Ryan Gahris wrote a story in issue 9 of the Lumberjack about talented teachers who entertain outside of the office. Teachers such as Christopher Wargo who plays guitar for a band Fight the Quiet teaches students valuable life lessons. Many people lose sight of what they have always been interested in, in the name of practicality. After people have children or earn an expensive degree, often times, dreams or hobbies are forgotten, but not in the case of teachers such as Wargo here at NAU.
Teachers and professors are the hope of the future. They educate the world’s youth and pass on their wisdom. What better wisdom to pass on, then the lesson to hold onto what makes you happy? Wargo stated that he loves what he does. We live in a world where, often times, our top priority is not joy.
As a college student, life priorities and motives that seem substantial are blurred and inaccurate. Many college students forget what is important in a society where being young means that somehow you’re invincible, which obviously is not true. Teachers who entertain or are involved in music, art, motorcycles, or whatever their passion or outlet besides teaching is, are teaching students the valuable life lesson to never let go of what makes you happy. Teaching obviously brings joy as well; however, not letting go of unprofitable hobbies is so important in order to find a balanced and happy life, one that is not full of regret.
Teachers such as Wargo show us students that we are all human and share many commonalities in what we enjoy, making us all relatable. They teach us to never stop chasing what brings us joy even if the road of life takes us in another direction. In a world this confused, there is not a more valuable lesson to teach.