KEM

Thank your for this insightful thread. It reminded me of my wonderful professor Dan Boroto at FSU "Our quality of life is directly related to the number and kinds of teachers we are willing to have." Modify that slightly with Aikido in the appropriate places and it fits.
I have the privilege of being a stay-at-home dad to my two middle school aged boys and helping teach kids and teens classes which my boys attend. I've found the kids and teens are keen sensors of my spirit and technical details--in every encounter they are teaching while learning so I am learning while teaching.
Many opportunities arise to connect my experiences as a former deputy sheriff to the messages about bullying and truly defensive self-defense without telling 'war stories. ' Connecting the 'don't retaliate' message with 'real stories from the street' and keeping it 'aiki' is a joy and a journey.