I was listening to a talk about creativity and art. If you check out the past few posts, there are some about the creativity and art. I’ve quite enjoyed the challenge of these talks. It has pushed me to consider … Continue reading
I just finished a class tonight. It was an amazing group of students. We had a great time. We really wrestled with the issues and the theories in education. Tonight we talked about the new insights that we picked up … Continue reading
Last week I lectured on Cultural Programming. Ever since that lecture, I have been more aware of how cultural programming really shapes your sense of self and what you do.
I had this graphic up at the beginning of class, and my students just started reacting to it – based on their Cultural Programming.
It was amazing how they
A few of them that didn’t grow up in the US argued for their side. They actually liked the graphic seeing as this is more a slam for someone from the US than it is for the rest of the world. It was an awesome conversation that I entertained for awhile. I eventually stopped the conversation and told that class that I think they understood Cultural Programming. I didn’t lecture nearly as long.
Cultural Programming gives you a sense of identity and self. It affects the way that you interpret things. It guides your decision making. It impacts you values and beliefs. Understanding your Cultural Programming will help you more become who you want to be.
Maybe someone should figure out how to Culturally Deprogram. Thoughts?
I am a teacher. Well, I am a teacher by trade, but it is also what I am – even if I didn’t do it as a profession. I was thinking about this today – but as I teacher, I … Continue reading
…..they just take all the things that you already know and put it together for their students in a new way. Just because you’re not learning anything new doesn’t mean that your teacher is not teaching. Teachers are teaching because … Continue reading
In the past, I would have said that it’s easier to just teach theory. Go to class. Just teach the next chapter. Keep it theory, and I would have fulfilled the requirements of that course. Easy enough. But teaching … Continue reading
This is not a new idea, but there is a difference between teaching students or teaching a subject.
Teaching a subject is easier than teaching students. Knowing your subject matter and having command of the information – does not a teacher make. Don’t get me wrong, there are a ton of teachers and can teach information. I’ve had many teachers that knew their information, but teaching people takes a special person.
Teaching students requires a personal connection. A teacher that can teach students can make any subject exciting. In fact, a teacher that can teach students doesn’t just do so in the classroom. Students seek out this type of teacher.
What kind of teacher are you?
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I have heard many people talk about how students don’t check their e mail. They talk about how they cannot get a hold of students because they never check their email.
A few weeks ago, I heard Christopher S. Penn talk about how students check their email. He was involved in Financial Aid and he was saying when scholarships are involved – they check their email. Well Ninja (which is what the guys at Media Hacks calls him), you were right. When it comes to scholarships – they check their e mail. So the lesson here is that students do check their emails – you just have to be super compelling for them to respond.
Our new students have arrived on campus. There is execitement in the air – because of the new students as well as the excitement that the new students bring. I have never seen students so excited to move in and make their beds. The past few days have been fun to watch them move in and interact with each other.
It seems that every event that we’ve done shows us so much about who they are and really who their family is. Amidst the excitement and exhiliration, I have been able to see the family stuff that each each student brings. You can think of them as full tuitions – as students – as young minds that have no idea what’s coming up. I watch them come, but one of the things that really caught me off guard this year was when they left. I recently posted about a beautiful love - seeing so many families say goodbye.
One thing that I realize (because I’m thinking through thoughts to blog) is this idea that with the hundreds of new students on campus – that they just bring their family “stuff” with them. Some of it I’ll get to deal with. Much of it they display for all to see. Some will keep it secret and will never share their family “stuff” which really tells you alot about who they are and maybe a little about their family. No matter where you go or what you do – you bring your family with you.
