Teach Me How To Think by Ashley

Teach Me How To Think by Ashley - January 2015 Scholarship Essay

The most incredible teachers I have ever had, didn't care about the letter in the grade book or the length of a paper. Why do we assess knowledge this way? Because it is consistent and practical and gives students a tangible goal to strive toward. My advice to teachers is to challenge their students to focus more on the process of “how” you create a great paper or study for an exam. Pay attention to the way students are digesting what you teach them and help them do so more effectively. The beauty of education is found in this gray area, because the process of learning cannot be captured in a single assignment or exam.

Teachers that take the time to help students foster their ability to think critically about a subject or topic are my heroes, because even though I may not remember everything from that English literature class, I can take with me the skills I gained from it on how to critique, edit and produce a great piece of work. I can find all the facts and information about a topic on a number of websites, but a teacher can help me develop an academic lens to view it from. It's about creating individuals that have the ability to approach any subject with the critical thinking it takes to form a developed conclusion. That's how you create powerful members of society and make the world a better place.