David McCullough, a successful teacher and author said: “What matters most in learning is attitude - the attitude of the teacher.” This may come as a surprise to some that read this, thinking that the attitude of the student would be of greater importance. As a teacher, however, you need to understand and embrace the power you hold. A positive attitude can be infectious, inspiring others to want to learn. Your attitude on the subject and feelings toward the students can be the means of bringing greater help from the Holy Ghost. Of course, we realize that with the principle of free agency, you cannot force a student to learn or control their attitudes. But you can definitely control your own, and with that, make a difference in your class room.
David M. McConkie, Former 1st Counselor in the General Sunday School Presidency said, “Successful gospel teachers love the gospel. They are excited about it. And because they love their students, they want them to feel as they feel and to experience what they have experienced. To teach the gospel is to share your love of the gospel.”
Please keep in mind this goal as you serve in your teaching responsibility: Testimony Building, Not Information Sharing
To read the rest of the talk given by Brother McConkie on Teaching and Learning from the October 2010 session of General Conference, please refer to the following URL:
Gospel Learning and Teaching
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/gospel-learning-and-teaching?lang=eng&_r=1
“What matters most is the attitude or spirit by which the teacher teaches.”
“Successful gospel teachers love the gospel. They are excited about it. And because they love their students, they want them to feel as they feel and to experience what they have experienced. To teach the gospel is to share your love of the gospel.”
“Brothers and sisters, a teacher’s attitude is not taught; it’s caught.”
“How, then, do we develop the attitude necessary to be a successful teacher? I would like to discuss four basic principles of gospel teaching. First, immerse yourself in the scriptures. We cannot love what we do not know. Develop a habit of daily scripture study, separate and apart from your lesson preparation. Before we can teach the gospel, we must know the gospel.”
“The Lord has commanded us to search the scriptures,6 to feast upon them,7 and to treasure them up.8 As we earnestly search and ponder the word of the Lord, we will have His Spirit with us. We will become acquainted with His voice.”
“Brothers and sisters, it is contrary to the economy of heaven for the Lord to repeat to each of us individually what He has already revealed to us collectively. The scriptures contain the words of Christ. They are the voice of the Lord. Studying the scriptures trains us to hear the Lord’s voice.”
“Our work, first and foremost as teachers, is to keep the commandments with all of our might, mind, and strength.”
“...even if you use all the right teaching techniques and what you are teaching is true, without the Spirit real learning is not going to take place.”
‘The role of the teacher is “to help individuals take responsibility for learning the gospel—to awaken in them the desire to study, understand, and live the gospel.” This means that as teachers we should not focus so much on our performance as on how we help others learn and live the gospel.’
“When was the last time you knelt in prayer and asked the Lord to help you not just with your lesson but also to help you to know and to meet the needs of each student in your class? No class is so large that we cannot pray for inspiration regarding how to reach each student.”
“age and maturity and intellectual training are not in any way or to any degree necessary to communion with the Lord and His Spirit.”
“The promises of the Lord are certain. If you earnestly search the scriptures and treasure up in your minds the words of life, if you keep the commandments with all of your heart and pray for each student, you will enjoy the companionship of the Holy Ghost and you will receive revelation.”
“...it is of utmost importance that we exercise our agency and act, without delay, in accordance with the spiritual promptings we receive.”
‘President Thomas S. Monson taught: “We watch. We wait. We listen for that still, small voice. When it speaks, wise men and women obey. Promptings of the Spirit are not to be postponed.”’
“You must not be afraid to exercise your agency and act upon the thoughts and impressions that the Spirit of the Lord puts into your heart. You may feel awkward at first, but I promise you that the sweetest and most gratifying experiences you will have as a teacher will be when you submit to the will of the Lord and follow the promptings you receive from the Holy Ghost. Your experiences will strengthen your faith and give you greater courage to act in the future.”
“Dear teachers, you are one of the great miracles of this Church. You have a sacred trust. We love you and have confidence in you. I know that if we will search the scriptures and live so that we are worthy to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost, the Lord will magnify us in our callings and responsibilities so that we may accomplish our errand from the Lord.”
In the news:
Elder Richard G. Hinckley: Remembering an influential teacher who 'believed in me' - 30-JUN-2016
The Teacher Council Difference - Sandra Cattell - JUL-2016 Ensign
https://www.lds.org/ensign/2016/07/the-teacher-council-difference?lang=eng
Understanding the Youth You Teach - JUL-2016 Ensign
https://www.lds.org/ensign/2016/07/understanding-the-youth-you-teach?lang=eng
“Behold Your Little Ones”: Learning to Teach Children - JUL-2016 Ensign
https://www.lds.org/ensign/2016/07/behold-your-little-ones-learning-to-teach-children?lang=eng
Come, Follow Me: Teaching the Basics at Home - Alicia Stanton and Natalie Campbell - JUN-2016 Ensign
https://www.lds.org/ensign/2016/06/come-follow-me-teaching-the-basics-at-home?lang=eng
Transforming Gospel Learning and Teaching - MAY-2016 Ensign