Combine knowledge, emotional awareness for teaching
What does it take to face young adults — not just sharing knowledge, but creating a connection with these future professionals?
Most students can easily recall teachers who inspired them to reach their goals by taking the time to listen to them and provide encouragement.
Creating time for every student is not always an easy task, so a good teacher who combines their knowledge with emotional awareness impacts learning.
Teaching at a college encompasses all the skills you would imagine an educator demonstrating, such as organization, time management, planning, communication, and problem-solving. Creating a rich learning environment takes the basic teaching skills to a different level. However, in a college setting, students are young adults attending classes for a degree to help them seek a career.
Creating an emotional connection with students is essential in helping students understand how to learn. By the time students attend college, it is often assumed they have spent time honing their learning ability, but that is not always the case.
A critical gap occurs when teachers lack an emotional connection with students — the class can resemble a check-the-box routine without learning how to think as a young adult. Without an emotional connection, students might pass an exam but lack the teacher (mentor) relationship that can make a positive impression for the future.
Higher college courses require more focused learning in preparing for life after college. Teachers who demonstrate emotional awareness tend to create an environment of curiosity where questions are discussed, facilitating growth.
Building a good teaching relationship with young professionals starts with soft skills — those skills that are adaptable with an interpersonal focus in building rapport with students. Teachers’ soft skills are much like those for leaders in the business market, developing emotional intelligence and applying it for each situation.
Technology is used in preparing students for the future. However, the core needs of human nature remain the same. As in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, young professionals respond best to teachers who are engaged, patient, and willing to listen.
Teachers also serve as mentors in the world outside of a campus, where communication skills move to collaboration and problem-solving. Students are growing their knowledge in a specific area and learning how to ask questions and give feedback. Interacting with students in this way helps them prepare for future communications with colleagues in the workplace.
To become successful in helping young professionals succeed in the future, teachers need to demonstrate these skills such as adaptability, patience, empathy, self-awareness, curiosity, and transparency while conveying knowledge. Encouraging students to think and solve problems together gives them a feeling of affirmation that creates confidence.
As a college teacher, you are likely influencing tomorrow’s leaders.
It is an awesome responsibility to understand and appreciate your significance in a young professional’s career. Managing your teaching career often means you are a student in keeping an open mindset, being mindful of your needs, and always striving to combine knowledge through building emotional connections.