Future teachers received the chance to understand the real reality of teaching from Teacher of the year Jeremy Adams who gave a entertaining lecture titled, “The Sinister Convergence: Is American Education at Risk of Losing its Humanity?” The lecture was held in the Dezember Reading Room Feb. 5 at 4 p.m.

Adams started the lecture by sharing his life experiences ”  I am a married man with two daughters ages 10 and 8 and a toddler son, Benjamin, who is a creature that can only be described as a hybrid part human, part monster,” said Adams.

After talking about his life and family he spoke about the reality of being a teacher in this day and age and the things that influenced him to write his book, “Full Classrooms Empty Selves”. He talks about his favorite movie, “Jerry Maguire”, and how it helped influence his life today, “Four years ago I had my very own Jerry Maguire moment. I had just finished my tenth and, by far, worst year in the classroom as a public school teacher.  While I certainly cherished my job and believed in the promise and possibilities of education, I knew deep down that there was a gnawing gap between the teacher I was and the teacher I had always aspired to be,” said Adams.

His simple mission statement turned into the publication of his book, “needless to say, I never imagined I would find a publisher.  And I really couldn’t fathom a reality where people actually liked the book,” said Adams.

Brian Rathfelder, a senior at CSUB, said, “The lecture was really interesting and helpful. Mr. Adams did a really good job and was highly entertaining. I can’t wait to read his book.”

Adams went on to talk about the use of technology in the classroom and the effects that it will eventually have. “Standards are important and technology is a powerful tool that should be utilized so do not misunderstand me.  But the contention I would like to make is that if we do not utilize the convergence of these two forces properly, then we risk losing the basic humanity of our profession,” said Adams.

Adams wants every student to feel cared for and receive the best education possible “no online exercise will ever look into a student’s eyes and ask them, ‘What’s wrong?,’ or tell them ‘I know you can do better,’ or respond with compassion to the tears that often well up in their eyes as a result of the broken homes so many of our students come from,” said Adams.

Adams believes that kids deserve to have the greatest classroom experience possible, and this is what will happen if they do not receive it, “If we lose the humanity of the teaching profession in the coming years, if we cannot appeal to the better angels of ours students’ nature, then I guarantee we will lose the battle for their attention and the results of this loss will be devastating for our country,” said Adams.

Adams concluded the lecture with a quote from “Jerry Maguire”: “The most famous quote from Jerry Maguire is ‘Show me the Money!’ I am not worried about the money. But show me the passion.  Show me the humanity of the teaching profession.  And if we can do that, then what will eventually be shown to all of us is a better America,” said Adams.