Well, I have (defended isn’t the right word – how to put it?) suggested possible ways to view Romney’s shifting political views in a more charitable light. Mainly, this was because I was offended by the knee-jerk partisan attacking that didn’t do much beyond view Romney’s rhetoric in the most uncharitable and worst possible light. (I think Charity, if a true principle, undergoes its greatest test when politics are involved).
But that doesn’t mean the criticisms aren’t valid.
Long ago, when I was on my mission, my companion and I attended a funeral. The specific denomination has been lost to time, but it was a Protestant Christian church. At one point in the service, the congregation stood and recited the Lord’s Prayer. I joined in. My companion stood, but she didn’t say it, though I’m not certain if it was because she didn’t know it well enough to say it, or because she thought it was wrong. Her reaction to me saying it – “You know this?” combined with a look like I was going to Hell – led me to think it was sort of both. I merely shrugged and said, “Sure,” and that was all we ever said to each other about it.
[Part 6 in a series about improving gospel teaching. Previous entries in the series: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5]
From Doctrine & Covenants:
And now, behold, I give unto you a commandment, that when ye are assembled together ye shall instruct and edify each other, that ye may know how to act and direct my church, how to act upon the points of my law and commandments, which I have given. (D&C 43:8)
This scripture makes reference to two primary goals when teaching: ‘instructing’ and ‘edifying’. Using these two goals as a guide, let’s discuss some basic philosophies in lesson preparation that will help students be both instructed and edified during class.
Once in a lifetime, a special teacher comes along and has a positive and tremendous impact for good on the lives of her students. Deanna Sauerbrunn was such a teacher for her students at Taylor Junior High in Mesa, Arizona.
For the record, Mrs. Sauerbrunn taught band at Taylor. Informally, she taught her students to love music and to love life. She had an unparalleled passion for both…and it showed.
[Part 5 in a series about improving gospel teaching. Previous entries in the series: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4]
Defining what makes a teacher ‘great’–as opposed to being merely ‘good’–is a very difficult proposition. “Good” teachers are usually easy to tell apart from “poor” teachers–but what makes a good teacher ‘great’? Don’t they just do the same things good teachers do, only somehow…you know, better?