Think back to the greatest learning experiences you have had in your life and one of the common denominators will probably be that you knew the teacher(s) loved you. Developing love for your students should be one of the highest priorities of a teacher. Ask for the Lord’s help in loving your students. Pray for your students and find ways to help them, since we tend to love those we serve. Tell them you love them when bearing your testimony in class, but also think to yourself the words “I love you” whenever you see or talk to them. Reach out in various ways outside of class time.
For additional insights on loving those we teach, view the 2 minute video excerpt by Deiter F. Uchtdorf:
Love Those You Teach - Principles and Methods of Teaching
“If you want to influence learners for good, you should not only love to teach; you should love each person you teach. As you show your love for those you teach, they become more open to learning from you and more aware of their eternal worth.
Seek to understand those you teach. As you do, you will be better able to teach lessons that meet individual needs. Reach out to each individual in your class, remembering that “the worth of souls is great in the sight of God” (D&C 18:10).
Search for ways to help new members and those who have been less active feel welcome in your class. Invite them to come, and introduce them to other class members. Invite them to participate by asking them questions you know they can answer and otherwise helping them feel comfortable in class.”
In the news:
Four Things Youth Want from Their Gospel Lessons - 07-MAR-2016
“Drawing on the scriptures and the words of the prophets, [students] will learn how to act with faith in Christ to acquire spiritual knowledge and understanding of His gospel,” he said. “And they will have opportunities to learn how to apply the doctrine of Christ and gospel principles to the questions and challenges they hear and see every day among their peers and on social media.”
“As Church educators, help our youth to have a clear understanding of God’s plan of happiness wherein real joy comes to His children,” the Apostle taught. “Help them to know it, embrace it, participate in it, and defend it.”
“As Church education moves forward in the 21st century, each of you needs to consider any changes you should make in the way you prepare to teach, how you teach, and what you teach if you are to build unwavering faith in the lives of our precious youth”
“In an increasingly secular world that is hostile to faith, family, and gospel standards, religious instructors can help students by teaching them what it means to combine study and faith as they learn.”
“Teach them by modeling this skill and approach in class.”
“Knowledge by faith produces pure testimony, and a pure testimony has the power to change lives, he declared. Recognizing that some students have already been “infected by pornography and worldliness.”
“Today, what they see on their mobile devices is likely to be faith-challenging as much as faith-promoting.”
“Many of our young people are more familiar with Google than with the gospel, more attuned to the Internet than to inspiration, and more involved with Facebook than with faith.”
“More than at any time in our history, your students also need to be blessed by learning doctrinal or historical context and context by study and faith accompanied by pure testimony so they can experience a mature and lasting conversion to the gospel and a lifelong commitment to Jesus Christ.”
“Mature and lasting conversion means they will ‘stay in the boat and hold on’ throughout their entire lives.”
“Teachers must diligently learn by study and by faith so they are able to learn the skills and attitudes necessary to distinguish between reliable information and half-truths or incorrect interpretations of doctrine, history, and practices.”
“Teach them about the challenges they face when relying upon the Internet to answer questions of eternal significance,” he said. “Remind them that James did not say, ‘If any of you lack wisdom, let him Google!'”
“As you teachers pay the price to better understand our history, doctrine, and practices—better than you do now—you will be prepared to provide thoughtful, careful, and inspired answers to your students’ questions,” Elder Ballard said.
It is important to not pass along faith-promoting or unsubstantiated rumors or outdated understandings and explanations of the doctrines and practices of the past, he said. Drawing from the words of living prophets and apostles and keeping updated on current Church issues, in addition to doing the things that bring the Spirit into a person’s life, help teachers to teach clearly difficult doctrines and assist in answering questions and concerns.
“Teach our young people that in the Lord’s Church, there is room for all to worship, serve, and grow together as brothers and sisters in the gospel,”
Improve Quality of Our Teaching – Teach as the Savior Taught – Testimony Building, Not Information Sharing