>How much time in your day do you spend going around and making strangers dreams come true?

Well, I have a little story to tell you.

I was an instructor for five years while also doing contract work. Some of my students were in a 12 week course. With the economy generally being the way it's been, many of my students were under tremendous stress to get a job (or a better job) after finishing. So it should not surprise anyone that a certain % of adult students often thought about dropping the class. So I had to talk more than few into sticking it out.

I know that many students went on to get jobs - I've received many emails letting me know how well things turned out. I've had students (even male ones) come up to me at SQL Saturday events and hug me because they got a job and their lives turned out OK. Some people from a graduating class even bought my daughter a savings bond. So I was able to positively affect the lives of many people - which was a dream of mine in college when I wanted to be a teacher but didn't think I'd ever have the chance.. But that dream didn't happen without years of hard work (including working for others).

But there was one success story that trumped all . I had a guy who scored off the charts on the initial assessment tests and was brilliant. But he lacked confidence. And anytime he didn't get something in class, he got nervous and talked about quitting. There were nights I talked to him until 2 in the morning until he understood something well enough to not be nervous. It was frustrating at times, but I stuck with him. I missed many dinners and time with my family. But I did it because it was the right thing to do.

Well, he made it through, did well, and finally got a job. I've attached the letter I received from him in late 2011. (I've removed his name). The 2nd paragraph is perhaps a bit of exaggeration but it came from his heart. This was better than any Christmas present I ever received. I've kept in contact with the guy and he has had two promotions since, is making good money, and is now engaged to be married.

I get emails regularly from people who tell me that they were able to use something from an article or a webcast that helped them. And that's always great. And I still write letters of recommendation for former students looking for new jobs, even though our training school closed over a year ago. A teacher is a teacher for life. But, most of all, in response to "The Fray", I knew at least once "how to save a life". .