Narcissistic Reflections

I had just completed the one-year Education course at University of Alberta and was back in my home town enjoying a much-needed break. Strolling along the main drag I ran into one of my former teachers. He inquired politely about my career plans: my reply staggered him! Teaching? Right here in Clarseholm! And I could see running through his brain visions of a former student - namely me - clomping down the school corridors in his lumber jack boots with a cigarette pack peering out of his flannel shirt pocket. Bad enough as a student but as a colleague! Intolerable! Uttering feeble congratulations he lurched off down the street muttering and likely heading to the nearest pub.<p>Such was the rather ignominious start to my twenty-five-year teaching career and I wouldn't trade one of them for another calling (although there was the odd day I could have done without).<p>One of the crowning moments however came as I was winding up my five-year teaching stint in Uganda East Africa . A student addressing the farewell assembly said Mr. Peters although you are white you have a black heart. High praise indeed!