When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Gets Going… Going Gone!
We all have different ways of interacting with people and teaching, whether it be teaching kids, adults, or animals. (Sorry, had to toss that in there as I am constantly teaching my chocolate lab, Kennedy to behave.) How do you teach?
Let’s face it, teaching can get tough at times and you have to reclaim your “A” game. Allen N. Mendler pens many examples of how to do this in, “When Teaching Gets Tough: Smart Ways to Reclaim Your Game.” One way to teach is with BEEP- Belief, Energy, Emotion, and Passion throughout our days and the world would be a brighter place (Mendler, 9). This reminds me of Carole King’s song “Beautiful.” Try this, your impact will be greater, and your attitude might change.
While I have left what some consider being the traditional classroom, I am still teaching. Or rather, educating. I just educate a different audience. Educating kids can be easier at times. Kids wanted to show up to see me and enjoyed being in my class. In the new career that I am in, there are days that my audience does not always want to be there. I on the other hand, want to be there. I LOVE what I do and I hope that it shows!
That is what matters when you are teaching. No matter how challenging or difficult it may get, the people in front of you are the ones that count. Along with many strategies, when aiming for success, Mendler outlines “Six Pillars for Success,” these include:
- Relationship- Create a climate of community and be a cheerleader.
- Relevance- Connect what you are going to teach to something your audience can relate to.
- Responsibility- Allow people to get involved in making decisions and be held accountable. They will flourish.
- Success- Allow people to succeed, but challenge them to get better every day. Praise them when they do well and on their effort.
- Safety- People do best when they feel they are safe and when the person teaching them is in charge. Rules and guidelines are essential.
- Fun- Enjoy what you are doing and people will want to be around you. Don’t hide boring from them. Groan with them if you have to. (Mendler, 21-29)
When you step into any teaching situations, how do you handle them? It is essential to ask yourself these questions from the “Six Pillars for Success” when you do. Do you walk in with your head held low? Do you try to form relationships? Do you make the information relevant? Are people held responsible, able to succeed, and feel safe? Would you have fun if you were there? Teaching can be tough, but we all know that success is always there waiting and so are your students!


