Dear Students I love teaching all of you about welding. Although I prefer the hands-on practical classes the best, this theory course is important for you all to have a good understanding of what to do when the shop classes begin. Please understand that with 42 of you in my class, I CAN"T please all of you all of the time. I try my best to address you individually and help you achieve your goals/desires while in the program. Recently I had emails from two of you who are on complete opposite ends of the spectrum. One of you just wants to get in there and get dirty and start laying beads...understandable. The other doesn't care about the grade at the end of the course or ever intends to work as a welder, and just wants me to stick with the program, no questions & answers, no relating to my own experiences, let's read the books and leave it at that...fair enough. Just so you both understand the other 40 students fall somewhere in between. I hope I have addressed your concerns professionally and courteously. Thank you both for your honesty. See you all tonight! Oh, and dear work...thank you for paying me so well. It helps me deal with the stress of this job a little better.