Palmer says that we teach who we are, and looking back I realize that the reason that those teachers made such a difference in not only my life but the lives of many students is that they were teaching from their true core. They knew who they were, and were unapologetically themselves. This got me thinking about how I can step into the shoes of the many incredible teachers before me, and teach from my inner truth. Adopting a teaching style that is accepting of my true self will enable me to not only empathize with my students but become a better teacher because of the level of understanding of not only myself but my students as well. By adopting this form of teaching, I can avoid the major consequences Palmer describes if we approach teaching with fear because I will be teaching with confidence and acceptance- of not only my self but my students as well.
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Palmer says that we give our hearts to our students as an act of love. For the self, for the knowledge, and for the student. He goes on to say that no matter how technical the subject may be, the things we teach should be the things we care about- and what we care about defines our selfhood. So I want to ask- what do YOU care about?
For me, I want to teach Interpersonal Communication. Palmer would be proud of me because I see my heart all over Interpersonal Communication. Mr. Casey Chilton was my professor, and he happened to be one of the most incredible people and teachers I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Not only did I love my professor, I LOVED the subject even more. I found myself not only fascinated with the class application of the materials but utilizing what I learned in the classroom in the real world as well. I lived and breathed Interpersonal Communication. And it's no surprise that I did my term project over Interpersonal Communication. I completely nerded out thinking about the possibility of teaching this class one day. I mean, a girl can dream #AMIRIGHT
Anywhoo, signing out for now. Comment below- what course do YOU see YOUR heart in?
Finding the subject that you love is probably one of the most important aspects of not only teaching but learning as well. I had changed my major about three-four times before finalizing my choice of graduating with a degree in Communication Studies. I knew I wanted to be an IDO focus with a study in social media, but I was not too sure yet where I was focusing my research interests. One thing I was sure about, when I began teaching, I became more in love with the field of Communication Studies because talking more and more about the field to students who were not as familiar with the material was so engaging! I was actually really excited everyday to go and teach the material to my students, and the passion in teaching the material with my students fed into my passion for learning new material in my graduate classes. In my rhetorical methods class (although I am not rhetoric-focused) I began to learn more about health campaigns and message framing. As a result, I have become more intrigued by the study of health communication and social media, where I actually find myself talking about health campaigns and message framing outside of school (nerdy...I know). When you love a subject, you love to learn about that subject, and you love to teach about that subject. I hope to teach health communication and maybe a special topics course relating to social media/health campaigns one day!
ReplyDeleteZane, I can relate on changing your major multiple times.
DeleteI originally went into undergrad as a nursing major, with college credit from dual credit courses in highschool. So I was placed in an advanced chemistry class, and it was very overwhelming for a freshman. With that being said, I immediately got out of the nursing program. And man oh man was I lost. My mom is a nurse, and I had grown up practicing starting IV's on oranges. (Nerdy, like you said, I know) Anywhoo... Yeah, I was lost. I was going to be a nurse for as long as I can remember. So I continued my education as "undeclared" or "undecided", I can't remember what it is called. I was taking most of the entry level courses available, in hopes to find SOMETHING to do with the rest of my life....
I was taking Intro to Communication (which we call 1310 at Texas State, sorry yall, once a bobcat always a bobcat! #eatemup) and intro to psychology at the same time.. and I was interested in both. However, I knew that in order to do much of anything with psychology you would need to pursue a great deal more of education and I wasn't sure that I was wanting to go that route. My second semester of college I decided to try out communication studies and I enrolled in a sophmore level Interpersonal Communication class. Honestly, that class was one of the most difficult courses I have taken to this day, but by far my number one favorite. My professor's name was Casey Chilton, and he is definitely my role model. His teaching style is definitely unique, and funnily enough most people didn't like him or his class, but I was different than "most". Prof. Chilton was DETAILED in all of his instructions, and clear about his expectations, and since he was so detailed and clear he expected you to follow his instructions to the T. (Which I don't find too difficult... following instructions) If you excluded a portion of his paper that he was clear needed to be included, he would grade harder and deduct a great deal of points for not following the directions.
Anyways, my point is, I freaking LOVE HIM.
I fell in love with Interpersonal Communication, and I couldn't get enough.
You know, sometimes I wonder if I chose the right major, and if I am going down the correct path of life... but one thing I DO know without a shadow of a doubt, is Casey Chilton changed my life with the information he taught, and his love for not only the learning and the subject, but for his students as well, and I hope to be that for someone some day.