Why you need a mentor Available to Purchase

At the AAPT Summer Meeting in Minneapolis, I co-hosted the speed networking event with Sam Sampere (the current NY section representative). Before the event began, I met with Sam briefly to discuss how we anticipated the event running. One of the first things Sam did was show me a memorial flyer from John Fitzgibbons' (Fitz) funeral. Sam later became choked up as he shared with the group about how his mentor, Fitz, had changed his life professionally at Syracuse and as a member of the AAPT. Sam suggested to the new attendees that perhaps their mentor was in the room and they would meet him or her today. All “seasoned” teachers in the room were nodding their heads in agreement. They could relate because there was someone who nurtured them, someone who deserves half the credit for the people and teachers they became.