You can start again

My question, “Why do you teach?” was not an insult but a genuine curiosity about why a millionaire with a successful accounting career would leave the corporate world behind. His response opened up a larger conversation about choosing purpose over money, giving homage to one of many institutions creating opportunity for those willing to see their own potential.

Everyone is a product of their environment. Heath attended a private elementary school through eighth grade and faced a difficult transition to high school. Bullying became the norm, and he found better camaraderie with the “stoners.” Suspension from school, fights and 160 missed classes later, he dropped out. His roommate at the time was a drug dealer, inevitably causing more disarray in his life and Heath was later convicted of drug-related crimes.

It took immense courage for Heath to leave the United States for Australia, where he worked low-skill jobs. When he returned, he worked for a landscaper who encouraged him to take a horticulture class at a local community college. After mustering up the nerve to face the admissions department, he chose San Jose City College. At 23 years old, he began general education courses, found his groove, and steered away from blue-collar tracks upon realizing he favored math instead.

Stepping into accounting courses ignited a Goldilocks effect — perfectly challenging and equally rewarding. One conversation with a professor planted a seed of possibility. What came next was a phone call from his father saying, “Holy shit, Stephen, you got in.” In 1996, Heath transferred to the University of California, Berkeley for their undergraduate business program.

In 2026, the higher education path is shifting rapidly due to artificial intelligence and rising tuition costs. According to national trends, only a third of U.S. students who start at a community college will successfully transfer to four-year schools. Instead, many are now choosing to receive a certificate or attend a vocational program.

Regardless of the path, having clarity and visualizing the bigger picture can take years to learn. The discomfort of striving for excellence can be difficult to break out of, especially as a young adult. Students are thrown into a world where course structure, close friends and stability can suddenly feel like a rug ripped from beneath their feet. Taking these years seriously makes a massive difference, but not everyone is ready to act on their potential right away.

In between playful scolds directed at students walking in late and moments of silence waiting for responses to questions on treasury stock, Heath shared some not-so-casual advice. While Heath claimed he was “average at best” in college, his career proved that it is never too late to succeed. He shared the following advice with his students: A). show up consistently because many students stop showing up to their classes, B). understand that you belong in the room, C). have a plan and do not expect anything to happen magically, and D). face adversity head-on, especially in moments of failure where giving up seems easier than trying again.

As I took notes during his class, I could not help but observe the students, particularly impressed by two women who were poised and confident when speaking up. It was easy to tell which students in Heath’s class were there strictly for a grade and which ones were truly invested. Intentionality, curiosity and belief make the biggest difference in someone’s transformative years.

At the end of class, we spoke about his teaching goals. Apart from the insane wealth of knowledge he shares both inside and outside the textbook, he is genuinely someone who wants his students to succeed. He meets students at their level, using their language to connect. One of his students expressed their appreciation for Heath being less “professor-y.” Had my partner not taken classes with Heath (and raved about him), I would never have known the profound impact he has on his students.

Heath is notorious for his “bad spelling and grammar” (not my words), but he produces a podcast called Money Misfits, which is dedicated to helping college students navigate their finances. He is living proof that you can always begin again.

Do you have someone who changed your life? My inbox is open, let’s chat: giselle@smdailyjournal.com