Stepping into Students' Shoes: Summer Study

To be a student during the summer months is to elevate your empathy for the students you teach. As you sit and learn, you realize how taxing learning can be from the students' point of view. You also notice pedagogical choices that work in your favor and those that don't. Personally I prefer a mix of active and passive learning. I also only have so much patience for listening alone, and when it comes to more complex concepts, I generally profit from a multi-media presentation rather than straight reading. As educators we can't forget the needs our learners bring to school each day--needs that include breaks, movement, healthy snacks/food, positivity, multiple learning paths/choices, positive teamwork, and caring coaching.