Random Thoughts : The Humanity of Teaching

Louis Schmier's teaching and learning philosophy has permeated his classroom - and beyond thanks to the internet - to change the lives of students and educators alike. It is a philosophy that challenges educators to treat students as fellow human beings - to go "where students are at," acknowledge, understand, and explore the importance of their feelings, memories, and day-to-day stresses, and convince them of their own abilities and potentials.

Random Thoughts: The Humanity of Teaching is not a typical book on teaching. Louis Schmier calls attention to what he says is the "too often lacking but needed human dimension" of education, and shows that the heart of teaching is to care about each student as a unique, sacred human being. In this collection of 65 inspirational reflections, Louis opens his heart and soul to tell about the tragedies and triumphs that have shaped his philosophy of education and his approach to teaching.

Louis Schmier is currently professor of history at Valdosta State University in Georgia where he has taught for over 30 years. A displaced New Yorker, Louis received his AB from Adelphi College, his MA from St John's University (NY), and his PhD from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Louis followed a conventional academic route of writing, publishing, and teaching, until his personal/professional epiphany several years ago. He began a search for meaning and understanding in teaching. And he began to focus on the students and the their learning.

Louis is a frequent speaker at teaching conferences: Lilly Conferences on College and University Teaching, the International Society for Exploring Teaching Alternatives (ISETA), the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE), and Professional and Organizational Development Network (POD). Increasingly, he is also requested as a seminar coordinator. And he continues to post his newest Random Thoughts to various higher education discussion lists via the Internet.