Show your jazz
Let the students see that you're excited about what you do. After awhile it will rub off.
Each of us has had that special feeling when we teach - remember what it was like when you first discovered your love of teaching? When you were in your first class? It was exciting. As an educator, it is your obligation to keep that feeling and pass it along to your students. Having an accepting attitude for everyone who enters your classroom should come first. Anyone and everyone can be ignited by your excitement for the subject matter. It begins with accepting yourself in your role as a teacher--what you do and who you are. Then, accepting others can create the happy environment, especially for students. They can find excitement in your class when doing something new if they don't feel inhibited about making errors or if they can't keep up with the level of the class.
Enthusiasm is contagious! If teachers act like Ben Stein when he was describing the Hawley-Smoot Tariff in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, no learning will take place.
This is great! Students can tell if you're really "jazzed" or if your putting on a show. Instructors need to be "real". The students deserve nothing less...
Thank you, Melanie.
What are some specific things a teacher can do to demonstrate the passion to which you are referring?
I learned the most from passionate instructors. When you are excited about what you are teaching it gets the students get excited too.
Thanks, Brian. Nice post.
Some of the things I do to show my passion include being excited about the subject matter I am teaching. The things the students see me do include things like making contact to every one of the students, deflecting my voice, moving my hands, answering questions. Little things like that show the student that I am interested in what I do. The resonses I get back sometimes are the same things. If you stand there and are monotone and treat the subject matter as if you are sitting in a dentest chair and you cant wait to leave then the students will feel the same way. One of the biggest compliments that a student can give that shows you are passionate about what you do is for them to actually learn something about a particular subject that they didnt like.
Thank you, Brian.
What are some of the specific things you do to display your passion? What do your students do to reflect their passion?
I think we all know that if we show passion in what we do then the students will reflect your passion. If you choose to show that you are not to interested in the subject matter they will follow suit as well.
Absolutely. The enthusiasm will wear off. The positive attitude spreads.
Great way to look at it if you are into what you teach the student will be to.
