Part 21

which is really the next part of Part 19 which I skipped over.  It is hard trying to keep track of what is put to paper -  particularly since I don't post every day.

In any event  -- going back to what happened after a discussion took place about teaching -

It was suggested that I contact AR who appeared to be in charge of the curriculum.  He was not a chiropractor.  In fact, as I recall he was a chemist by training from Europe.

In any event after a short conversation, I was directed to the Dean to have an in person meeting.  I remember clearly attending at this office.  He was on the phone and directed me to have a seat.  (the usual nonsense from people of importance).  While he was chatting away, I spent the time observing all of his photos of military aircraft.  I was actually quite impressed.

When he finished his phone call he apologized.  I told him that it was not a problem and that I was enthralled by the photos particularly since my uncle had been in the air force.

That was sort of enough.  It turned out that HV had also been in the air force and proceeded to describe in detail his term of office in the military.  It went on for about 45 minutes after which we concluded the interview by him offering me the position of lecturer and telling me it was about the best interview he had experienced  -  probably since he never asked me a question.

I was told that I would be teaching a course on jurisprudence.  For the life of me, I couldn't figure out why chiropractic students would need to learn jurisprudence since the definition of jurisprudence is basically the study of law (or its history).  Only later did a jurisprudence course get defined as subject matters involving tort law etc.

After creating a number of lectures on the Napoleon Code, Civil Law, etc did I get sent a previous course outline dealing with intentional torts, negligence etc.  So I started writing the lectures again.

By the first day, I was full of vim and vigour.  I actually thought that I knew what I was talking about.  I was received with curiosity but more importantly with some of fear - a lawyer in a class room of 150 potential doctors.  

 Part 20

My journey into CMCC and chiropractic:

I was to start teaching in September of 1976.  I was 27 years old.  A large group of students in the class were the same age or only a few years younger.  

I actually wrote out my lecture - showed up in class and started reading the lecture.  Very occasionally I would be asked a question or be questioned on the information that I was presenting.  I quickly learned that the key to success is sincerity and once you can fake sincerity you can be successful.   I also learned that never show fear when teaching.  A large number of the students in the class of 1977 went on to become leaders in the profession.

I survived the first year and as I recall I was then asked to assist in the business course in the next year.  The students were not very happy with the course material which included how to write a cheque.

By the third year I was teaching both the jurisprudence course and the business course.  They became two hours lectures each and were back to back.  I began every lecture when the clock struck 12 and ended exactly when the clock struck 10 before the hour.  The lectures began with the words -  It's showtime!   And I wasn't kidding.

I began inviting guest lecturers to assist with the course material.  This involved the lawyers for the regulatory body, the defence insurance company, bankers, accountants, planners, etc.  I would sit at the back of the room and it would be about 15 minutes into their presentation when I started asking questions that would be pertinent to the students' future as practitioners.

I made sure that students understood that while they were professionals, they could only be successful if they could properly operate their practices ensuring that everything from starting up a practice, accounting and billings were done properly.

The most memorable event that occurred in the first year took place in December of 1976 at the CMCC Christmas party.  There were a lot of sick people the next day  - at least those who ate the potato salad.  I don't eat potato salad so I was in great shape.