Teaching - some people just shouldn't do it.

As a college student again, having aged considerably since my first foray into post-secondary education, I have come to the conclusion that most persons have no business trying to make a living as a teacher. In fact, some persons who are currently filling the position of instructor or professor, really ought to be mushroom farming or working as the video editor on "how to irritate people - part II".

Since very few ever take my advice, I thought that I would give it anyway and set forth a few simple lessons for those of you who may be contemplating a career in teaching someone else something useful.

#1 - Cordiality is often useful. A scowl, and glaring looks often do not enhance the atmosphere of learning.

#2 - Continually repeating the phrase "this is very easy" to persons who have never learned the subject at hand, (particularly subjects such as Physics, Chemistry and Organic Chemistry) is bad form and strangely makes people secretly want to poison your tea.

#3 - A single spaced typed (with a typewriter! in 2006!) sheet of paper which outlines the syllabus is NOT an exam review sheet.

#4 - If 80% of your class FAIL your first exam, either the class has erroneously been filled from the local state asylum or you stink as a teacher. If 60% of your class drops after 3 weeks, then either your body odor has become unbearable, the admin building is giving away starbucks during your class period or once again, you stink as a teacher.

#5 - Learning is a partnership. Ignoring the recent high school graduate who is majoring in pork rinds and accidently took chemistry or physics or OChem because he thought it sounded neat, learning is a relationship with equal responsibility on both sides. It is the responsibility of the teacher to ensure that the student is learning and the responsibility of the student to learn - to put forth the effort and time required to tackle a particular subject. Scribbling on a blackboard is not instruction. Sleeping in class is not learning.

#6 - Don't become a teacher simply because you need a job and can't do anything else. If you do not feel that teaching is what you want to do and should do because you have a passion for it - don't bother. You will waste the time and money of your students and make yourself miserable.

The problem of "Higher education" in America will not be solved until education itself is valued.