I spoke to my high school chemistry teacher recently and shared that I don’t remember what he taught anymore. But I sure remember how he taught.
He was a Chemistry genius and stand-up comedian rolled into one. His style was to walk in with just a few pieces of chalk and a duster – he remains the only teacher from school who never brought a textbook with him.
Attempting to control a group of 40 boys in high school in the middle of the day was a task few succeeded at. Everyone else who succeeded did so because they inspired fear. He, however, inspired respect. We wanted to be tuned in to what he had to say.
He’d often start his class with a joke. For example, he’d wonder aloud as to why there existed an industry for sleeping pills. “Just use chemistry textbooks. Guaranteed to help you fall asleep in 2 minutes. ”
Then he’d go on to hold our attention for the next 40 minutes and make Chemistry come alive. He’d interact with us, treat every question seriously, and bring in humor at every opportunity. He believes any teacher who comes into a classroom intent on teaching something has it all wrong. Every class is simply an opportunity to interact and learn – with the subject being the excuse.
It was a masterclass in teaching…. and leadership. I am so grateful to have witnessed it up close.
PS: For those of you who get these notes via email, a double post edition today thanks to a time-zone kerfuffle that accidentally delayed yesterday’s note.
