Learning Environment

Question 1: Elementary or middle school

The one memory from middle school that I particularly remember was a class (kind of a survey) on determining a desired future profession. It was an elective knowledge-based classroom course. I do not remember the teacher, but the learning was provided by checking out individual packets of information, containing reading material about the profession and survey questions. Each packet had a final quiz. There was a minimum, but you could survey as many professions as you could get through. The profession of Airline Pilot was the one I remember most and ranked high. Funny how thing end up.

Question 2: High school or college

I remember very well one conversation I had with my Calculus teacher in college. Calculus was a knowledge-based classroom course as part of the mathematics sequence. My professor’s name was Tari Kazamutu (or “Kaz” for short). He prided himself on how well he could draw a perfect circle on the board freehand. The specific topic was related to the first fundamental theorem of calculus, and the point where it is calculated (i.e. the limit). To be brief this formula has an expression in the denominator of “h” with a limit of “h>0”. My supposition was simply that when fully derived the result is a division by zero (0) operation. After much debate my professor supplied the following conclusion. “I am a Newtonian “. Kaz explained he had a dual master’s in mathematics and Philosophy and then enlightened me on the debate during the origination of Calculus between Newton and Liebowitz and the inclusion of division by zero (as well as +0 &-0) or not. Newton was on the side of yes and Liebowitz was on the side no. Liebowitz won. The enormous lesson learned was that all “facts” no matter how fundamental, are in-fact still just a consensus of beliefs from the past. This was my personal the “world is not flat” light bulb moment. To this day I am still searching for any other Newtonians.

Question 3: Profession or first job

My first actual paid (W-2) job was at Boy Scout camp when I was 14yrs old. I was paid for the summer plus room and board. The camp provided wilderness experience and provided the opportunity lean knowledge and skills on camping, cooking, crafts, pioneering, swimming etc. and well as archery and riflery. I was the Archery instructor and the assistant for the 22-rifle range. One day I was asked by the rifle range senior instructor (Mr. Hamacker) to help another boy learn to shoot. He had passed the firearms safe hunter course and wanted to practice on the range. Targets were at 50’, and 8” circles with .25” bullseyes. I was the teacher not the student. The boy was a little younger than me and was deaf and mute. It took a lot of patience and visual demonstrations but by about lunchtime the boy was hitting the target consistently. Not bulleyes by no means but still managing to hit the target. I remember how the boy smiled and was proud and happy. (he took the best target with him). I knew then how much I enjoyed and wanted to teach.