succeeded.