In today’s world, teaching is not only about outlining the facts and figures. With modern technology, people can find answers to practically any question at the click of a button. Instead, teaching deals with presenting the information in ways that ignite students’ curiosity and prompts them to take their studies a step further. Great teaching means bestowing students the gift of inspiration and the tools so they may forge their own path. Here at Northeastern, we have professors who do just that.
Professor Jonathan Carr teaches a variety of theatre and acting classes in the College of Arts, Media, and Design. Before coming to Northeastern, he completed his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Dance from Amherst College and his Masters of Fine Arts in Directing at Columbia University. He worked as an academic and professional director in Boston, New York, New Hampshire, and Philadelphia. Carr enjoys adding humor to his works yet does not shy away from ominous undertones and elements of mystery. His students know him as being a lighthearted, kind teacher who shows genuine interest in the lives of those he teaches.
One of his theatre students, a first-year theatre major Grace Campbell, highlights the positive atmosphere Carr creates, saying, ”I always look forward to coming to Professor Carr’s class. His passion for theatre shows in his lectures. I enjoy hearing stories about his work as a director. He is one of the most friendly and approachable people I’ve ever met, and he’s always cracking jokes to make class more fun.”
“I find students work best in a safe place where they know they are respected and crucially where they can make fools of themselves along with other fools,” said Carr. “So I make sure we all comfortably reveal our weaknesses as soon as possible. When we are all humbled before the great task together, we can get to work. We become a company, and great friendships bloom in the most unexpected ways, especially in my acting classes. It’s great fun to watch these strangers become close through the crucible of our work together.”
Carr serves as a powerful influence and mentor to many of his students, and his classes leave a lasting impression on their theatre experience at Northeastern.
Robert Steere, Professor of Business, has been recognized for his engaging classroom, compelling energy, and professionalism. Before coming to Northeastern, he worked in a variety of fields from political campaigning to business consulting to stand-up comedy. His rigorous courses elicit the highest standard of work from his students and drive them to improve their analyzation and organization abilities.
First-year business major Emily Kahn shares her experience in Steere’s Introduction to Business class, saying, “It was both the toughest and most rewarding class I’ve taken. Professor Steere made us adjust our business plan over and over, even having us make three separate presentations. The final product, however, was better than I could have imagined. He inspired me to keep going, keep improving my work, and taught me that failure is a necessary stepping stone to success. In the end, he heightened my confidence in our project and enhanced my presentation skills.”
Steere is meticulous in his quest to bring the best out of each of his students, and he strives to create leaders prepared to take on the world of business. His favorite class to teach is Organizational Behavior because he is continually fascinated to see how businesses work and how the principles of Northeastern match with the experience in leadership classes. He endeavors to help students establish their own ethics and values, and be accountable for who they are as people.
Many people say they are worried about the fate of the world,” said Steere. “After being with the students at Northeastern, I am not worried. I think it will be in good hands.”
Our modern society has become increasingly focused on measuring talent and expertise. To reach the high levels of capability that so many today accomplish, one must have an inspirational instructor encouraging them. Having the opportunity to learn from motivational educators breeds creativity and innovation while pushing students outside of their comfort zones so they may achieve more than formerly thought possible. As poet William Yeats once wrote, “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” Above, we have examples of professors who have already lit a fire and are now working to spread the flame.