Tom Steenson on the Teacher's Voice

Volume, pitch, pace, tone, inflection: the human voice is our primary teaching instrument. The spoken word has not just a logos and an ethos but an embodied and personal quality—which comes with enormous advantages.

This week, twenty-five-year Heights veteran Tom Steenson shares a valuable reflection on the human voice and how we use it in the classroom. He includes many practical examples of how to engage students, express expectations, correct without disruption, and love your students by using your voice with intention.

Chapters:

3:11 The humanity of voice

5:14 The science of volume and pitch

6:56 Your reading and teaching voice

9:04 Speech as love, not punishment

10:46 Voice for humor and engagement

13:54 All the advantages of spoken word

16:25 A unique, live meeting of minds

20:26 Control without yelling

27:05 Enjoying your students

30:17 Song and poetry in the classroom

33:04 The value of the voice in-person

Links:

Teaching the History of Our "Strange New World": The History of Western Thought Course featuring Austin Hatch and Michael Moynihan

Also on the Forum:

The Ritual of Reading in the Classroom featuring Tom Steenson

Classroom Ambience by Joseph Bissex

Classroom Tone and Culture featuring Tom Steenson

Featured Opportunities:

The Art of Teaching Boys Conference at The Heights School (May 6-8, 2026) – waitlist

Teaching Essentials Workshop at The Heights School (June 22-26, 2026)

Convivium Conference for Teaching Men at The Heights School (November 2026) – link coming soon