When we picture great teachers, many of us imagine experts with decades of experience. But what if some of the most impactful educators are those who just learned the ropes themselves? In a recent episode of Open Channels FM, guest Nyasha Green and host Carl Alexander dove deep into this idea and what they shared might change the way you see your own ability to teach.
From Learning to Leading
Nyasha Green is proof that you don’t need to be a grizzled veteran to offer valuable lessons. After learning new concepts and technologies, she found herself teaching beginner-friendly WordPress courses at LinkedIn Learning. Her approach? Embrace what it’s like to be new, because that’s exactly what her students are experiencing.
“I think when you just learn something, it’s almost the best time to teach it because you’ve still got that beginner’s empathy in you,” Carl pointed out.
This “beginner’s empathy” isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a crucial ingredient for relatable instruction. When you’ve recently struggled through installation snags or confusing terminology, you’ll remember to slow down and break things up for your audience. Nyasha credits her success and popularity to taking things “slow and easy,” focusing on the parts that once stumped her—and arguably, her students too.
Thanks to our sponsor
If you build stores for clients, WooCommerce gives you the flexibility to create exactly what merchants need. Customize workflows, extend with thousands of integrations, and scale without switching platforms. Check it out at WooCommerce.com.
The Confidence Gap (and How to Cross It)
Many new teachers suffer from imposter syndrome and feeling unworthy because they’re “not an expert yet.” Nyasha herself almost turned down the LinkedIn Learning offer because she didn’t feel qualified. But as she (and Carl) explained, it’s often your fresh experience that makes you relate so well to those just starting out. The key is empathy: remembering what tripped you up, and being patient with others who are on the same path.
Meeting Students Where They Are
Another lesson from the episode? Know your audience. Some long-time users wanted tougher challenges in Nyasha’s WordPress courses, but she stood firm: not everyone needs to be pushed into the deep end immediately. As she says, “I like to meet people where they’re already at, and then go with the flow. That’s how I learn, and that’s how I teach.”
Final Thoughts: Your Struggles Can Be Someone’s Instruction Manual
If you’ve hesitated to teach, mentor, or share what you’ve just learned, remember: your fresh perspective is a strength, not a weakness. Thanks to educators like Nyasha Green, more and more learners are getting the help they need from someone who truly understands their struggle and because they just lived it.
So next time you learn something new, don’t wait ten years to pass it on. Start helping others right away. You may be exactly the instructor someone needs.
Inspired by episode in DevPulse: Expanding the Stach w/ Nyasha Green & Carl Alexander.
Want to hear more insights on teaching, self-doubt, and tech journeys? Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform.
Leave a Reply