Explaining what you teach
"Ms. Mentor," the advice columnist at the Chronicle of Higher Education, gives a few examples of how some instructors explain what they teach:
Some teachers do come up with sprightly retorts. One theater professor, tired of "Oh, you put on plays, how cool is that!" introduces herself as a teacher of "critical-thinking skills and group problem-solving" through "history, aesthetics, criticism, and production"—which intrigues interesting people, and turns away the less-than-curious. Other teachers cut off the predictable response with their own success stories: "My students can parse a political party platform" or "We're working on a cure for malaria" or "I'm an expert on gerunds!"
Read more from the column here.
Grow the Future of Public Media
MPR News is supported by Members. Gifts from individuals power everything you find here. Make a gift of any amount today to become a Member!