Blog
“Random thoughts on teaching”
I love to teach! I think it is part of my gift-mix from the Lord. It is a wonderful challenge to open up new worlds of learning for eager students. It certainly has its ups and downs, though. Here are some things I have learned from teaching:
Sometimes when you think they are getting it, they are NOT getting it.
And a corollary to that: Sometimes when you think they are not getting it, they ARE getting it!
Never underestimate a particular student’s ability to learn.
Staying current and fresh and up-to-date is vital to making a connection with students much younger than you.
Another corollary: Current/fresh/up-to-date does not mean “hip, cool, their age.” They know you’re an old guy (gal). They also know when you are trying to fool them into thinking you are one of them.
Truth matters. Especially to millennials. How about being one of the very few willing to share it with them?
Don’t bother to ask students to study if you are not studying. In particular, do not ask them to read if you have stopped reading.
If you don’t love people, please don’t teach.
Jesus was the greatest teacher of all. Learn from Him.
A wild thought: consider an Eastern approach at times, instead of always defaulting to Western modes of instruction.
One time I had one of my great teachers break decorum and give me a high-five in class when I remembered something he thought we had all forgotten (some detail about ancient Egyptian history). I never forgot that. Be memorable in surprising ways.
