I taught for 20 years Possibly being around students helped

Teaching for 20 years is a significant amount of time, and it is likely that being around students during that period helped you in various ways. Here are a few possible reasons why being around students could have been beneficial:

1. Enhanced Communication Skills: Consistently interacting with students on a daily basis requires effective communication skills. Over time, you may have developed better listening, speaking, and written communication abilities, which can be valuable in various personal and professional situations.

2. Improved Patience and Adaptability: Working with students can sometimes be challenging, as every student is unique and responds differently to various teaching methods. Your experience may have taught you how to be patient, flexible, and adaptable in order to meet the diverse needs of your students. These skills are valuable in many aspects of life.

3. Strong Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Being around students often involves understanding their emotions, struggles, and challenges. This exposure might have enhanced your empathy and emotional intelligence, enabling you to connect with others on a deeper level and navigate interpersonal relationships more effectively.

4. Continuous Learning: Teaching is a profession that requires ongoing learning and staying up-to-date with new information and methodologies. Engaging with students may have kept you curious and motivated to constantly expand your knowledge and skills, which can contribute to personal and professional growth.

5. Problem-Solving Abilities: In the classroom, teachers often encounter various obstacles and problems that require quick thinking and problem-solving skills. Over time, you may have honed your ability to think critically, find creative solutions, and make decisions under pressure, which are valuable skills in many other areas of life.

Overall, your experience of teaching for 20 years likely provided you with numerous skills, insights, and personal growth opportunities that can positively impact various aspects of your life