Copyright © Louis Schmier and Atwood Publishing.

Date: Thu, 9 Dec 1999 08:23:06 -0500 (EST)
Random Thought: Advice on Teaching

I received a message from a young teacher-to-be. He was scared. He was going into his first classroom. He wanted advice on how to teach. What could I tell him. I was gratified by the request, but I don't really like to give advice so much as I share myself. After all, I know myself best and others least. This is what I told him I do, and I'd like to share it with you:

Want to be there with every fiber of your being. Teach each and every student. Reach out and touch that other human being, one at a time. Stop looking for pat answers, for such-fire formulae, for the one way, for guarantees. There aren't any. Trust your instinct.

Scared? That's okay. You should be. I am. Every day. What you are doing is important. 

Make it a good day. 

                                                       --Louis--


Louis Schmier                     lschmier@valdosta.edu
Department of History             http://www.halcyon.com/arborhts/louis.html 
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA  31698                        /~\    /\ /\
912-333-5947                       /^\    /   \  /  /~ \     /~\__/\
                                  /   \__/     \/  /     /\ /~      \
                            /\/\-/ /^\___\______\_______/__/_______/^\
                          -_~     /  "If you want to climb mountains, \ /^\
                             _ _ /      don't practice on mole hills" -\____

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