Speaking to media and politics class, originally uploaded by Rob Bluey.

I’ve never thought of myself as much of a teacher, but yesterday I was thrust into that role as a guest lecturer at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. The experience was awesome. (Check out the photos on Flickr.)

I was invited by Major T.S. Sowers to speak before three classes about how technology was reshaping politics and government. The interaction with the cadets — both in the classroom and throughout my trip — was great. I came away with a much better appreciation for teaching.

Ever since taking the job at Heritage two years ago, I’ve had the opportunity to do a lot more public speaking. Along the way, I’ve had some great instruction and advice from wonderful colleagues. My trip to West Point, however, was the first time I had been asked to talk to students in a classroom in a very long time.

Thinking back to my college years when I was a teaching assistant in Marty Brownstein’s media and politics class, I often dreaded the days I led the weekly 50-minute breakout session. What knowledge could I impart on them? How could I get the students to talk? Do they really find what I have to say interesting?

These same questions raced through my mind yesterday as well. But the experience itself was entirely different. I came prepared with a lesson and what I hoped were real-life experiences relevant to the subject they were studying. The cadets themselves were very inquisitive, making the discussion a whole lot more interesting. It was a rewarding and very enjoyable experience for me as well.

Don’t get me wrong. I have no plans to move to academia anytime soon, but I hope I get to do it again sometime soon.