A Change of Heart

Every year I start my classes off with the same two questions; Who's in this class because they sign up for it? and Who was just place in this class and have no idea what the class is about? I usually get about 20%-80% split with the “they just put in this class” always winning the battle. This year was no different. I always let those students know, my class isn't going to be one of the easy classes where you just play on the computers and you get an A. I promise them if they are willing, I can get them through the class and they may learn to like computers.
Well, upon hearing the “not easy” part a handful usually elects to get a class change. This year in one particular class 6 students elected to request class changes (I wasn't offended). Due to the budget crunch we lost 2 of our 5 counselors and the changes took over a week. During this time those students were force to come to class.
(While trying to be modest but honest) I enjoy teaching and my classes are lively, energetic, hands-on, and flat-out fun. By the time the class changes were made 5 of the 6 students changed their minds and beg to have me to email the counselors to reverse the schedule changes (of course I did), and the other one came by and said she missed being in my class (but it was her dream to be a nurse).
It is moments like these that reenforces my belief that leaving the high paying life of an IT professional was the right/best choice for me.