Instructor Enthusiasm
Enthusiasm is very important and to teach what you love with a passion. Knowing that when I go into the classroom I must have a good attitude and lots of energy. The class usually feeds from my energy. The students then want to participate and are excited about the class, then having effects on retention.
Katherine,
What a tragic yet accurate example of what happens when a professional educator loses his fire, passion and enthusiasm. His loss helped to shape your career in a way because you decided that you did not want to teach on the high school level because of how he burned out so early in his career.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
One of my favorite High School teachers was later my little brother's most dreaded teacher... I took his class the first year he taught, when he was actively excited about being a teacher and sharing the subject. That year he conveyed a sense of wonder and joy to the class with every lecture.
3 years later, he was burned out with the drama of public high school students, and his name was synonymous with boredom. Having lost his passion, and enthusiasm, for teaching there was no way any of his new students would be happy in his class.
Witnessing that loss in him was heart-wrenching. I still knew I wanted to teach, but I was no longer set on teaching in a high school.
:) Bless his heart, wherever he is now. He taught me to value the quality of my presence in the classroom, no matter what else is going on in my life.
Belinda,
I agree. I think you need to have passion for field and enthusiasm about teaching it. These two elements are win win for everyone.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I feel if as an instructor you show enthusiasm for what you are teaching, the students will enjoy learning the material.
Angela,
Well said. Passion and enthusiasm are two elements needed for both teaching and learning success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Your students feed off of your enthusiasm as a instructor. If they see your enthusiasm they tend to follow suit. Enthusiasm shows the students that you are passionate about what you do, and care about their success in the class room. Enthusiasm keeps them coming back and helps with retention
Daniel,
Good point and one we need to remember each time we step into a classroom or lab. Passion for our field and enthusiasm for teaching it brings two elements into the learning formula that benefit students. It is for sure if we are not excited about our subject it is for sure the students won't be either.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Pure enthusiasm for the subject was the only thing that got me through the my first year or so of teaching. Even though I often lost control of the classroom and had a hard time keeping track of all the details I was able to maintain good retention because I was able to get my students exited about the subject. This will not get you through every situation but without it any type of instructional environmental is bound to be unsuccessful. How can you expect a "buy in" from you students if you do not display it.
Thomas,
So true. If we aren't excited about what we teach it is for sure our students won't be excited about what they are expected to learn.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Enthusiasm helps show passion and knowledge about the material you are passing on.
Travis,
I agree. Passion for one's field and enthusiasm for teaching it sets the stage for a successful class experience.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I believe enthusiasm is a must. It's important for students to know what excepted of them the to praise them once they have acomplished a given task. Once they see your reaction toward there individual effort. They tend to strive alot harder and look forward to the outcome.
Aaron,
Right you are. How do you bring enthusiasm to your classroom?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It always works to the instructors advantage to be enthusiastic
Patricia,
You are so right. If you don't bring enthusiasm for teaching and passion for your field it is for sure the students won't be excited either.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
