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What a Professor Learned by Becoming a Student

Cade Simmons

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Published in My Freshman Year: What A Professor Learned By Becoming A Student

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I've been a professor for over 20 years. I've taught thousands of students, and I've written dozens of articles and books about teaching and learning. But a few years ago, I decided to do something I'd never done before: I went back to school as a student.

I was curious about what it would be like to be on the other side of the desk. I wanted to experience what my students were experiencing. And I hoped to learn something new about teaching and learning.

My Freshman Year: What a Professor Learned by Becoming a Student

by Rebekah Nathan

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	525 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	214 pages

I enrolled in a master's program in education. I took courses on educational psychology, curriculum design, and assessment. I read books and articles about the latest research on teaching and learning. And I participated in discussions with my classmates, who were all experienced teachers.

Going back to school was a challenging but rewarding experience. I learned a lot about teaching and learning. But I also learned a lot about myself.

Here are some of the most important lessons I learned:

Students are not empty vessels. They come to school with their own experiences, knowledge, and beliefs. My job as a teacher is to help them build on what they already know and to challenge them to think critically about the world around them.
Learning is not a spectator sport. Students need to be actively involved in their own learning. They need to read, write, discuss, and reflect on what they're learning. My job as a teacher is to create opportunities for students to do this.
Assessment is not just about grading. Assessment can be a powerful tool for helping students learn. It can provide feedback on their progress and help them identify areas where they need to improve. My job as a teacher is to use assessment to help students learn, not just to judge them.
Teaching is not just about delivering information. Teaching is about creating a learning environment where students feel supported, challenged, and inspired. My job as a teacher is to create a classroom where students can thrive.
Learning is a lifelong process. I'm grateful for the opportunity I had to go back to school and learn new things. I'm committed to continuing to learn and grow as a teacher.

Going back to school was one of the best decisions I've ever made. It was a challenging but rewarding experience that taught me a lot about teaching, learning, and myself. I'm grateful for the opportunity I had to learn from my students and my classmates. And I'm excited to continue to use what I've learned to help my students learn and grow.

If you're a teacher, I encourage you to consider going back to school. It's a great way to learn new things, to reflect on your teaching practice, and to renew your passion for teaching.

And if you're a student, I encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities you have to learn. Be an active participant in your learning. Ask questions. Challenge your teachers. And never stop learning.

Learning is a lifelong process. And it's one of the most important things we can do.

My Freshman Year: What a Professor Learned by Becoming a Student

by Rebekah Nathan

4.1 out of 5