Inspiration comes in many forms. For Tyler art history associate professor Gerald Silk, his desire to become a teacher was spurred by exposure to both great and bad instructors. But another part of the interest came from my experience in an art history class where I didn't have a good teacher.
Students sense that and it becomes contagious.
The fact that there is constantly new material helps you stay fresh as an instructor. Students and faculty alike praise Silk for his teaching excellence. It's essential to have a passion for the material you are dealing with. He has a reputation as an engaging lecturer whose articulate, forthright yet witty lecture style and rare talent for challenging students to think and to participate constructively in class discussions have become legendary. He taught art history at Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania before joining Tyler's staff in 1988.