Jackalyn Rainosek: Teachers and Facilitators

The classic model of Western education is a teacher in front of a classroom full of students. The teacher imparts knowledge and learning through lectures and class discussions, and eventually tests the students on what they have learned. That model is beginning to evolve, at least a little bit. A growing view is that being an educator is less about what they do, and more about who they are. The best teachers usually bring their passion for learning and teaching into the classroom with them, and inspire class participants to want to learn about the subject at hand. These teachers open up a conversation that includes themselves, and invites the students to participate. The classroom transforms into a place where learning from each other becomes the norm.

The teacher thus becomes a facilitator of learning, and there are steps that teachers can take to promote this sort of paradigm shift. At the beginning of any classroom or training session, ask questions to find out about the people in the class: their backgrounds, level of knowledge, and expectations. Introduce new information slowly; students can be invited to choose the order in which the material is introduced and discussed. Ask the students to think about ways that the subject matter can be applied to their current lives; this can promote conversation and keep everyone engaged. Let them share their experiences so that they can learn from each other.

Jackalyn Rainosek is a veteran consultant and co-owner of DTP Learning in Houston, who describes herself as a facilitator of learning for individuals, teams, and organizations. "I teach people how to lead themselves, and then be able to lead others in organizations," she says. She holds a Ph.D. in Counseling and Educational Psychology from Texas A&M University.