It takes work to engage in Hokey Pokey teaching, that is, to be of the
classroom
rather than just in it, to be a part of it rather than apart from it, to lose
yourself in
the service of each student. There's no cruise control "I can teach in my
sleep" in
teaching with passion. It takes practice, practice, practice. Like Jack
Kornfield, I
don't use the term "practice" to solely mean rehearsal. I don't mean
"practice" in the
sense of going over something again and again. I'm not talking about
repetitive rehearsal
to get better and better at some performance or in some competition. I am
talking about
practicing an attitude, a feeling, a belief, a faith--and a love.
For one thing, I am talking about learning to believe that each student
is worth
the effort. If you don't feel and think "capable" for each student, none of
your work
will work. The best salespeople, the best musicians, the best designers,
writers, actors,
coaches, doctors, ministers, teachers and engineers are the ones who practice
how to think
and act "capable" most diligently. To get that way doesn't come with the wave
of a wand,
or pulling a rabbit out from a hat, or a wishing upon a star.
I am talking about learning to understand to be adventurous, for going
into a
classroom is like sailing into the unknown each day. The "status quo" is an
illusion;
change is the fundamental natural law; "It worked" means nothing. You've got
to approach
each student in each class on each day like you've never done anything before
because you
haven't. No amount of pretending will alter that reality.
I mean learning to accept the real diversity in each classroom. I mean
learning
to appreciate the uniqueness and sacredness of each and every person in each
classroom.
I mean learning to understand that if you see the good in each student,
you will
radiate a caring energy which inspires the students around you. Then, you will
generate a
steady current of love and will only be able to strive to do good.
So, I mean learning to have a sharp sense of otherness, to be focused
on, to be
mindful of, to be alert to, to be fully aware of, to be awake to, to get to
know, and to
be empathetic of each individual student.
I am talking about a willingness to take risks and not be afraid of
failure. I am
talking about accepting your imperfection. Those who don't, those who are
afraid of
making mistakes, who are not the friends of serendipity, are the ones who most
try to
protect themselves with tight controls and are most critical of the imperfect
students.
The more you accept your own fallibility, the more you develop the capacity to
learn from
mistakes, the less you feel defeated and deflated by setbacks, the more gentle
and quiet
and understanding you become toward the shortcomings of students.
I am talking about learning not to trip over pebbles while you gaze up
at the
mountain summit. Learn to be patient and take things in what seems to be small
steps. It
say "seems" because any small step on a great journey is not small. The little
things
aren't little. If you have to sweat the big stuff, be sweatier when it comes
to the
little stuff. The small steps are easy to take. Unfortunately, they are just
as easy to
ignore. I am talking about learning that that small today is significant later
on.
I'm taking about, as Stephen Covey might say, just commit, work, learn,
and
docommit, work, learn, and doand commit, work, learn, and do again and again
and
again--and then, again.
That's what it's all about.
Make it a good day.
--Louis--
Louis Schmier
http://therandomthoughts.edublogs.org/
Department of
History http://www.newforums.com/Auth_L_Schmier.asp
Valdosta State University www. halcyon.com/arborhts/louis.html
Valdosta, Georgia 31698 /\ /\ /\ /\
(229-333-5947) /^\\/ \/ \ /\/\__/\ \/\
/ \/ \_ \/ / \/
/\/
\ /\
//\/\/ /\
\__/__/_/\_\ \_/__\
/\"If you want to climb
mountains,\ /\
_ / \ don't practice on mole
hills" -
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