organizations as the Modern Language Association, the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, the Neighborhood Club of Bala Cynwyd, the World Affairs Councils of America, and the National Rifle Association. How have you navigated disruptions in your industry to remain a top professional? When I was teaching, it was during the VietnamWar, so once in a while, one of my students would raise his hand and ask me, “Why do we even have to study anything if we are going to go to war and probably be killed?” I thought that was one hell of a question, and I never forgot it. It struck me that it could happen. I’ve always thought that with good literature, like Shakespeare and even further back, we have to learn how to think, act and evaluate. Literature teaches these things, and that’s why, even in war, we have to learn to navigate. What is the most important issue/challenge you are dealing with in your industry? The challenge for me was not as much in education as it was in mentoring my own kids. I gave up on a lot of things, like teaching, to be with them constantly. That was for four years, and then I started tutoring because I didn’t want to go back into the classroom. How do you feel your industry has changed/evolved? There is too much power with the teachers and not enough with the parents. The parents want teachers to do everything, but do they really know who these teachers are? I don’t think so. One thing that I was concerned about, even when I was still in the classroom, was that colleges were opening the door to everyone, whether they really wanted to be college students or not. Not everybody needs a college education. We need technical workers, plumbers and electricians. When I was teaching in a college, I saw all these kids were there, and a lot of them couldn’t handle the work. I really felt bad for them — it wasn’t fair. What innovations or technologies do you feel will shape the future of your industry? It’s unfortunate, but I think the internet has a lot to do with it. Who’s watching the internet? In the news and media, we always had gatekeepers, but we rarely hear about them on the internet. That is part of the problem today — parents don’t always know what their kids are looking at. What excites you the most about your industry? When my students achieved their goals. I had all senior students, and everything was geared toward doing the work and then planning for college. I just loved pushing them to be their best to get them into the college of their choice. Fifth Edition Marquis Who’s Who INSIGHT 15 INSIGHT MARQUIS WHO′S WHO FIFTH EDITION
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