I like to start with a quote. “Teachers are people who start things they never see finished, and for which they never get thanks until it is too late.” Max Leon Forman (1909-1990) Jewish-American writer. I became a teacher to give back something of myself to the students of the future. I was blessed with the unique gift of being as they say, book smart. I went to college and went on to graduate sc
hool where I earned a dental degree. After retiring from dentistry I needed to do something. One of my patients, Mr. Hancock of Ithaca, NY said I would be a great teacher. He said I have so much to offer that I would make a difference. The rest is history as they say. My philosophy as such is teach the material from accredited text books and change and augment my lessons based on success in the classroom or failure in the classroom. I just do not teach I must learn the students. The success of any individual is measured not only by his/her successes but by his/her failures. I try to instill in my students the need to pass, not only my class, but all classes. It is our power of reasoning and the ability to learn that separates us from other primates. To learn them and then they can use that knowledge in the furthering of their own education….that is what my ultimate goal. To open their eyes to the world and all it has to offer, once, you have that education. As a guide for my students I must know the different ways each student learns, what knowledge they previously had of the subject area and experience in the material that we are covering and try to incorporate that information into my teaching and into the curriculum. In a manner of speaking I am more into case based teaching and similar learning activities. My style is so simple teach the material so that the students can understand but make it as enjoyable as possible. I don’t have a label for my teaching style I only have thanks from my students who I have had the pleasure to have taught.
“Doc was my advanced Anatomy and Physiology teacher at Seacrest Country Day School. Going to a private school my whole life, I was very used to being babied by my teachers and not having strict rules enforced. When I first met Doc, I knew immediately that he would be different. Doc kept us in line and inspired us to do as well as we possibly could. Doc believes in his students and pushes them to be even better. By the end of the year, I had learned so much in his class and was proud of myself for getting the grade that I got. When I went to college the following year, it was because of Doc's teaching style that I survived. I realized that in college, most professors are like Doc: not easy, but worth it. I am very thankful to have had Doc as my teacher and I hope he knows how much his class has helped me in college”. Alexandra J. Hunt
I am trying to make a difference today and I feel like Max Leon Forman that many times we start things and never really see the finished product, but, I have been thanked by many of my students as I am still in contact with most of them.
06/14/2022
