The school year has started. I am teaching 4 new classes to High Schoolers, which means consistently striving to develop and deliver powerful curriculum for young minds. It is a hard fought battle to stay a couple steps ahead, and yet in some ways amazing to prepare all of the wonderful topics! While preparing, I have thought of the many different teaching methods meant to ignite a desire for learning! To put it in quite simplistic terms, there are 3 ways of relating with other humans, particularly in a classroom setting, but certainly in many other areas of life. Where do you see yourself?
Self Indulgent (Or focus on self): This situation is a common byproduct of the selfie mentality. The teacher or friend who tells a story aware the entire time of what they look like, mostly absorbed in themselves. This is the least powerful teaching stance. If your mind is full with your own attributes such as the way you speak, stand, laugh, look, talk and etc, it is too cluttered. This cluttered short-sighted mind does not leave much room for true human connection or more necessary the observation of how the teaching is received.
In Love with the Topic: This is a big step into a more effective area. A teacher who is passionate for their topic can often spread enthusiasm for the subject. I am fascinated by nutrition and talk about it at length, sometimes past the ability of others to absorb. I recognize the glazed eyes, the checking of the watch and staring off as a sure sign that the person has tuned out! Students can absorb some of the wonderful topic, before they start to mentally wander. The teacher can certainly become lost in the love of the topic just speaking/teaching/expounding over the virtues or fascination of the subject. When the teacher is lost in their topic, the student will often mentally wander elsewhere.
Focus on the Student: This is the most effective way to teach. Teaching with love for the other person communicates better to the mind and heart. There can be quick adjustments in teaching, when you see the student start to wander. However, teaching this way is also the most demanding. Teaching with love of the student takes a lot of energy, and a certain selflessness that can be hard to maintain. However, after the continual price is paid, students walk off not only having accumulated knowledge, but also have a will for more!
The same three levels could also be said for marriage. A marriage based on self absorption is in for a rocky ride. However, a marriage that is full of two people who care about the welfare of the other, leads to bliss. This could be applied to many different relationships: to that of parents, siblings, coworker, boss and etc.
How are you interacting with the people in your life? Are you full of yourself? Or are you forgetting yourself and connecting? Take it up a notch! There is joy to be discovered in the process!
Would you like this positivity in your inbox? 🙂 We will email you a couple times a month so you can see the new posts! Don't worry we also don't like spam!
By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
