On a daily basis, multiple times, I am questioned as to why I became a teacher. For most people, going from practicing law to teaching is seen as a downgrade. This thought has never found residence in my consciousness. I was born of teachers, and though it may have been only to my little brother, I was teaching before practicing law. I love the law and I love education. I love being a teacher and I love being a lawyer. To me they are not mutually exclusive, but comprise different aspects of my being.

This past week my U.S. History class had visitors for Career Day. One of the speakers happened to be the proprietor of an ice cream business, who introduced me to Paulo Freire's 'Pedagogy of the Oppressed'. Only two chapters in, and already I am experiencing paradigm shifts. The Career Day talk was amazing because it reminded me of the three things I wanted to be when I grew up. At four years old I announced to my parents that I was going to be a teacher, a pilot, and sell ice cream. Two out of three so far isn't so bad. My son and I have been planning our ice cream business since he was six. One of these fine days, we'll be selling (healthy) ice cream too.

I'm going to print this on little note cards and hand them to the next person who asks me why a lawyer would become a teacher:

"The more radical the person is, the more fully he or she enters into reality so that, knowing it better, he or she can transform it. This individual is not afraid to confront, to listen, to see the world unveiled. This person is not afraid to meet the people or to enter into a dialogue with them. This person does not consider himself or herself the proprietor of history or of all people, or the liberator of the oppressed; but he or she does commit himself or herself, within history, to fight at their side.” 

~Paulo Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed

p.s. I am well aware that Senor Freire is holding a cigarette which goes against my health nut ideals. However, I chose this picture and view it as a teachable moment--your mind has to develop the ability to hold two contradictory thoughts...at the same time.