兔子先生系列麻豆

Dr. Kimberlee Mendoza, Dean of the School of Languages and Literature at Wayland, recently published her book Teaching Squirrels: How to Reach Generation Z and Create Lasting Engagement. In this age of technology, stimulation is readily available at the fingertips of every student, so creating that lasting engagement in a classroom can seem near impossible.

In her book, Dr. Mendoza outlines the generational differences noted throughout the decades in previous research and from her own observations in many classrooms today. She then uses this research to encourage educators to reevaluate their teaching methods for this new generation and those to follow. Generation Z is the first entire generation to have grown up entirely with modern technology. None of this generation was born before cellphones were a thing that every person has. This has impacted how Post-Millennials absorb information.

“It’s almost like it happened overnight,” Mendoza said. “Gen Z are almost all kinesthetic learners; they need to be doing something to stay engaged. When you think about the old lecturing styles, they are zoned out after 8 seconds.”

Lecture only in the classroom just does not cut it anymore. Students are too well equipped to easily find a distraction. More often than not, as Mendoza notes in her book, students will be scrolling through social media, listening to music, texting, and partially listening to a lecture. But how does one engage these multi-tasking students?

“Passion trumps everything,” she said. “You can get away with a lecture if you are passionate about your topic.”

That does not, however, give educators license to be “talking heads” as Mendoza calls them. Just because teaching has been done the same way for centuries, that does not mean it is the most effective way of doing things for centuries to come.

Dr. Mendoza’s book discusses how to actively engage students of Gen Z in the classroom as well as tips on how employers and pastors might reach young people within their organizations. She dives deep into the Post-Millennial generation, not just looking at all the negatives that so many are used to hearing—don't get me wrong, she does look at the negatives—but she also sings praises. If you are teaching, parenting, or are a student from Gen Z, this book could help you find the right approach to communicating with other generations or to better understanding yourself.

Dr. Mendoza is a talented writer with 16 novels, 12 plays, and 2 non-fiction books already published. She has many other projects in the works, including a devotional that should be published sometime next year, and is currently working on young adult and middle-grade fiction. Teaching Squirrels can be found on Amazon or at the Wayland Student Library.

“Kimberlee has done her research and is on top of her information and is an engaging writer,” one Amazon reviewer wrote.

“This helps me appreciate how to relate to my children and grandchildren,” another reviewer said.