I am not the King of Boomeria

I’ve been teaching college chemistry, online and offline, since 1995 and sometimes I even think that I’ve got a few things figured out. Then, I discover someone that makes me feel like I have so much to learn that I almost want to give up. Like this morning, for instance, when I stumbled across “The Boom”, King of Boomeria. What an awesome teacher this guy is! After reading about him in Mental Floss magazine, I went to his website and was even more humbled by all the great material he has, as well as the obvious affection he displays for his students. I’m not, and will never be, the King of Boomeria.

But, you know, that’s OK. We all have our own creative streaks and competencies and talents, even though we are often somewhat blind to them. In today’s online world of instantly available information, you can always find someone more creative and more competent and more talented than you are. Bear in mind, however, that those people were there all along – you just didn’t know about them! So, don’t let that stop you from being who you are and doing the best you can do. Even though discovering someone like Preston Q. Boomer may humble me, I am inspired by him as well. In fact, when I went to work at the USAF Academy today, a colleague and I (with whom I had shared "The Boom's" website) started a project to re-invigorate our department’s “Chemistry Magic Show” program. Keep sharing your ideas and insights and epiphanies with others. You never know when you might inspire others to stretch themselves and do something they may have only dreamed of before.