Teaching Inspiration
There’s a palpable moment when people first come to understand and apply the concepts that are being taught to them. The jaw-dropped-open moment is extremely rewarding to me. I enjoy many such moments with my congregation and students. I teach so that I might serve God's Kingdom and Church by helping others to obey the command to love the Lord our God with all of our minds through disciplined study.
A number of teachers have been a tremendous inspiration to me. I want to follow in the footsteps of the many teachers who have been an inspiration to me, including
- C. Jeanne Serrão (Professor of Biblical Literature, MVNU),
- W. Terrell Sanders (Professor of Religion, MVNU), and
- Bruce L. Petersen (Professor of Pastoral Ministry, MVNU).
- I remember clearly the genuine personal concern shown to me by my favorite teacher, Martha Walker,
- the innovative challenges given to me by my high school creative writing teacher, Rachel Yanac,
- the example I aspire to follow in my graduate school Hebrew professor, Paul Overland,
- and my doctoral professor, Josh Pagán.
I also remember some negative experiences that I have had as a student, warning me from becoming the kind of teacher whom I did not prefer - those who instilled fear, appeared arrogant, or were unreasonably unfair (I won't list them by name).
These examples have influenced my understanding of the best approaches to learning, and have shaped me into the teacher I am today.
Steve Baney's Teaching Philosophy