I was born in South Bend Indiana, and first learned the value of adult education when I was in grade school. My father was one of the Depression-era kids who put his dreams on hold, dropping out of high school in the tenth grade to help earn a living to support the family. He began taking night courses and learning the trade of a service electrician. When dad brought home his schoolwork, I used to sit at the dining room table with him and draw electrical diagrams, as he took the first steps to building skills for a new occupation. Later, when I was in the U.S. Navy, I realized for myself the importance, indeed the magic, of adult learning when I wrote the IBM Corporation and asked to attend their computer training school. I was accepted into the program and I was able to learn a skill, which I subsequently used to generate income. Along with my wife's help, and a night job operating computers, I began and completed undergraduate school, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

Thanks to some supportive teachers and a renewed passion, I finally came to understand the value of life-long learning. I was told many years ago that the academic setting was not a good fit for me. I believe that I was motivated to achieve in an academic setting as a direct result of that comment.

When my son started working on his Associates Degree at the College of DuPage, I started with him and received a certification in gerontology. The certification allowed me to participate in a teaching internship, which set the stage for what I consider to be my quest for life-long learning. I wanted to gain a better understanding of how adults grow and learn as they get older. This goal was partially realized when I entered NLU and earned a Master of Science in the Gerontology Counseling program (1997).

During the past six years, I have been working as part of the Insurance and Research Services of a large Trade association. This position has provided me the opportunity to conduct adult learning workshops in a corporate training environment. As a lobbyist, I have helped create workshops on; virtual private networks; knowledge management; career banding; telecommuting; and violence in the workplace.

During the past three years, I also have been privileged to be an adjunct faculty member at NLU, and truly have learned how deeply I love teaching, and believe in the uniqueness of the adult learner. Teaching touches not only the lives of students, but the hearts of the teachers who work with them. Paulo Freire states that building knowledge with your students requires continuous hopeful inquiry and pursuit. Additionally, my wife, son, and daughter, along with supportive friends, have taught me to believe in Walt Disney's saying that, "if you can dream it you can do it."

I am currently involved in several computer knowledge development teams at work, and the local Disney club (my wife works for the company), I also participate in volunteer groups such as Toastmasters, which I believe helps build the spirit, along with your speaking skills.

Email contact: John Eager