Day 18 - What Does High “Teaching Intelligence” (TQ) Look Like in Practice?

Just as close friendships are built on a foundation of personal investment, educators with high TQ invest personally in the success of their students.

Hey Fam,

Thanks for stopping by.

Now that you are here.

I want you to think back to when you realized your friend became your best friend or decided you wanted the person you were dating to be your committed partner.?

The moments we recognize someone as our best friend or decide to commit to a partner, it's a deep connection that's often hard to describe. It's a blend of respect, trust, and a sense of security. This person "gets you," supports your dreams, challenges you, and celebrates your uniqueness. Now, picture that kind of connection between a student and an educator with high teaching intelligence (TQ) in a classroom setting.

An educator with high TQ connects with students on a level that goes beyond the surface of traditional teaching.?

Students feel a genuine bond with their educator, like realizing that you've found a best friend. They recognize a shared enthusiasm for learning and an unwavering support in their educational journey. This educator goes beyond sharing information; they reveal to the students their true potential.

An educator with a high TQ creates a brave space for exploration, where questions are applauded and mistakes are seen as growth opportunities.?

This student-educator relationship is built on mutual respect and a commitment to the student's personal and professional development. Just as you commit your time and energy to a best friend or partner because they bring out the best in you, students commit to learning because a high-TQ educator inspires them to become better versions of themselves.

When exposed to an educator with high TQ, students engage with the subject matter on a deeper level.?

Developing "teaching intelligence" (TQ) involves a conscious, consistent effort to understand and respond to their students' unique needs and learning styles. It is nurtured through reflective practice, seeking feedback, and adapting teaching strategies to create more effective and engaging learning experiences.

There are many ways to develop TQ, but here are some that may be helpful.?

1: Promote a culture of personal investment.

Just as close friendships are built on a foundation of personal investment, educators with high TQ invest personally in the success of their students.

In practice, this means:

• Learn their stories:?Start the semester by learning about your students' backgrounds, interests, and aspirations. Use this information to connect classroom material to their experiences, making the content more relevant and engaging.
• Be present:?Offer your full attention in conversations both inside and outside the classroom. This presence shows students they are valued and encourages them to invest fully in learning.
• Provide personalized feedback:?Tailor your feedback to each student's work, highlighting areas for improvement and their strengths and unique skill sets.

2: Cultivate mutual respect and trust.

A meaningful connection with someone special is grounded in mutual respect and trust.

Here's how to build that in the classroom:

• Establish a respectful environment:?Set clear expectations for respectful discourse, valuing every question and perspective. This approach promotes a brave and inclusive space for learning.
• Trust their potential:?Show students you believe in their ability to succeed by challenging them with assignments that stretch their abilities. This will demonstrate your trust in their potential to grow.
• Be consistent:?Apply rules and evaluate performance consistently so students know what to expect and trust you to be fair. This consistency builds trust over time.

3: Embrace and inspire curiosity.

Remember how a close friend can make you curious about new perspectives?

High TQ educators do the same with their course content:

• Connect lessons to life:?Relate your subject to current events, students' future careers, or cross-disciplinary themes. This contextualization helps students see the value of what they're learning.
• Encourage creative thinking:?Design lessons that are informative and provocative. Get students to ask their own questions and conventional wisdom as often as possible.
• ?Reward curiosity:?When a student shows interest in a topic, encourage it. Provide resources, suggest projects, and give them opportunities to dive deeper.

Embracing this energy reinforces that their curiosity is valued and worth pursuing.

In the classroom, just as in life's most cherished relationships, the richest learning comes from connections that are deeply personal, respectful, and rooted in genuine curiosity.?

An educator with high TQ embodies these qualities, creating a learning environment that mirrors the trust and engagement found in our most valued bonds. Educators can transform their classrooms into spaces of incredible growth and discovery by investing personally in students' lives, nurturing a culture of mutual respect, and continuously fueling the fires of curiosity. The commitment to this approach is a commitment to not just educate but to inspire and empower.?

Every day, I challenge myself, and now I am challenging you to strive to be the educator who teaches, connects, elevates, and, most importantly, transforms.

Thank you for your time today. I appreciate you.?

Much Love.

Dr. Jae