When I started my Ph.D. program, 3 years ago, I was excited to conduct cutting-edge research. But I wasn't so sure about the teaching that I would have to do every semester to fund my education. I saw it as a waste of time and energy that I could otherwise spend in the lab. The stereotype of the teaching assistant (TA) rushing between classes and spending weekends grading while guzzling coffee did not help. I had no experience teaching, and the idea of being in front of a class made me anxious. But if you ask me now, I would say that teaching has been one of the most rewarding parts of my Ph.D. experience.