Developing New, Better, and More Loves
The New York Times columnist and author, David Brooks, has stated, “A key job of a school is to give students new things to love.” Although an essential part of education is to develop skills and traits that will lead to a successful career, this is by no means the only purpose of college. Using a cross-disciplinary approach backed by research from humanistic psychology, philosophy, and literature, this webinar explores the importance of reframing education as something beyond career development, and targeting the higher experience in all of us. Applicable to any subject area, this webinar builds on the idea that we learn best from those people with whom we develop a meaningful rapport and trust. Finally, activities and discussions have been curated to help foster a positive, affirmational pedagogy that rekindles the deeper purpose of education, which is to maximize one’s potential. .
Learning Outcomes:
- Participants can explain the assumptions and methods of cross-disciplinary, humanistic approaches to individual/subjective experience in terms of learning and teaching.
- Participants can analyze and implement self-actualization and learned optimism as both concepts and behavioral practices, attitudes, and habits.
- Participants can assess human potential and agency to find meaning and purpose, and develop ways to coach and mentor others in maximizing their potential.
Dr. Aaron Lawler is an assistant professor of humanities at Waubonsee Community College, and has had nearly 20 years of experience as an educator. He earned his doctorate from Concordia University, two master’s degrees from North Central College and Concordia University, respectively, and a bachelor’s degree from North Central College. He serves on two elected boards: The Kaneland District 302 School Board, and the WTTW Channel 11 Community Board. He is a researcher at Chicago’s Field Museum, and a lifelong member of the National Geographic Society. He has published two peer-reviewed articles, a young adult novel, and is a classically trained painter. He was recently named Faculty of the Year at Waubonsee Community College, earned the Dale P. Parnell Faculty Distinction Recognition Award and the NISOD Excellence Award, and was nominated for Outstanding Full-Time Faculty Member by the Illinois Community College
Please Note:
Only those attending the LIVE webinar will receive a certificate of attendance. Thank you!