By Dr. Oliver Hedgepeth, Program Director, Government Contracts and Acquisition at American Public University
Education has evolved dramatically since the era of the one‑room schoolhouse, yet the influence of a dedicated teacher remains unchanged. Over my years as a student and educator, I have witnessed countless examples of passionate teaching that transform lives and inspire lifelong learning.
Passionate Teaching in the Traditional Classroom
I asked a former colleague, Mary, why she continues to teach after more than 30 years and what drives her commitment. Her answer illustrates how passion can grow from real work and purpose.
“Right out of college, with diploma in hand, I thought I would become the next investigative journalist,” she told me. “At a weekly paper you do everything: write stories, take photographs, sell ads, answer phones, lay out classifieds, and on print day you deliver the paper to the press. People depend on your work, and that responsibility fuels you.”
Over time, the daily grind dimmed that initial shine. Mary eventually turned to teaching and found new meaning. “When I stand in front of twenty blank faces and one student suddenly ‘gets it’—asks a thoughtful question or recognizes the story within themselves—that moment is everything. I challenge students to put themselves in the story so they see multiple perspectives. When that happens, I know I’ve helped them discover something important.”
For Mary, the most rewarding moments come after class, when former students return to say thank you. She recalls a philosophy graduate who, before taking Mary’s journalism course, couldn’t connect academic work to real life. That course changed the student’s perspective, prompting her to speak to Mary’s current class and encourage others to listen and learn. “My passion is people,” Mary says. “If you have it, use it. If you don’t, learn from those who do.”
Mary’s story is a reminder that face‑to‑face instruction can ignite curiosity, build confidence, and create lasting influence.
Passionate Teaching Online
Passion is equally present in online classrooms. Jere Ferguson, an instructor at American Public University, shares how a single teacher’s compassion changed his life after years of struggling with undiagnosed dyslexia. With proper support and a different learning approach, Jere moved from average grades to excellence in one school year. That experience led him to help other adults with learning challenges, later earning a master’s degree and working toward a doctorate.
Jere chose to become an educator to “give back” and to mentor adults who, like him, can thrive when learning is tailored to their needs. As a retired naval officer and former corporate executive, he brings practical experience and empathy to his online teaching, proving that digital environments can be powerful places for transformation.
APU Program Director Dr. Bill Owen emphasizes the ripple effect of teaching: “Effective instruction shapes future generations, and those students will, in turn, shape others. Teaching leaves a lasting legacy.”
Instructor Detlef Klann describes teaching as a way to “pay it forward,” sharing skills and encouragement he once received. Elizabeth Gray, who leads faculty development at APU, highlights how a love of learning fuels her teaching: “I’m a student and a teacher at once. Helping students discover their own passion for learning is the reward.”
Making a Difference
My own experience confirms that teachers change lives. Early in my career at the University of Alaska Anchorage, a discouraged adult student planned to quit after nearly a decade in school. After reviewing her academic record and advising the appropriate offices, I discovered she had already completed the courses required for her logistics major and would graduate within a month. That reconnection to purpose gave her renewed confidence and a degree she almost abandoned.
Mr. Klann sums up the educator’s role well: teachers nurture curiosity, provide tools for lifelong learning, and celebrate the moment when a student says, “Now I get it.” Those moments of clarity are what make teaching meaningful and what drives educators to continue their work.
Passion in teaching, whether in-person or online, often grows from personal challenges and from mentors who believed in us. It is not limited by age or gender; it arises when individuals commit to helping others learn and succeed. Passion can be innate, but it is also fostered by supportive colleagues, inspiring teachers, and real-world experience.
What fuels your passion for teaching—especially in an online environment?
About the Author: Dr. Oliver Hedgepeth is the program director for Government Contracts and Acquisition at American Public University (APU). He previously served as program director for Reverse Logistics Management and Transportation and Logistics Management. Before joining APU, Dr. Hedgepeth was a tenured associate professor of Logistics and chair of the Logistics Department at the University of Alaska Anchorage. His book, RFID Metrics, was published in 2007 by CRC Press and is in revision.