Most everyone can remember having a favorite teacher. Looking back, what made the teacher stand out amongst the others? An effective teacher doesn’t necessarily have better teaching material but utilizes effective teaching strategies to make the material fun, relevant, and memorable. As an educator, Na Xiao is eager to use effective teaching methods to help students get the most out of their education.

Na Xiao tries as much as possible to utilize material that is interesting and engaging. While the quickest way to deliver material in a classroom setting is through lecture, Na Xiao encourages student engagement. As of 2013, Na Xiao has several years’ experience as an assistant professor and teaches several courses. “It is always aspiring to see the class fill up. It is also fulfilling when students tell you how effective you are at delivering material and keeping them engaged,” says Na Xiao.

As a student, Na Xiao had a variety of professors. As any student knows, teachers who are drained of energy or burnt out in their careers are less engaging than others. “People do experience burnout in their careers. Educators may value education but they need to stay focused on students too, and that means maintaining positive attitudes towards students and material,” says Na Xiao.

As an assistant professor, Na Xiao’s teaching career is still relatively new. Na Xiao hasn’t spent decades re-teaching the same material. Unlike grade school teachers, professors and assistant professors can vary their material by teaching a number of courses. As an assistant professor, Na Xiao teaches only a few courses each semester and maintains a positive energy for each lesson. “Attitude makes a difference. If you teach with energy, students pick up on that energy,” says Na Xiao.

Na Xiao is a student of marketing and graduated with a Master of Business Administration in Marketing. Na Xiao loves teaching and loves marketing. Having a love for marketing reflects in Na Xiao’s success as an educator. As a student, Na Xiao was eager to learn the industry; and as an assistant professor, Na Xiao teaches marketing material just as eagerly and maintains a positive and energetic attitude in the classroom.