Dear Campus School Families,
Great teachers are always thinking about how to help their students grow and
develop. The fruits of this thinking often come in an "aha" moment, when a
teacher comes to a particular understanding of a student and has new insight
into how to encourage this student's growth.
I remember a teacher of mine who figured out how to break through to my shy
and retiring ways in the classroom - I rarely volunteered answers, content,
instead, to sit back and observe. This teacher understood which button to push
and told me, one day, that I had an obligation to share my ideas with my
classmates. I felt guilty holding back and realized that it was selfish to do so. I
subsequently changed my ways, perhaps to the benefit of the class but more to
my benefit - this teacher knew I had to press against my uncomfortable edges
in order to grow.
Great teaching is a complex undertaking - and excellent teachers have a deep
understanding of and insight into their students. It is more art than science,
acquired from experience and informed by wisdom, creativity, and psychology.
Warmly,
Chris