This is some good advice. I completely agree with the part about preparation. Students have a way of telling how much effort you put into your classes, and if you come across like someone who just walked into class and started figuring things out, they are going to respect you less.
I remember the first class I taught. I was so afraid that I would have some super intelligent student who would ask me a question I hadn't thought of and didn't know the answer to. That never actually happened. Instead, you get basic questions that might sound silly to someone with a PhD. To students, though, it might be something many people in your class are asking themselves. You have to think not just about what the answer is, but how you can help them understand that answer. How do you convey this information to people who don't have the background you do? I think teachers often forget to ask themselves that question at some schools.
Absolutely, great thought -- finding a way to like your students is so important. Same with medicine I think, it's very important to find a way to like your patients even if it can sometimes be challenging (as with students, or anyone else). If you can't find something about them you like, it's hard to have a real alliance.
This is one of your best essays IMO. I trained to be a school teacher in the 1970’s, but never actually taught in a school setting. Later became a commercial photographer until the advent of automatic exposure cameras (the jobs went away), later became a registered nurse (thanks to the advice found in census job projections), about 10 years after that went to graduate school and qualified as a nurse practitioner. Had 18 years as a NP in a VA Primary Care clinic before retirement. However, in every phase of my working life I taught people in various informal and formal settings, and used some or all of your points while doing so. Thanks for a good read that took me down memory lane.
This is some good advice. I completely agree with the part about preparation. Students have a way of telling how much effort you put into your classes, and if you come across like someone who just walked into class and started figuring things out, they are going to respect you less.
I remember the first class I taught. I was so afraid that I would have some super intelligent student who would ask me a question I hadn't thought of and didn't know the answer to. That never actually happened. Instead, you get basic questions that might sound silly to someone with a PhD. To students, though, it might be something many people in your class are asking themselves. You have to think not just about what the answer is, but how you can help them understand that answer. How do you convey this information to people who don't have the background you do? I think teachers often forget to ask themselves that question at some schools.
Exactly!
Thanks. My French horn teacher of many years seemed to know these things implicitly, much to my benefit. You articulated them very well.
I often encourage people learning to teach to try to figure out how to like their students. It isn't necessary, but it sure helps.
Absolutely, great thought -- finding a way to like your students is so important. Same with medicine I think, it's very important to find a way to like your patients even if it can sometimes be challenging (as with students, or anyone else). If you can't find something about them you like, it's hard to have a real alliance.
This is one of your best essays IMO. I trained to be a school teacher in the 1970’s, but never actually taught in a school setting. Later became a commercial photographer until the advent of automatic exposure cameras (the jobs went away), later became a registered nurse (thanks to the advice found in census job projections), about 10 years after that went to graduate school and qualified as a nurse practitioner. Had 18 years as a NP in a VA Primary Care clinic before retirement. However, in every phase of my working life I taught people in various informal and formal settings, and used some or all of your points while doing so. Thanks for a good read that took me down memory lane.
Fine post. The Suzuki quote is one of my favorites.
What a great post. Thanks.
Very solid piece! Thanks for the constructive thoughts and sentiment
So true. And, how to remember beginner’s mind as the process of learning how to learn.
Loretta
Love the concept of beginners mind - rings true!