45 years of teaching

What has 45 years of teaching taught me?

--Cultural forces outside of the classroom require changing strategies in the classroom.

--Teaching focused on dispensing information makes no sense in the Internet age. Strategies for thinking, pattern seeking and problem solving are where it's at.

--The authority figure in the front of the classroom with students looking at the backs of one another's heads makes limited sense anymore.

--Teach in a circle format, emphasize connection, all accountable to the success of the class, the teacher a learner as well in the process of education.

--Make as great an effort as possible to reach and teach the student as a whole person.

--An education is not about a degree or a skill or a profession. It's about being a full human being.

--A teacher should encourage curiosity and a love of learning--a helluva difficult thing in a culture that floods us with the pedestrian and the mediocre.

--A curious, educated, interesting human being will always be a productive member of society.