Teaching Philosophy
Aspiring to be a good teacher, but already a lifelong learner.
Undergrad day with my biggest fans - son Ben and daughter Connie
Undergrad day with my biggest fans - son Ben and daughter Connie
I view my responsibilities as a corporate trainer to include not only the effective transfer of insurance knowledge, but also, and, more importantly, the passion to learn and the skills required for critical thinking. The time I have with each student is limited--three days at a maximum and two hours at a minimum. Therefore, it is important to communicate the desire to learn and to enable participants to leave with an ability to make sense of technical documents.
As I reflect on my best teachers as a high school student, I think of the common denominators in their classes. Each had a high level of preparedness, the ability to engage their students, and their dogged insistence on students completing the work. They were passionate about their vocation. Many years have passed since I have had interaction with these three, but the impact of their respective classes remain. It isn’t what I learned that’s important, but that I wanted to learn while I was in their classrooms. That’s the environment I strive to create. I am quite close to this process, as my undergraduate work was completed in the last 24 months.
My responsibilities
My strategy for student encounters has three components. The first is preparation. I am charged with having a high level of knowledge in each topic presented. As with many other industries, insurance issues are anything but static. Every class requires review of the material for relevance, but also thoughtful consideration of audience needs, and subsequent adaptation so that delivery is appropriate.
Second, I must inject the sessions with enthusiasm, and display a love of my topic that is infectious. It is imperative that students experience the joy of discovery, and leave the class with an intent to seek additional learning opportunities.
Third, I must provoke questions. As Ramsey Musallam stated in his TED Talk*, “Curiosity comes first. Questions can be windows to great instruction, but not the other way around.” Students should be challenged to contemplate the reasons for certain policy language, and to further consider the consequences of these provisions for their clients. Without the ability to apply a discerning eye to material presented, students are unable to effectively assess the impact or to compare coverages between carriers.
The students’ responsibilities
Regardless of the topic or the skill of the instructor, there are some factors that remain in the realm of the student. Among these are motivation, discipline and respect for others in the classroom. Any two of these three will likely lead to a positive result.
Students who are motivated exhibit an intent to make the day count. Those who are disciplined may only be resigned to their fate--perhaps they’re prisoners, who are directed to attend, but would rather not. Yet they still behave appropriately in the classroom.
Students with respect for their peers and the instructor will act as though they care, participate as directed and avoid side conversations as well as remarks that would be considered offensive.
Methods
Like many other educators, Blooms' Taxonomy looms large. Some lecture is required, but activities are necessary to make the text move beyond mere exposure to the material:
Case studies - to reinforce real-life application of concepts and terms (Apply)
Open discussion - to foster thought and raise unresolved issues (Critical thinking)
Teach-backs - to force repetition of material and to assess level of understanding (Understand)
Group projects - to give a voice to those who may not want to speak out in large groups, and to allow small groups to develop their own case studies. (Create and Analyze)
Lightning round - timed group activity to list concepts learned the day before (Remember)
Knowledge checks - to review material covered and determine gaps in knowledge transfer (Evaluate)
Regardless of the topic or the skill of the instructor, there are some factors that remain in the realm of the student. Among these are motivation, discipline and respect for others in the classroom. Any two of these three will likely lead to a positive result.
Students who are motivated exhibit an intent to make the day count. Those who are disciplined may only be resigned to their fate--perhaps they’re prisoners, who are directed to attend, but would rather not. Yet they still behave appropriately in the classroom.
Students with respect for their peers and the instructor will act as though they care, participate as directed and avoid side conversations as well as remarks that would be considered offensive.
Methods
Like many other educators, Blooms' Taxonomy looms large. Some lecture is required, but activities are necessary to make the text move beyond mere exposure to the material:
Case studies - to reinforce real-life application of concepts and terms (Apply)
Open discussion - to foster thought and raise unresolved issues (Critical thinking)
Teach-backs - to force repetition of material and to assess level of understanding (Understand)
Group projects - to give a voice to those who may not want to speak out in large groups, and to allow small groups to develop their own case studies. (Create and Analyze)
Lightning round - timed group activity to list concepts learned the day before (Remember)
Knowledge checks - to review material covered and determine gaps in knowledge transfer (Evaluate)
Goals
My goals for professional growth include staying on top of insurance trends, and increasing my skills in the teaching arena. Activities include:
Professional organization involvement
CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter) - monthly meeting attendance, special event participation, attendance to webinars of interest
CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) - annual education updates - 20 hours of class
NAIP (National Association of Insurance Professionals) - Attend meetings, educational events, current hold office as Treasurer of Nashville association.
SITE (Society of Insurance Trainers & Educators - conference attendance and participation in webinars
Subscriptions to Insurance Publications
NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners)
IRMI (Insurance Risk Management International)
Business Insurance
My goals for professional growth include staying on top of insurance trends, and increasing my skills in the teaching arena. Activities include:
Professional organization involvement
CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter) - monthly meeting attendance, special event participation, attendance to webinars of interest
CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) - annual education updates - 20 hours of class
NAIP (National Association of Insurance Professionals) - Attend meetings, educational events, current hold office as Treasurer of Nashville association.
SITE (Society of Insurance Trainers & Educators - conference attendance and participation in webinars
Subscriptions to Insurance Publications
NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners)
IRMI (Insurance Risk Management International)
Business Insurance