Thanks, Al Strand, for sharing this philosophical approach to teaching from Professor David Hansen on Columbia University. I’m trying to approach all of my life’s endeavors with this idea of *purposefulness, and I think that this conversation serves as a reinforcement to my decision to do Teach For America.
No, I don’t have an education background. And no, I’m not going to have spent as much time in the classroom as I would like by my first day of school as a teacher.
But I don’t think that there is a set list of characteristics you must be able to do in order to be a good teacher. I know that I’m going to be able to draw from my experiences as a passionate student, friend, family member, and participant in my community so that I can be a positive addition in my students’ lives.
* = possibly a made-up word
A.M.Roth 