The Best Teaching Advice We’ve Heard About Teaching with Greater Love

Kamora Johnson

McKay Student Ambassador

Physical Education

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I love learning how to be a teacher in the McKay School because we learn to follow Christ’s example and love our students as He does. We’ve compiled some of our favorite advice about teaching with greater love, and we hope it inspires you! Feel free to share any advice you’ve heard in the comments below. Without further ado, here is our favorite advice:

Rachel O'Malley

One of the best pieces of advice I have heard about teaching with greater love is from Professor Freire, when I was in his TELL 450 class. We were able to do a deep dive into students' families and lives where I learned so much about what many of my future students will experience. Learning about the lived experiences of many students in America has allowed me to feel a greater love for them, and show more grace for struggling students. Professor Freire taught us that the key to teaching is getting to know your students and their families, backgrounds, and cultures. In my experience, when I spend the time to get to know someone or a student, I feel so much more love for them which also leads to greater understanding of their struggles. I want to see all my students the way Christ sees all of His children, with an unconditional love and a desire for them to be successful. This understanding can help me close the gap in their learning struggles and help each individual reach their Divine Potential and feel their immense worth. 

Mikaela Campbell

The best teaching advice I’ve heard about teaching with greater love is one that I’ve heard multiple times since my freshman year. This is teaching with high love and high expectations. I love how simple yet purposeful this line is. I carried this phrase with me into my mission and it’s one I often thought of when teaching friends the gospel. I also love this because it reminds me of how Christ taught. Jesus Christ has the greatest love for each and every single one of us. He also knows that we are each capable of so much and so he has high expectations for us. Jesus Christ always led with pure compassion and saw what each of his disciples were capable of, even when they struggled. The Savior showed love for all and wanted everyone he came in contact with to know their divine potential, even if they didn’t always love him back. As teachers we can show greater love and see our students' divine potential while also setting high expectations for them to follow classroom rules and try their best. As teachers it’s important for us to show our students that they are loved and to help them understand that they can accomplish so much and be successful, this is how we can teach with greater love. 

Sarah Wilde

The greatest advice I have heard is to view our students as children of God. He is aware of their struggles, and He is aware of ours. He loves the children! Helping a child to reach their full potential is one of the most Christlike things we can do. Children carry a special spirit with them, and if we listen, they will teach us much more than we can ever teach them.

Kamora Johnson

The best advice I’ve heard about teaching with greater love is to pray about each student individually and ask how you can best support them. As I’ve been student teaching this semester, that practice has made a real difference. At the beginning, a few of my students were very closed off, and I wasn’t sure how to reach them. But as I consistently prayed for them and sought guidance on what they needed, my perspective started to change. I became more intentional about noticing them, starting small conversations, and finding ways to connect. Over time, those small, sincere efforts began to break down walls. I saw students open up, engage more, and even begin to trust me. It reminded me that teaching isn’t just about delivering content, it’s about seeing and valuing each student as an individual. Taking the time to seek divine guidance and then acting on those impressions helped me show up with more patience, empathy, and love.

Conclusion

Teaching with greater love starts with how we see our students. As we follow Christ’s example, seek to understand each individual, and act on those impressions, we can create classrooms where students feel valued and capable. Small, intentional efforts to love and connect truly make a lasting difference.

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