Robert King, Ph.D. — Professor Emeritus, Department of Linguistics —46 years at UT

1. Students remember you, not what you taught them. Life always comes down to people.
2. Don’t do today what you can put off until tomorrow. Obvious.
3. Never, ever, whenever, talk more than 35 minutes. Lecture in class, lecture anywhere: 35 minutes max. People, especially students, tune out after that. People would rather hear themselves talk and ask questions, than hear some old phearte rattling on for an hour plus.
4. Quit relying on those goddamned “devices!” Start reading books again, at least one or two a month. If all you do is log on and read blogs, then you are doo doo.
5. You want a friend? You want a “mate?” You want a wife, a lover?  Get a dog. Much better in the long run. I recommend a wirehaired fox terrier, but any dog will do.

Debbie Dillingham — Leave Management, Human Resource Services —1.6 years at UT

1. You are valued and can make a real difference. The first thing I have learned since I have been at UT is that you can create change even in small incremental ways that will provide added service to fellow employees, as well as the campus community at large, simply by wanting to do your best for the greater good. We practice this everyday in my department. I work with a wonderful group of the nicest folks in the Human Resource Department. I count myself lucky everyday!
2. Never be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Stretch your abilities to gain new knowledge and responsibilities; this to me is a truly rewarding experience! Take on new challenges and projects whenever possible. This will add to your knowledge base while introducing you to new people and opportunities.
3. What starts here really does change the world. We are truly fortunate to work in such a rich atmosphere of learning and world class facilities, museums and libraries. Take advantage of this beautiful and enriching setting by exploring the architecture, artwork and people! UT is truly an amazing place to work.
4. There are cool things to do. I have enjoyed the SURGE group and their plant offerings! You can get wonderful plants grown by the students for a very nominal fee. I plan on visiting this group on the mall at their Friday plant sales very soon. I love the greenhouses in the heart of our campus near the lovely old
Littlefield mansion.
5. There are many support structures in place within our community. I have recently learned firsthand of the fantastic group of staff giving generously their time on the UT Staff Council. I am so pleased to be part of such a forward thinking and dedicated group of folks that are genuinely concerned about fellow staff members and how we can effect positive change in all of our lives. There are also counterparts for the students and faculty serving the same purpose. This is an awesome process on many levels.

Paul Woodruff — Dean, School of Undergraduate Studies —37 years at UT

1. The students are smarter than we faculty generally think they are.
2. We faculty rarely make our assignments clear enough to allow students to do their best work.
3. Good teachers learn from their students.
4. Nothing happens at a university unless hardworking staff people facilitate it.
5. UT is extraordinary in many ways — the devotion of its members of all kinds has elevated it far above what anyone could expect from our financial resources.  Our teaching is far better than our teacher-student ratio would predict.

Have five lessons to share with colleagues? We’re always looking for entries! E-mail us at tsmspecialeditions@gmail.com