| Selecting a single phrase to call my own personal motto did not,
at first, appear to be an easy task. When this assignment was first
given to our class, my mind began to wander the countless pages of literature
I have read over my years as a university student. I wondered how
I would find any one quote which has had a profound impact on my life –
let alone describe that impact. I soon realized, however, that there
was no choice to be made. My subconscious mind intervened with its
usual advice, directing me not to over-complicate the task at hand.
My conscious mind followed this lead, slipping back to my training, and
years of experience as a professional journalist. I realized that
the only phrase I could claim to be my personal motto was one which I no
longer overtly thought about, one which I had internalized – “Keep It Simple,
Stupid.” |
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| The KISS rule is one which, as a journalist, guides every aspect
of my personal life. It simply means, do not over-complicate what
you are writing. Write it so that anyone, and everyone can understand
it. In other words, translate whatever subject you are investigating
into everyday language. |
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| It did not take a giant leap of logic for me to see that this rule
holds as much relevance to my future career as a teacher as it does to
my work as a reporter. I will have to take subject matter to which
I have access, find the important bits of that information, and translate
it into something that each of my students can both understand, and use.
As an educator, it will be far more useful to follow the KISS rule than
to over-burden my students with technical jargon they do not need to know
and, likely, would not be interested in. |
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| The KISS rule goes beyond describing a philosophy of communication.
For me, it also outlines a way of thinking, and living. There is
no need to add to what is already a complex life in a complex world.
As I see it, it is far better not to worry too much about all the things
over which I have no control, and to focus on both what is most important
to me, and what tasks are at hand. I believe that by keeping myself
focussed, and by taking comfort in the positive aspects of my life, I can
keep myself not only sane, but happy. |
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| As an educator, I hope to be able to keep the KISS rule in mind
when designing lessons and activities for my students. I hope to
pass an appreciation of this philosophy on to my students, to help them
learn to focus on what is important in their studies, and assignments.
And I hope this way of thinking will guide me through the many trials and
tribulations I am sure to encounter in my professional career, and personal
life. |