Erin recently started teaching as an adjunct professor at SLU, and gave me permission to share this.
Teaching has been a very humbling experience. There have been many times I have felt insecure about my abilities as a teacher. My insecurity arises out of a fear of not being good enough. I want so much for my students, and sometimes I want more than I think I can offer.
Don’t be a teacher (or a professor) if you need people to like you–not all of your students will like you.
Don’t be a teacher if you think you know everything, or do and find out you are wrong.
Don’t be a teacher if don’t like being wrong – there will be many times you will be wrong.
Don’t be a teacher if you enjoy hearing yourself talk – your students should be do the talking, asking questions, teaching one another.
Don’t be a teacher if you enjoy the status quo–your students deserve dynamic environments.
Be a teacher if you care.
Be a teacher if you are good at facilitating a positive learning environment.
Be a teacher if you can provide a variety of perspectives and a variety of learning resources.
Be a teacher if you can admit to not knowing everything.
Be a teacher if you can handle your students knowing or having experienced more than you.
Be a teacher if you understand that your students have a lot to teach you.
Be a teacher if you get excited to see your students learn, if your heart fills with joy when you see that “aha” moment.
Be a teacher if you enjoy learning, especially if you enjoy that type of learning that never ceases.
