It’s Not What You Teach, It’s What Kind of Teacher You Are | Gregory Chahrozian | TEDxAUA

Summary

In the TEDx talk, Gregory Chahrozian opens up about his teaching philosophy, emphasizing that teaching is less about the curriculum and more about the kind of teacher you are. Over his years of teaching, Chahrozian learned that perceptions matter significantly, and students are more influenced by what teachers model rather than what is explicitly taught. He shares personal anecdotes about the impact of exemplary teachers in his life and stresses the teacher's role as a secondary parental figure. This bond between teachers and students fosters positive growth, helping students develop not just academically but as individuals with strong values.

Highlights

• Gregory faced initial fears teaching but soon realized that student perceptions mattered more than the curriculum 👀
• He was advised to always carry a paper, symbolizing the importance of perceived busyness 📄
• Teachers naturally model behaviors not found in textbooks—attributes like kindness, acceptance, and fairness 🌈
• An inspiring art teacher taught Gregory to never judge a book by its cover through unexpected prowess ⚽
• A couple of married teachers challenged gender norms in education by altering traditional roles together 👩‍🔬
• Occupying the role of a 'second parent,' teachers have a lasting impact comparable to family influences 🏫
• Nurturing teacher-student relationships leads to societal benefits, such as trustworthy and engaged citizens 🌍
• Chahrozian encourages students to appreciate their teachers beyond grades, seeing them as opportunities for learning beyond the syllabus 📚

Key Takeaways

• It's not just what you teach, but the kind of teacher you are that makes the difference 🌟
• Teachers are seen as secondary parental figures, shaping student lives beyond academics 👨‍🏫
• Perception plays a crucial role—students absorb more from your actions than words 🔍
• Students learn from both the positive and negative traits of their teachers, integrating or discarding them accordingly ⚖️
• Investing in teacher-student bonds benefits society by creating well-rounded individuals 🤝

Overview

Gregory Chahrozian's TEDx talk is a heartfelt exploration into what truly makes a great teacher. Through his experiences, he contends that the impact of teachers extends far beyond textbooks and techniques. Students primarily observe how teachers behave, their kindness, patience, and other qualities that aren't part of any official curriculum but are significantly influential. It's the perception students form about you that lingers and can inspire far-reaching effects.

Taking cues from his mentors early in his career, Gregory learned that teaching is an art of perception and presence, often more than actual instruction. This insightful take is illustrated through colorful anecdotes of his own school teachers, who transformed his life in uncountable ways. Stories like his art teacher playing soccer brilliantly or a teacher couple reshaping gender roles exemplify that teaching often happens more through lived experiences and subtle modeling than direct teaching.

Beyond academics, the relationship between students and teachers forms a bond akin to family ties. This bond, richly infused with trust and respect, aids in shaping the students into individuals who contribute positively to society. Gregory muses on this process, inviting future educators and students alike to commit to appreciating and nurturing this precious relationship, for it's one that can change the world, one student at a time.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction to the Importance of Teachers The chapter discusses how teachers have a significant impact beyond merely teaching academic subjects. It proposes that the most crucial lessons imparted by teachers might not be part of the traditional curriculum. The author reflects on their personal experience, beginning with the intimidating challenge of their first day of teaching, which is a universally nerve-wracking moment for teachers. The narrative starts with the author's memory of walking through a long courtyard, symbolizing the daunting task ahead.
• 00:30 - 01:00: First Day of Teaching and Perceptions The chapter explores the first day of teaching from the perspective of a teacher, confronted with students who have already formed opinions and perceptions based on appearances and rumors. The teacher faces a classroom full of students, all eyes on him, creating an immediate challenge as they have preconceptions about his personality and capabilities, such as his style, strictness, and even supposed professional football background, all before he even begins his first class.
• 01:00 - 02:00: Advice from a Mentor The chapter explores a piece of advice given to Greg by his first mentor, an older gentleman who was about to retire. The mentor advised Greg to always carry a piece of paper when walking around the school, a suggestion that initially confused Greg. The mentor then sat Greg down to explain the reasoning behind this unusual advice.
• 02:00 - 03:00: Reflections on Teachers' Influence The chapter titled 'Reflections on Teachers' Influence' explores the theme of perception, particularly in the context of education and teachers' influence on students. The central idea is articulated through a metaphor of a piece of paper symbolizing the busy and important work that is often perceived rather than substantive. This leads to a deeper reflection on the memories of teachers and how their actions and perceived roles have impacted students' lives and thinking. The narrative invites readers to consider how perceptive they were regarding their own teachers and what lasting impressions were left.
• 03:00 - 05:00: Personal Stories of Influential Teachers Influential teachers leave an impact beyond the curriculum they teach. It's the intangible qualities like zest for life, humor, kindness, tolerance, acceptance, and fairness that students remember. These traits aren't formally taught in educational training, yet they define a true teacher.
• 05:00 - 06:30: Family and Teacher Roles The chapter discusses the influence of role models, particularly teachers, on an individual's acquisition of values and skills. The speaker reflects on their personal experience with both amazing and horrible teachers, emphasizing that these role models, rather than formal educational systems or experts, were instrumental in their learning and personal development.
• 06:30 - 08:30: Teacher-Student Bonds The chapter explores the memorable bonds between teachers and students, focusing on the profound impact teachers can have on the lives of their students. The narrator recalls vividly the appearance, mannerisms, and the inspirational influence of their teachers, specifically mentioning an art teacher who, despite his unkempt appearance and nervous habits, left a lasting impression.
• 08:30 - 10:00: Influence of Teachers on Society This chapter, titled 'Influence of Teachers on Society', highlights the unexpected talents of a secondary school teacher who, while being an incredibly skilled artist, also impressed students with his skills on the football field. The narrator reflects on how the teacher's artistry in the classroom was accompanied by surprising athleticism during a teacher versus student football game, illustrating the multifaceted impact teachers can have on their students' lives.
• 10:00 - 10:30: Final Thoughts and Call to Action The chapter 'Final Thoughts and Call to Action' revolves around the impactful experiences and lessons learned from various teachers. The speaker reflects on an art teacher who emphasized the importance of humility and compassion, advising never to judge a book by its cover. The narrative also highlights the influence of English and science teachers who were a married couple, admired for their strengths and contrasting personalities. The wife, an English teacher, is described as strong, intelligent, and passionate about language, while her husband, the science teacher, is portrayed as relaxed. These anecdotes are likely meant to underscore the diverse and lasting impacts educators can have on their students' lives.

It’s Not What You Teach, It’s What Kind of Teacher You Are | Gregory Chahrozian | TEDxAUA Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 foreign what if teachers realize that the most important thing they teach they don't actually teach I started teaching around about 20 years ago and for me it was very scary on that very first day you ask any teacher it could be the scariest day of their life I had to walk through this long Courtyard
• 00:30 - 01:00 with hundreds of googly eyes just staring at me that's the new sign you signature no it's not I like his tie he looks strict I heard he plays football professionally before I even met them before I even opened my mouth they had formed a perception of who I was or who I might be
• 01:00 - 01:30 this was taught to me by my very first mentor an older gentleman ironically about to retire he pulled me aside one day and he said Greg never walk around the school without a piece of paper in your hand I was confused and thought what on Earth is this guy talking about so he pulled me aside and sat me down and said
• 01:30 - 02:00 that the piece of paper is to give the perception that you're busy you're doing something important and you're always up to something perception my dear Gregory it's all about permission so how perceptive were you when you think back I want you to think about your teachers what do you remember about them
• 02:00 - 02:30 the good the bad or even your current teachers when they stand before you what is it that you absorb and observe is it the zest for life their sense of humor or is it their kindness their tolerance acceptance and fairness you see none of the above is explicitly taught when you're obtaining an educational degree
• 02:30 - 03:00 they definitely weren't taught to me so where did I get them from German you know educational hierarchy or experts or the curriculum no they were modeled to me by my role models my teachers I had some amazing teachers and I've had some horrible ones too
• 03:00 - 03:30 but I could see them all there in front of me every single one of them the way they looked the way they spoke even the way they walked but most importantly I remember how they made me feel and how they inspired me for example my art teacher was a petite scruffy nail-biting mumbling man
• 03:30 - 04:00 but he was an amazing artist far too talented to be teaching at a secondary school I used to remember running to his classes just to see what magic he would conjure up that day I loved art but I probably love football more so it was a surprise to me to see him on the football field during the teacher versus student game he was fast he was skillful
• 04:00 - 04:30 and I think he too played professionally when he was younger you see my art teacher reinforced to never judge a book by its cover to be humble and to be caring my English and science teachers were actually a married couple I adored them she was a strong intelligent elegant lover of linguist he was relaxed
• 04:30 - 05:00 fun well groomed scientist when it came time for them to start a family they disappeared for a while on maternity and paternity leave respectively but only one of them came back she came back he stayed at home to look after their child now this was 30 years ago at an all-boy School that singular event
• 05:00 - 05:30 taught me that gender roles shouldn't be locked or defined talking about families we know how important families are to establishing the foundations to who we become our parents are able to create an identity for us as we grow now this could only be
• 05:30 - 06:00 I guess challenged or there's only one entity or person that could come close to your family or to your parents that's your teacher a teacher spends a considerable amount of time with their students on average over nineteen thousand hours in a lifetime now that's plenty of time for a teacher to layer their students with their personalities
• 06:00 - 06:30 likewise that's plenty of time for the student to layer their own personalities with the positive things they see in their teachers to accept those that are favorable and hopefully to reject those less favorable in the educational world teachers act as parents
• 06:30 - 07:00 it's known as in loco parentis teachers are given the responsibility to act in the best interests of their students and to treat them like their own I know I treat my students like my own always have and always will so the important thing about the relationship that is formed between a student and a teacher
• 07:00 - 07:30 is an extremely amazing Bond we think about how important these bonds are I remember a parent-teacher interview I feel sorry for that child his father was very angry that day he wasn't doing well academically and he wasn't doing well behaviorally in class he turned around to his son and said when you're at home I'm your father
• 07:30 - 08:00 but when you're at school Mr scherzing's your father I've never forgotten that day at all we have a similar saying here in Armenia when translated it's your teacher is your second parent going back to the bonds that are formed between a teacher and a student they are special they are amazing
• 08:00 - 08:30 and it's something that only a teacher will ever feel these bonds are created because there's a lot of patience a lot of trust a lot of kindness and care and a lot of respect they should not be taken for granted and both parties need to put into this relationship both teacher and student
• 08:30 - 09:00 now when these bonds are nourished and supported Society benefits also you see great teachers create great learners and great Learners hopefully become great citizens no pressure teachers William surreyon in our an Armenian American novelist once said kids are always the only future the human race has
• 09:00 - 09:30 I've always believed wholeheartedly in that statement and I'm sure a lot of other Educators do too so those who are in education or those wanting to be educators let us strive to have an impact and mold the future for the better one student at a time that's why I got into teaching to have an influence and touch so many
• 09:30 - 10:00 people's lives and to make a difference in this world if you are a student I want you to look beyond your exams and your grades take the time to appreciate the teachers in front of you absorb as much as you can from them because there is so much there that you could learn someone once told me that perception
• 10:00 - 10:30 is a powerful tool students will learn more from you without even opening a book thank you