Keith Forrest, Assistant Professor of Communication

Teaching Philosophy

 

There are four primary ingredients needed for someone to become an exceptional educator.  First, you must have an excellent command of your specific subject area.  Second, you must understand how students learn, and be able to utilize learning theory to create and execute dynamic lesson plans.  Third, you must serve as mentor for students by considering their educational well-being in a three-dimensional way that extends beyond the classroom, aiming to help them succeed in life.  Fourth, you must relish the counseling/advising function of teaching.  I believe this role is often ignored by many teachers.  My educational philosophy views student development in a holistic manner with students as equal partners in that process.    

 

An excellent command of your subject area is more than just knowing the material in the discipline.  An effective educator must have the ability to constantly see that material in new ways.  You must be able to synthesize the plane between the abstract and the concrete in a way that brings the material to life for students.  To reach students, you must constantly preach the practicality of what they are learning, regardless of the subject matter.  Part of that process is explaining clearly how lessons from your classroom will serve them outside the college walls.

 

An effective educator understands that the traditional pedagogical model of students as empty vessels that are there to be filled with information should be relegated to the dustbin of educational history.  To engage and excite students’ minds, you must employ a variety of learning techniques including collaborative and cooperative learning.  You must also seek ways to accommodate different learning styles including visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners.  Collaborative learning is the epicenter of a dynamic classroom because it makes students partners in their education.  By working together on projects and exercises, they are able to develop more nuanced understandings of course material.  In addition, it transforms an ordinary classroom into a learning community.  Collaborative learning also facilitates the use of all five senses in the pursuit of knowledge.  Research has shown that students are more likely to synthesize material if they utilize multiple senses in that process.       

 

Being a mentor is more than just serving as a good role model.  It means using an integrated and dynamic approach to education.  Part of serving as an exemplar is a willingness to make adjustments to your approach throughout your career.  A great teacher is also an excellent student, soliciting feedback from students, peers, administrators, and others to identify ways to strengthen his or her abilities as an educator.  This also sets a good example for students.  Part of being a mentor is leading by example.  The value of constructive criticism is one of the most important lessons that students need to learn to grow their cognitive abilities.  I agree with education theorist James McKenzie, who writes that, “Good teachers create learning journeys around essential questions and then make sure that students enjoy many rich opportunities to explore those questions.”  An effective mentor emphasizes repeated interactions with all students, not just a select few. 

 

Enthusiasm for the counseling/advising function of a educator is often what separates good teachers from great teachers.  This is an important part of taking a holistic approach to education.  Being an effective counselor/advisor goes beyond just simply helping students choose their courses for the next semester.  It means spending the time necessary with students to understand their life goals, and how their education fits in with those aspirations.  An effective teacher will also help students navigate their way past anxieties about the college process and help facilitate ways for them to increase their self esteem and succeed in life.