“Thoughts On Teaching”

TUES., MAR. 27, 1990, 6:12 AM
FARM, STUDY

On your list of “things to do” is one that reads “Thoughts on Teaching.” You just assume that it is possible that someone may interview you, when word that you have been selected as the outstanding teacher of the year is spread “abroad.” I agree that it would be well to be prepared for such a possibility. If it doesn’t occur you shall be disappointed, as you should be. So I, the Holy Spirit, say you should be prepared, and I am ready to help.

Teaching, for you, is more than a job, more than a vocation and a profession. It is your life work and can truly be called your calling. You selected coaching, initially, because athletics had given you such pleasure. But you were led to the position at Punahou that required that you teach in the classroom also. You considered leaving teaching for work that would be higher paying, but, true to your calling, you recommitted yourself to teaching.

You decided on the university level, and you commenced your career well at Stanford. Yet that was not to be the place where your teaching would “flower.” In answer to your prayer I helped to bring you to this place, your “best place.” I have helped as you have developed the courses you now teach. I am pleased as you develop new approaches, and as you carry out “proven” ones, such as your class here at the Farm yesterday afternoon.

Though I still urge you to write, being a teacher through your printed words, I also approve of your enjoying the luxury of teaching, the luxury of a tenured, full professor. Fundamentally, I have told you many times in Our active relationship that I shall see that you shall have all of the resources you need for your life. So, thanks to Me for any monetary advantage, direct or indirect, is always appropriate. But you need not seek extra monies. You are paid well. Devote yourself, basically and vitally, to your teaching.

Your goal is to encourage, in students, a love affair with learning… and a commitment to the importance of the concepts in the courses you teach. You are a director of learning… an encourager. You, yourself, remain a learner, with the firm knowledge that you can learn much from the teaching of your courses and from the students, themselves. Even with your maturity and your knowledge. Your place is, essentially, in the group as a co-learner. Just as I, with you, am a co-creator and friend, so you shall be with those who come, voluntarily, to your classes.

Your role is not to be the hard task-master. Some do have that role, and it is an important one in the whole educational picture. But just as you found it difficult to impossible to be both a good counselor and a good disciplinarian, so it is difficult to be the one who gives tasks at which many do not feel success and also the one who encourages the feelings of accomplished learning.

Your primary task, as I have told you, is to touch and influence the spirit of those who come to learn. You are touting spirit as a reality and as a factor in health. You know that this spirit can grow and develop, and it is your pleasure-filled role to devise and carry out ways to help this happen. Be not bothered by the occasional “con artist,” who takes advantage of your approaches. Many more shall benefit if you proceed in faith – faith in the value of your style.

You must correct, when correction is warranted. Yet always let some praise accompany your critical comments. Be constantly aware of what excessive criticism can do to a spirit. Realize that you do not have to be balanced. It is right for you to be overbalanced toward encouragement and toward the recognition of what learners have done well.