Passion For the Lives and Futures of Every Student I Meet!
I have been teaching online and onsite for a little more than a year. What I find not only interesting but impossible to avoid is the sincerity I bring to every student in my classes. For me, it does not matter how objective and professional I try to be, my passion for every student is something I cannot avoid. I understand this is a positive and most if not all instructors try to bring this emotion to the classroom.
However, is this really true? For me, my humbled life growing up, sharing house parenting duties while an undergraduate with my late wife hoping to save troubled youth before it is too late and the difficult but rewarding experience of raising two sons on my own these last twelve years play a significant role in how I deal with my students.
I know I am this way because from the moment I speak to students in front of others and individually, I feel this automatic and emotional connection. I want the student to succeed and I want to help them become better people regardless of what skills they bring to my communication courses and no matter what my course outcomes are. This can be troubling to me only because I wonder "is this the way it is supposed to be?" Am I supposed to feel this way all of the time or am I being too emotional?
This is the question I pose to you. As instructors in an industry where many outsiders feel is a "thankless" profession is it enough to give your time, intelligence, education and in this case, your passion for each student to not only succeed in life but to be happy as well?"
Am I being naive by feeling this way? If you do not feel this way, is this the norm and should we as instructors avoid taking our teaching to this level for all of our students? Is this realistic?
This passion that you are experiencing seems to be innate. This may be one of your reasons for becoming an instructor; you have a genuine concern for the success of each and every one of your students. However, it is important not to become emotionally overwhelmed. Fully equip them with the tools they need to succeed. This can be done by making yourself available and preparing for classes way ahead of time.
Latoya Lewis MSN RN
PCI LPN Instructor
Greetings Michael,
My $.02 on this topic is that if you don't have the "heart" for each student's success and bring a passion for their success with you to every session then you are robbing them and yourself of the energy that keeps us going.
In my profession, there are many people working that have yet to learn how to make a life. Oh sure, they can make a living, but has anyone had the heart to teach them to make a "life?"
When I read your post it struck a chord with me that what is missing so much in our educational system is more people with a heart for the learner like you have.
I like what one of the points made in ED101 which puts it succinctly, "Learning is the most important thing going on in the classroom, not teaching!"
Sounds like you understand that yourself.
One more comment, what we do is for others, how we do it is for ourselves!
Stan
Michael,
I believe your passion for investing in your students is something that has extreme value to and for your students as they move through your courses. You have lived a life that is devoted to helping others and bringing out the best in people. The key is to not let your emotional investment overwhelm you when a student does not make it through your course or respond to the support that is given. I am always sad when I lose a student but I know in my heart that I have done all that I can do to help that student to be successful. This keeps me fired up to help the next student and the next student after that. Never lose that fire for being a role model and example your students to follow as they chart their path toward career and life success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
