The best way to learn is to teach.
I’ve heard this axiom all my adult life it seems. I’m sure I first heard it from one of my middle school or high school teachers. That would make so much sense.
I accepted a Teacher Assistant job this year at Trent Lott Academy in Pascagoula. Trent Lott Academy (TLA) and it’s counterpart Singing River Academy in Gautier are designed specifically for 5th- and 6th-grade students in our public school district who are transitioning from lower elementary to upper elementary curriculum, learning modules, and testing standards.
Principal Stewart Smirthwaite (TLA) is one of the most intelligent, well-balanced, and fun-loving leaders I have ever worked with. We have been coworkers for several years as I drove buses for our district and enjoyed morning greetings, occasional chats at district events, and a few somewhat tedious moments with a student or two. We agree that bus drivers are as much educators as classroom teachers and administrators, as bus drivers are the ‘first face of the district’ that our bus rider children see everyday, and — the last. All our roles are critically important to the child’s daily learning experience.
So, now that I am in the classroom setting, the perspective has shifted a bit. I get to see first-hand the daily progression as our students move from first-time greetings of new friends, to next levels of study and curriculum, to more challenging solutions and outcomes — all within the context of growing up as preteens in a most complex and diverse world.
The role of teaching is one of tremendous responsibility. And quite humbling at this grade level. Children, in general, are filled with loads of sugar-induced energy, which can quickly turn to exhaustion, which can wildly turn to impatience, which can immediately turn to distraction, which can become …. who knows what?!. All in about two minutes! Factor in a range of emotional influences in our society such as entertainment, competition sports, and puberty!
[[ pause for third cup of coffee … and, I’m ADHD … so, pardon the interruption ]]
Where was I … oh yes, #influences.
So, what about influence? Who are the influencers in the lives of children each day? Who cares enough to offer influence? Good, or bad? We all know that electronic devices are now a 24/7 influence. Like it or not.
One of my mentors, Simon Sinek, has written and spoken quite prolifically about the influence of electronic media on the current generation of #millennials and #nexGen young people. Another excellent mentor is Dr. Tim Elmore, who coaches and consults those of us in education, ministry, and coaching.
Children learn from what they see, hear, and feel. They model the actions, behaviors, and attitudes that their parents, grandparents, guardians, teachers, ministers, entertainers, superstar athletes, and other leaders express. They are watching, listening, and experiencing.
With one full week of teaching in the bag, I realize all over again just how urgent and important it is that I continually learn. Learn from my superiors. Learn from my peers. Learn from my students.
Children are a ‘heritage’ from the Lord, scripture teaches. If that is so, we must do our utmost to inspire, motivate, protect, and nurture the minds of the children whom the Lord himself has placed in our paths. Our futures, and theirs, are at stake.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is dispair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy; — St. Francis of Assisi
At this age, most people have determined their likes and dislikes, preferences, and behaviors. And, no one really likes to change. Well, almost no one. I am one of those very interesting (and sometimes frustrating) adult ADHD specimens who is always looking, and seeking, and pursuing, and discovering, and inquiring. I have ‘words’, as my sweet quiet introvert wife Sheryl will attest. Lord that woman has patience with me!