Teaching as Dialogue

The most rewarding teaching isn’t about being the person who knows the most, it’s about being the person who sees the teacher-student relationship as a dialogue rather than a monologue.

No One Knows Everything

Understanding that you will never know everything means that you will have never-ending opportunities to learn and grow.

No matter how long you study Computer Science, there will always be more to learn. Not only is it a vast and varied field, it is also a field that is constantly growing and changing. The same is true of teaching. Someone dedicated to education is never done learning how to do their job and understands that they can learn from their students just as their students can learn from them.

What you do when you don't know something shapes what you have the potential to know in the future.

Valuing People

Many TAs are afraid to say they don't know something while they're working because they're worried it will make them look like they're not qualified to do their job. (We will talk about the nuances of this more when we discuss the impact Belonging can have in these situations.)

As a TA, being able to say, "I don't know. Let's look that up together," shows students that it really is okay in that space to not know things. Modeling a desire to continue learning helps to set a tone that will make it easier for them to ask questions and seek feedback. It also helps to establish what is realistic for them to expect of you.

While we've already talked about the dangers of assuming you know how someone else wants to be treated, one safe assumption to make is that all the students you work with want to be treated with respect. And, chances are, you want to be treated with respect too.

A show of respect based on feeling intimidated is unstable and inhibits connection. It also shuts down learning. On the other hand, when we receive respect that mirrors the respect we have given, that reciprocal dynamic promotes greater trust and connection, making it easier for everyone to feel vulnerable and ready to learn.

One of the most meaningful ways to demonstrate respect for someone is to show them that you can learn from them.