I am so thankful to James for inventing the Teacher-Entrepreneur Challenge and for providing an opportunity to continue working with him after the Challenge. I hope that one day soon, I will be able to say that James made a huge difference in my life because he will have been instrumental in helping me achieve the goal of having my work financially support me and my family. This is still my dream, and I’m working as hard as I can to realize it. Despite decades of earning advanced degrees and giving my all working as a teacher, I have never been able to financially support myself. This was not as much of an issue when there was a second income in my household, but now that income is gone. I cried when I watched the video in which James described sales as our chance to share our gifts to the world. It’s true. I’ve helped SO MANY students. I know without a doubt that I’m a good teacher. I helped my institution maintain their good name, and I was compensated for only about 30% of my work and for NONE of my value that experience, skill, and long hours of necessary work outside the classroom. .Now I have a chance to be compensated fairly. Now I can learn about marketing and sales from someone who knows a lot about those areas and someone who really CARES whether I succeed or not. I trust James’ word when he says that one big reason why he does this work is that he’s giving back and supporting teachers like those who helped him establish a new life and a rewarding career in an English-speaking country and international community. James displays his integrity with every interaction I’ve ever had with him. Every day, when I go through a list of people, events, things, etc. that I am thankful for, James and his Challenge and subsequent program make it on to my list. I feel like there’s professional hope for me again that I can do the work I love and am committed to AND be fairly for that work.
From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!
Jennifer Van Hyning,
Ph.D. German Culture & Literature
M.A. TESOL
