Opening Convo.

For Opening Convocation this semester, Bishop Mark Hanson, presiding Bishop of the ELCA, spoke to the gathered students, faculty, and staff. The way that he presented himself got and held the attention of all who were there. He used humor matched with serious dialogue to hold his audience and to make his point. His humor was especially effective because he was able to play off of President Torgerson and the pastors, as well as things that pertained to college students. He really knew what would make an audience listen. Also, he didn't go on and on as some speakers do. HE said what he had to say and then stopped. This also keeps your audience focused on what you are saying because you are not repeating yourself or giving them useless, extra information.
The above also relates to teaching. As a teacher, you do not want to lose your students' interest or overload them with unneeded information. Bishop Hanson's message is also one that should be found in classrooms. We need to teach students to be aware of what is around them and how they can contribute to their school, city, country, and world. Isn't that what we are supposed to be teaching for anyway, so that those that we educate will go out and make this world a better place, a place where people are aware of others' beliefs and that their actions effect more than just themselves?