Collaborate, Communicate, and Celebrate

1. Collaborate, Communicate, and Celebrate James R. McKenna, Interim Head, CSES Dept.

2. Here are my thoughts from 46 years of education from 6th grade to graduate school with some adult education in extension thrown in for good measure.

3. Collaborate • Teaching is two way communication. • Teacher and student are in this together. • Feedback and dialog are essential. • The energy put into learning must be equal to the energy put into teaching. • The teacher is also a learner and vice versa.

4. Communicate • The method isn’t as important as the success. • Different strokes for different folks. • Learning and teaching styles differ. • Engagement is critical; again – a two way street. • Body language, eye contact, humor, rhythm change, and style change is critical.

5. Celebrate • Enthusiasm is paramount. If you don’t believe in subject, how can the students? • Don’t be afraid to celebrate a breakthrough…. Yours or the students. • Share the success. You and the students are equally responsible. • Watch for the light bulbs going off. That is the true evaluation of your efforts. • Love learning, and be a life long learner yourself…. It rubs off.

6. My 10 Commandmentsfor Teaching • Know your audience. • Prepare your thoughts. • Have realistic expectations. • Show your own humanity and involvement with the subject. • Don’t be afraid to go where the students won’t go. • Admit you don’t know something and are willing to find the answer.

7. My 10 Commandmentsfor Teaching • Listen to both the verbal and non-verbal clues. • Non-verbal clues are often the most important. • Always be fair. Treat everyone as equally as possible. • Always be clear in your expectations.

8. The Greatest Commandmentof Teaching • ENGAGEMENT and ENTHUSIASM Everyone likes to be involved and nothing “sells” like enthusiasm.