People often ask how I could teach teenagers. Stereotypes find teenagers to be arrogant, rude, and scary.

If I learned anything from performing stand-up comedy it’s to survive on stage, you have to disarm the audience by criticizing yourself and your absurdities.

When teaching, I’m quick to poke fun at myself. Self-deprecation is one way to win over a crowd or a classroom full of judgmental teenagers and get them to do something miraculously subtle–listen.

By taking away their ammunition, you doubly encourage the critic to support your cause.

Be well,

Jay