3 answers
Elijah
Student
Amboy, Illinois
3
Questions
Updated
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Teachers, best advice you've ever been told?
Teachers, as an aspiring teacher myself, I want to know the single best advice you were told that changed the outlook of your career. Something that hit you deeply.
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3 answers
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer, TRIO Program Administrator
1009
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Tacoma, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
It was the definition of what success is. I was told that:
Success as "peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming".
This definition emphasizes internal satisfaction from continuous effort and self-improvement, rather than external achievements like winning, wealth attainment or accolades.
This totally changed my perspective on what success is in life, and placed me on the path towards achieving greater things.
Success as "peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming".
This definition emphasizes internal satisfaction from continuous effort and self-improvement, rather than external achievements like winning, wealth attainment or accolades.
This totally changed my perspective on what success is in life, and placed me on the path towards achieving greater things.
Thank you, Paul!
Elijah
Letroy Toussaint
Musician
10
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Letroy’s Answer
The best advice I received as an educator was to remember the students are not your friends. You can develop close ties to some students due to their work ethic or their backstory, but it is best to remain professional at all times and maintain a safe physical and mental barrier between yourself and the students. This can also prove to be successful with coworkers as well in certain situations because familiarity breeds contempt is not just a cliche, it is a valid component of human interaction. The more familiar you become with someone, the more likely you are to find differences you may not like. It's a great job in the public or private sector, just maintain a safe distance when interacting with students, faculty and staff.
Natasha Wilson
Learning Scientist
2
Answers
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Updated
Natasha’s Answer
Hi!
Great question. I taught math in the K-16 space for many years. My advisor in college told me, "Never say anything your student can say."
Historically, math teachers often take a "do by observing me do" mentality towards teaching - whereby the teacher demonstrates how to solve the problem, tells the students the process, and then the students replicate the process. However, her quote was meant to imply that students often have a very good answer themselves. By encouraging them to engage in how to solve a problem, they often come up with the solution themselves, and with that, the student has developed agency in the learning process. This keeps the student engaged and has been shown to improve retention.
I hope you find this as helpful as I did!
Great question. I taught math in the K-16 space for many years. My advisor in college told me, "Never say anything your student can say."
Historically, math teachers often take a "do by observing me do" mentality towards teaching - whereby the teacher demonstrates how to solve the problem, tells the students the process, and then the students replicate the process. However, her quote was meant to imply that students often have a very good answer themselves. By encouraging them to engage in how to solve a problem, they often come up with the solution themselves, and with that, the student has developed agency in the learning process. This keeps the student engaged and has been shown to improve retention.
I hope you find this as helpful as I did!