Learning is Fun, sometimes.

As a future educator I pay close attention to the attributes of good teachers. Whether its my husband teaching me to snowboard, watching my friend teach kindergartners the alphabet, or listening to college professors giving lectures I'm always taking notes. I've come to realize that the best teachers in the world give you the feeling that they are sharing something valuable with you, as though knowledge were little tasty bits of your favorite treat (mine would be cheese). They make you feel eager to be around them so you can have another bit of what they're sharing. They have a love of their field, a passion for what they do, that makes you feel lucky to learn from them. Another equally important aspect of a good teacher from kindergarten to graduate school or even an informal lesson is the ability to give your students the feeling of a job well done. Like telling your novice snowboarder she's improving every time she falls, or telling a kindergartner it was great of them to try the alphabet even though they missed a few letters, or a simple supportive nod to the college student who tries to participate in class.

Perhaps it was my unfortunate encounter with one of the worst professors I've ever had that made me realize what a great teacher really is. This semester I was excited to take a class on prejudice and discrimination but my excitement was instantly quelled on the first day of class by the professor, Gesemia Nelson. Dr. Nelson has none of the qualities listed above and actually makes an effort to be the opposite of a good teacher. She started the semester by subtly but purposefully letting the class know that she was Harvard educated. She spent the first day of class telling us how fortunate we were as students to be learning from her. Then, Dr. Nelson went on to explain the difference between a customer/service provider relationship and a student/teacher relationship, making the point that students don't have the same rights as customers to complain. And in an almost prophetic way, Dr. Nelson said she wasn't "here to make friends". During this first encounter with Dr. Nelson I could only imagine why she was saying all of this but it is at the end of a treacherous semester with her that my best guesses are substantiated.

In an upper-division class, such as this, we should have been able and even encouraged to participate in class discussion but this is not Dr. Nelson's forte as she found it nearly impossible to take a question or comment from the class without getting lost. Her distaste for veering off of her very structured, linear and dry lectures became visible on her face anytime a student offered a comment. Her best solution to this problem was not to become a more open facilitator but to allow the students one day to discuss the subjects among themselves for one class period. This was not only a pathetic attempt to make up for a semester of silencing us but was also unproductive. Though she may be Harvard educated and have a Doctorate under her belt at a young age Dr. Nelson clearly learned nothing about being a good teacher.

Dr. Gesemia Nelson, if you happen to read this someday I hope that you have either learned to become a better teacher or moved on to a profession that utilizes your strengths more adequately like a judge, probation officer, or prison warden.