Experience Summary
Teaching has been a source of great pleasure for me. While I was working at regular full-time jobs, I usually had a part-time teaching position. Over a period of 16 years, I have taught more than 50 classes at community colleges, four-year colleges and universities. I also tutored children and high school students, mostly for friends, and mostly for the fun of it. Four of my five children have gone on to engineering or computer science degrees and really love their work. As a manager, I saw myself as a teacher also. I found that an open-minded team approach brings out the best abilities in everyone, when they feel safe to contribute, whether on a work team or in a class room.
Teaching Style
In my experience, fear and self-consciousness interfere the most with learning. This seems especially true of arithmetic and higher levels of math. I don't believe that children should force themselves to memorize something they don't understand just to please a teacher. It is my job to find a way to make it clear. I try to relate all material to the student's experience. I like to watch carefully until I see a spark, and then enjoy the experience with the student. I believe that the best motivation is to have a teacher accept you and believe that you can do it.