Comments on “Master teachers”

“At a time when nearly everyone seems to have a hard-held opinion on teacher performance in grades K through 12 (often tied to student standardized-test scores), there is surprisingly little attention paid to the qualities of an exceptional teacher at the higher levels of education, especially at major research universities, where other priorities such as contributions to a scholarly community and campus intellectual life must be weighed. ”

In response to this, I say to look at Residential College initiatives at large research universities– such as James Madison College or Lyman Briggs College at Michigan State University. These are places where the professors are dedicated to teaching first- research second.

I think we could all benefit from more teachers with this attitude: “I just love this stuff. I want to keep learning about it. And I want to help people understand it better.”

It’s such a key point to convey to students as well wherever they may be on their journey of lifelong learning.

http://post2ndry.wordpress.com

It is professors like these — whose subjects clearly make them tick, who foster learning rather than force it, who care deeply about their students — that made my Boston College education the immensely fulfilling, worthwhile experience that it was.