Ron Maines has taught for 30 years at the University of Redlands and John Brown University. He has found that [1] teaching helps sharpen his skills and exposes him to new ideas, [2] he must make the material relevant to his students' interests and careers, and [3] his role is to exceed student expectations and help them achieve their dreams through excellent education.

1. Learning From the Front of the Classroom
In 1980, I had the opportunity to join the adjunct faculty of the University of
Redlands in Southern California, in both their undergraduate business and MBA
programs. I had earned an undergraduate degree in engineering from John Brown
University, a graduate degree in systems management from the University of
Southern California and was completing post Master’s work in executive
management, at The Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management. My
professional experience included 18 months of Naval Flight School and service in
Vietnam as a Marine Aviator. I had also flown almost 4000 hours in Indonesia as a
pilot for Mission Aviation Fellowship.
It seemed appropriate, to focus on leadership, strategic management, and
international operations as specialty areas in which to develop and contribute. I
knew it was time to become a more serious student of my profession and to find a
way to give back to it as well. Teaching offered one way that this could be
accomplished.
In June 2010, I will complete 30 years and 250 semester hours of learning from the
front of the classroom. Here are some of the things I have learned after spending
over 700 evenings with adult students on their way to accomplish their dreams:
The teacher can sharpen his or her skills and improve work performance.
 Teaching brings focus to critical thinking, improves communication skills, and
brings one into contact with growing and motivated leaders. I have had the
privilege to work with hundreds of the best and the brightest in Southern
California and Northwest Arkansas. And, I have profited greatly from the
experience.
The teacher is a learner.
 In the free exchange of ideas in the classroom, there is an opportunity to hear
new ideas and know what is developing, in real time, in the marketplace.
Change outside the classroom drives change inside the classroom if we are to
keep up with where our students work and live. It requires us to learn, improve,
and raise the bar of excellence in the classroom over time.
I had to learn how to make “My Stuff” useful and relevant to “Their Dreams”.
 We offer our content, skills, and experience in a package we call “education.”
Adult students invest their time and money to improve their skills and find
opportunities to advance in their world called “life.” It is an intentional and
needed balance of integrating ideas and theory with professional skills and best
practices.
Learning From The Front of the Classroom ©crossroadsleaders

2. There are different learning strategies and educational outcomes for the three
student groups, or markets, that we serve at JBU:
 Resident Undergraduates (Potential leaders): Young adults come from across
the country and overseas to learn and to grow. The campus location maintains
the core of excellence in educational resources and culture. Today, campus based
education has higher overhead expenses coupled with a slower rate of growth.
 Non-Resident Undergraduates (Emerging Leaders): Motivated adult learners
meet closer to their home and workplace and desire to create greater
opportunities for themselves. This provides the University with a lower cost
delivery system and higher growth in revenue and margins as it extends its
mission.
 Non-Resident Graduate Students (Experienced Leaders): These are
professionals with influence taking their skills and experience to the next level.
This is also provides a lower cost delivery system for JBU, yielding higher
margins, and has a high potential for revenue growth as it extends its brand into
the business and professional community.
Our students desire and deserve the best that we can give them.
 We have the opportunity to give of ourselves from deep wells of education,
experience and ideas gathered across our years of contact with outstanding
professors, organizations and the people who lead them.
 We have the responsibility to deliver a learning experience that exceeds the
expectations of our students in both excellence and value to them. Great teachers
have helped us along our journey of life, and we should do the same for our
students.
We are fortunate to be living and working in one of the fastest growing areas in the
country. The demand for excellent education through the JBU brand is very strong
and many opportunities are before us.
The table that appears below summarizes key differences in our approaches in
crossing the bridge from undergraduate to graduate education.
Learning From The Front of the Classroom ©crossroadsleaders

3. Crossing the Bridge to Graduate Education
Non-Resident Undergraduates Non-Resident Graduate Students
( JBU Advance Program) (JBU Professional and Graduate
Studies)
 Theory and content delivery drive  Theory and content framing drive
classes (75% of class time) classes (40% of class time)
 Limited feedback and exchange  Expanded feedback, exchange and
student led participation
 Outside readings, lecture related, to  Extensive outside readings, not always
supplement content. lecture related, to expose the student to
a wide range of thinking and ideas.
 Lecture as a focus of content delivery  Lecture as framing of ideas for
application and discussion.
 Accountability through quizzes, exams,  Accountability through student led
topical paper writing presentations, journals, book reviews,
summaries and solution paper writing.
 Increased knowledge base  Expanded base of knowledge and
greater understanding of ideas
 Skills developed through illustrations  Dramatically increased skills and best
and learning applications practices through models, case studies
and participation
 We influence character  We help to develop character, vision,
and judgment
 “What do I need to know to prepare  How will I better contribute to my
for the world out there?” work and to others in the world out
there?”
Ron Maines
Learning From The Front of the Classroom ©crossroadsleaders

4. January 2007/Revised August 2009
Learning From The Front of the Classroom ©crossroadsleaders