Teaching masterfully without a master's degree
When students choose their favorite teacher, Martin van Haastrecht is always very successful. Yet without a master's degree, he was not given a permanent position at the Hogeschool Utrecht. He seized his new opportunity at the Hogeschool Rotterdam.
Picture: Fred van Diem
"Bags off the table and prostheses." Martin van Haastrecht (64) makes it indirectly clear that he wants to start his economics seminar. The first-year technical business administration students know what the intention is. Hats, hoodies and caps go off, the buzz stops. When Van Haastrecht is sure that all students are attentive, he explains what the break-even point is based on a simple example. After which the students start working on the more complicated case from their textbook.
After class, Van Haastrecht explains that during his lectures the rules of conduct that are customary in the business world apply. “I always tell students at the start of the academic year: I invite you to a meeting. I am the manager and you are the young professionals. That means: mobile phones away, laptops closed and only come in too late if you have a very good reason. And then gently find a place so that you do not disturb your fellow students. ”
Teaching is now my passion and my life
Van Haastrecht's language is laced with English management jargon. No wonder, he was 25 years old financial executive with international companies and had locations in Europe, Asia and North America. In his most recent position, he was financial director of the German branch of a consumer electronics repair company.
Six years ago he stopped his 'living out of a suitcase'. Van Haastrecht wanted to work closer to home because his partner became seriously ill. A friend asked him to give a few guest lectures and at the age of 58 Van Haastrecht started a new career as a higher vocational education teacher. Teaching is now his passion and his life.
Phone number
The students of the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences apparently feel this, because they have proclaimed Martin van Haastrecht Lecturer of the Year 2018. The student members of the participation council who organized the election thought he was the best of the 173 teachers nominated. The enthusiastic explanations of vote are telling: 'He always makes time to help you', 'he shows genuine interest' and 'he is committed to every student'.
“I give students my telephone number”, Van Haastrecht explains his satisfaction with his accessibility. "They can always call me, even in the evenings and on weekends." It is not a heavy burden for him. “When I walk into a supermarket, I say: I'll call you back. I do that when I'm in the car. What does that cost in time? "
It gives students a safe feeling that they can always reach me
Nor does it disturb his private life. “If you have worked in international business, you are used to nothing else. On Sunday afternoon it is already Monday morning in Sydney and then you can receive a call. ” Moreover, students do not often make use of the call option, he thinks. "But it does give them a sense of security that they can always reach me when they are stuck."
Martin van Haastrecht knows all his students by name, it becomes clear when he goes through during the seminar who is and who is not present. “I know their private background, you will find out automatically. Officially we have an attendance requirement, but I do not adhere to students. Whether they come to lectures is their own responsibility. But I do address students I miss in my class. Just like students who don't participate, like the two boys who were sitting in the back of the classroom this afternoon, working on their cell phones. Later I ask them why they are so unconcentrated. Whether there might be something wrong. And then there often turns out to be a story behind it. ”
Students are also allowed to know everything about their private life. Van Haastrecht proudly tells them that his daughter Patricia is participating in The Voice of Holland, but with just as much pride that his son Remco has struggled out of a cocaine and alcohol addiction. "It shows that I am an ordinary person." That helps him connect with students who are in trouble. Like the student who had no money to buy books. “I asked him how much he spends on pills and drink per month; 350 euros, he thought. I gave him a brochure from an addiction clinic and then he happily started working on his drug problem. ”
Refresher lectures
Van Haastrecht is never afraid to make extra time for students who have to work hard for it. He gives refresher lectures in his spare time for senior students who still have to pass first-year subjects. “Next Tuesday I will give a lecture like this to the thirteen part-time students who have yet to pass the exam economics. I now have four registrations, but there will probably be some more. We start at two in the afternoon and then I tell them: the college will close at ten tonight. We will only stop when everyone understands. ”
He also keeps a close eye on who still has open subjects. “I call those students and ask them how they are going to catch up. I let them make a diagram themselves, they have to take responsibility. I'm not going to pull them, but I will follow them and if they fall, I pick them up again. ” Of course it takes time, but as a teacher you also benefit from it, because you have fewer resits, says Van Haastrecht. And he gets energy from it.
It would not have made much difference if Van Haastrecht had been lost to education. At Hogeschool Utrecht, where he started in 2012, he was also a finalist in the Teacher of the Year elections.
Nevertheless, after a two-year temporary contract he was not given a permanent appointment. Because he doesn't have a master's degree. Van Haastrecht immediately started working after secondary school. "Don't grab too high, they said at our house." He has taken at least ten evening studies, but at Hogeschool Utrecht all teachers must have a master's degree. “This has to do with the image that Hogeschool Utrecht strives for: 100 percent masters for the classroom. That must radiate quality. ”
If you teach full-time, you will no longer be able to study independently
“I started a master's program at ncoi and found that study extremely interesting. Because I always studied easily, I thought I could complete that training in two years. But I used to study when I was on a plane. If you teach full-time, you will no longer be able to study independently. I misjudged that. ” Utrecht students started a petition to keep him as a teacher, but to no avail. Van Haastrecht relocated to the Hogeschool Rotterdam, where teams of teachers do not have to consist solely of academics. "Lecturers with a lot of practical experience are seen as a valuable addition."
Big teenagers
Education is ultimately about the contact between teacher and student, says the Rotterdam Teacher of the Year. "Study success stands or falls with attention, genuine attention for the student." And Van Haastrecht can give that attention to “his boys and girls” thanks to his life experience. “Teaching suits the stage of life I am in now. Twenty years ago I could not have done this. I couldn't have had the patience. ”
He is grateful to Hogeschool Rotterdam for the opportunity he got there. “I enjoy interacting with students every day. It is fantastic to guide their transition from adult to adult. ”
