Honesty Pill courses are taught by Christopher Still of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Having grown up in a musical household, Christopher originally intended to become a band director and earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the Crane School of Music (SUNY-Potsdam). For graduate school he switched his focus to orchestral performance and received his Master of Music Performance degree from the New England Conservatory in Boston.
MY TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
The most important learning experience I had as a student was the moment I realized that I was the only one responsible for my success. When I became accountable, I discovered that not only was I capable of solving my own problems, but that I actually enjoyed the process. That experience had a tremendous impact on my teaching style and how I choose to convey my ideas.
Because I ask my students to commit to becoming their own best teachers, nothing is more rewarding for me than when they uncover their own “a-ha” moments. I set my expectations high, but that’s part of the reason the breakthrough moments happen. Nothing builds self-esteem and confidence more than solving a difficult problem on your own.
When we hear the words “teacher” or “professor,” stereotypes of heavy-handed lecture style figures often come to mind. The teacher gives the information and the students receive it. While this approach can be effective, I prefer to think of myself more like a guide, acting as a dynamic link between the students and the ideas.
Effective teaching is transformative. But I can’t make a student have a learning experience that changes the way they think. They need to show up with some motivation and self-direction. What I can do, is create conditions that encourage critical thinking skills. That’s what leads to self-discovery.
