If you read this blog, you know I’m a big fan of Micheal Wesch. I’ve never met the guy but I have watched him quite a bit in his YouTube videos. Late in 2008, he received the Professor of the Year award from
Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and the
Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching (CFAT). He delivered a short
acceptance speech on Nov 20th, that is worth watching. He’s introduced by a former student who clearly admires Dr. Wesch and goes on to explain the wonderful role model that he is. That's always a nice feel good moment. Then Michael takes the podium and at the end of his acceptance speech, he shares with the audience a mantra that he says to himself every time he talks in front of a group of people:
“Love your students and they will love you back.” They were words of wisdom from his wife seven years ago. Spectacular!
It’s a great mantra. So many times, teachers, professors and instructors get bogged down in the technical details and mechanics of how their course is running that they can sometimes forget that for learning to occur, they have to genuinely care about their students. So having a mantra like this that is used regularly can be of great service in bringing this idea to the forefront of a teacher on a daily basis. Students are important – they need to be cared for - without them where would teachers be?
Image credit:
here.
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2 comments:
A fantastic mantra, thank you!
It works for e-learning too. It is so important to be continually thinking about your students on the other end of the computer. Without seeing them during the design or implementation process it is easy to forget, or unintentionally overlook, their needs.
I will be teaching a face-toface class tomorrow and will definitely use the mantra in preparation.
This is a great mantra for all organizational learning! I've worked with way too many people who felt training was something the organization did to people, rather than for them. I've found the servant model not only more effective - but more fun for me at the end of the day!
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