Teaching Life Lessions

There is a teacher at the John Molson School of Business (JMSB) in Montreal, Qc that exemplifies passion. Most of this mans students consider him to be a leader. Yet, others think of him as a comedian, because he begins most of his classes with jokes. Even though this professor may seem unorthodox, he is one of the most desired marketing professors at JMSB.

The comedy is not the only reason that this professor is not ordinary, he sets goals and asks students to help accomplish the objectives. This man has been throwing parties every Christmas for the past 8 years. This is not any normal Christmas party, it's a fundraiser for needy families in the Montreal area, solely executed by the professor and his students.

In the first year, he chose to "adopt" three needy families, knowing only the number of gaurdians present, number of children, ages, and sex. Yet, he manages to provide Christmas for countless families year after year. Each fall semester he proposes his idea to his students and asks them to help by generating donations. Every year the number of last years accomplishment becomes the current years quota plus 1 (i.e. in the 7th year, 36 families were provided for and 37 is goal for the 8th year).

He once said to me: " I grew up in Verdun. I believe in giving back to your community. All of the families that I help are living in that same area." Those words impacted me and they resinated in my brain all evening.

Overall, this professor enstils life long lessions in the students that enter his classroom. There are many things that I have learnt from this one man but the most important thing is that kindness never hurts and a smile can go a long way.