As a teaching assistant in graduate school, I discovered that I had a real knack (and, indeed, love) for explaining; I became popular with the students in my sections because of my clear, insightful presentations and lively style of teaching. Many would come to my office outside of class for extra help, and it became somewhat of a "hobby" for me to provide it to them.

Subsequently, I became involved in teaching for the Chicago Public Schools and later at the newly-opened Chicago office of a ...