Over the course of a lifetime, I and I hope you have been fortunate to experience great teaching. As a teenager, I was fortunate to work at the North Jersey Playhouse/Playhouse on the Mall where I met one of my foremost mentors to whom I remain indebted and kept in contact over many years. Henry Sutton, a gem of a man as you can see from the picture with the telephone taught me so many things about life beyond the stage. "There are no small parts, only small players." Robert Moore http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Moore_(director) was a brilliant director who died of AIDS far too young. He was so vibrant and always found a way to squeeze me into a part regardless of how small-reemphasizing that one-line can done with passion can captivate an audience. William (Bill) Hickey, was my acting teacher for over three-years from the age of 19 on. He was a genius, sensitive, precise, and beyond compare. To know him was to love hime and accord the highest level of respect. Bill was the consummate instructor and actor. Most of what I learned about teaching comes from those years with Bill--what gratitude fills my heart and memories. One of Bill's good friends was Elaine May who taught the advanced class when Bill was recovering from an accident. What an honor, and what commitment to excellence. Classes had no time limit and when the studio space was no longer available we moved to my apartment next to HB. Eternal gratitude-- These four stand out in my life, and hopefully their gifts have passed through to my students for oh these many years.

Early this afternoon, I had an appointment with a junior in high school that is preparing for college. He has extremely high test scores, great grades in competitive classes, and a bounty of serious extracurricular activities. Extremely well organized his resume is being fine tuned, he has made a list of college with majors of interest, and is up-to-date on Naviance. What could be missing? For one as we discussed no college visits- for another outside of having the major he did not know the ideology and differences between colleges. With so many students from around the globe applying- it is more important to establish relationships when possible rather then apply now buy later. Examples in New York--NYU, Columbia and Barnard--to develop good applications the applicant needs to know the significant differences between these schools. Recently, I spent many hours teaching a reluctant applicant about this. On April 1, she was accepted to the school of her dreams-with lower SAT scores, grades, and competitive classes then necessary- I am convinced this is because her essays and supplements were targeted to the colleges mission. When my student left today, he had scheduled his tours and I lectured him about how to--stand out in a crowd, which means knowing what your are standing out for.

What is the real world? Does a real world exist? I think not at least not in the state or way that many are taught, directed, and many are programmed to believe. Thinking with compassion of former students and others-including myself at that time who after graduating from an all encompassing experience-i.e. college find themselves facing what are few options. My own experiences after completing each degree and working my way through colleges was depression-and not knowing what to do. Each successful completion left me in the midst of a recession where positions were not plentiful. Earning a doctorate at Teachers College Columbia University was a honor for sure. Landing, was postpartum-addressed by early morning bicycle rides on the then downed Westside Highway. Eventually, I found an ill-suited corporate position followed by a stint as a fundraiser. Then concurrent with my thesis being published, a late night idea to start my own business a general practice in education-becoming one of the first learning centers in the US--and a source of great happiness. Graduates, I am sharing my experience with you, in hopes that if facing the same situation as I-take a risk and when that dream surfaces follow it--and the door will open--even if more slowly then wished.