5.6 What does Kenneth like about his job?
Kenneth Bond and Whitney Chappell
Many college students are primarily concerned with finding a high-paying job, regardless of whether they are passionate about the work. There’s something to be said for a job that pays well that also allows you to pursue your passion! Let’s listen to Kenneth talk about why he likes his line of work.
Transcript: “What I love about my job working with Spanish? I’ve always loved working with Spanish, every since I initially learned it. I love working and doing with–anything that has to do with Spanish. As an instructor, I love being in the classroom with my students and seeing that moment when the light goes on in their head. That’s the best feeling as an instructor–being able to help them understand what we’ve been talking about. Also, a great benefit of working with Spanish, what I love, is I was able to work in the military as a linguist, and after the 20, 21 years that I served in the Air Force, I was able to retire, and I continue to receive that retirement benefit for the rest of my life.”
Teachers love finding connections with their students, helping them make sense of the material and the world that surrounds them. In many of his classes, students are asked to discuss cuisine, culture shocks, landmarks, etc. in a foreign country, be it in Europe or South America. Due to his travels with the Air Force, Kenneth has been able to share with them his experiences of being all over the world, like Bogota, Paris, Rome, Santiago, Mexico City, London, Lisbon and Madrid. The conversation suddenly becomes a little more real for the students as they hear his first-hand experiences. For a teacher, there’s nothing better than seeing that lightbulb moment for students in the classroom!
There are other, more tangible perks as well. Even though Kenneth is no longer an active duty military member, he still has access to any U.S. military base worldwide and he receives his military pension for the rest of his life.
