Be True to Your School

Teachers cannot be robots. If every school was furnished with teachers that had uniform teaching styles and opinions, then we would all have a limited view of our world.  Everything would be black and white.  The truth is this: teachers are humans, and humans all carry a different set of values.  Although some of us were nearly certain our third grade teachers lived at school and didn't have lives, we must come to the reality that they are just like you and me.  In fact, relatively soon, I will become one.  I will have to make that tough decision of when to draw the line when it comes to authenticity in the classroom.

Where are the limits for expressing authenticity?  To be honest, I'm not entirely sure there are limits . . . at least, I don't think there should be.  I believe the best possible learning experience a student can receive is done so through a personal relationship with the instructor.  In order for this comfortable environment to be created, the teacher should be genuine.  Teachers need to be themselves because, more than likely, they can get their point across best when they are at their true state.  Students can tell when their teacher is being fake.  It can be detected so easily that as soon as the students catch on, all attention is lost.  The moment a teacher puts on a mask and delivers information in a manner that is not sincerely his/hers, the personal connection with the students is immensely weakened.  Learning can occur if the students do not feel comfortable.