After reading an article on education titled, “Educating the Unmotivated"(Ronald W. Luce), I began to think about our traditional teaching methods. Perhaps it is not so much what we teach, but rather how we teach it, and how the students perceive to learn something. I mean, Ben Stein gets a bad rap for “Buheler, Buheler, anyone, Buheler” as well he should…but to me rings so true. I mean when you are in front of a class, that is primarily what kids hear from us. That is why I think it important for kids to see me and my subject matter as “cool”. Now do I really care that my students think I’m cool? Of course not. But if they perceive me as someone that they can listen and relate to, they will actually soak up what you are saying, and not hear the withdrawn Mr. Stein. Speak to students on their level…do NOT be too in charge. They know you are the boss already and do not need to be reminded of it all the time.

Educators need to get students interested in what they are learning.

Essentially, what we are saying is that what we have done in the past has not worked. Not at the school I teach at, not in traditional public schools, and not across the board nationwide. There is not one solution to this problem, nor is there an easy answer. But if can make learning fun, empower our students, get away from traditional teaching methods, and avoid being the boring Mr. Ben Stein, I think we are well on our way of seeing an increase of student motivation, test scores, and an all around better learning environment.

Smile...today could be your last.