For the purposes of this discussion, when I say “ego”, I mean to use it in the modern sense, to describe the part of ourselves that creates self-worth shallowly, that has a narrow self-definition, that focuses primarily on its own desires and fears. The ego is that part that hungrily grabs compliments and that [...]
In her philosophy of teaching, Martha Reineke sketches Four Images of Teaching, two of which gave me cause to reflect on the many ways a teacher can bring the material to the student. Reineke writes:
When students in Religions of the World tell me that they are puzzled about my own religious beliefs because I [...]
How long do you have?
How you teach and what you are able to cover is best manifested when you take into account the timeframe that the situation allows. While never certain, when you begin with a student you have an understanding about the timeframe. Given what you know, what is the best approach [...]
If you are called to teach
Then teach
But seek affection
elsewhere
It is good to be appreciated for your teaching. But even appreciation, as mild a word as it is, is not what to seek from your students if you want to be an excellent teacher.
When you examine your student, it should be to find the best [...]
Say less
When I was a young martial arts teacher, I watched my own teacher work with novices, give them one or two pointers, tell them they were doing fine, and walk away, leaving them to continue in movements that I could clearly see were filled with errors. Did I really see better than he [...]
Some time ago my teacher told me that I had just asked a very good question. Then he said that the answer didn’t matter, that the question was the important part.
But — the answer mattered to me. More so now that I had been told it was a good question. Didn’t a [...]
Impatience
is passion
waiting
As I waited in the car for the light to turn, I watched a young man hit the “walk” signal button again and again. I am sure he knew that pressing the button over and over would be no more effective than pressing it just once, and yet he kept slamming his hand [...]
“I’m sorry”
is deep with meaning
Find out what
Teach to this
I observed a student apologize repeatedly to her teacher for not yet understanding. At last the teacher stopped and asked her if he ought to be dissapointed that she had not yet learned everything he had to teach. For this student, in this moment, this [...]
There are many ways to understand the world
including the one that says
there is only one way to understand the world
Most academics believe that every idea is worthy of disciplined consideration to see if it is valid. Some teachers further believe it is essential to present multiple and varying views in a course of study.
In [...]
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