Teaching reflections

Today is the end of the semester for me. My logic students are taking their final as I write.

This semester has been one of the most rewarding semesters of my life. It was so rewarding largely due to the fact that I was teaching three classes; one logic class at Baylor, and two classes (Intro to Philosophy and Philosophy of Religion) at Mary Hardin-Baylor. The joy of teaching students, especially students who want to learn, is something I find incredibly fulfilling. Seeing the light bulb turn on as a student understands something after much struggle. Watching students realize for possibly the first time that some questions don't have as easy of answers as they thought they did. Having those same students really wrestle with the issues, determined to come out on the other side. Receiving complements from students, explaining that they appreciated both the material covered in class as well as the presenter. All these and so much more made this semester so wonderful.

I've also done a lot of reflection, thinking back on the professors who shaped me, both as a person, and now I realize, as a professor. I find quirks in the way I go about things in the classroom that remind me of Stump, Meister, Erdel, and Petrik, whether it is in the way I teach, how I explain something, how I respond to something, the interaction with the students outside of class. I've long known that these men have had a profound impact on me as a person, and I am much better because of it. Now I realize, they too have shaped me as a teacher. I've had students respond to my teaching in ways much like I responded to theirs. This has affirmed that I am going down the right path, and hopefully I can continue to grow to become like these men who have taught me so much, both in and out of the classroom.