Bird Droppings May 9, 2012

Teach by doing and living

 

I have been reading, printing out articles and writing quite extensively over the past few days. Actually for at least a few days more like we are into only eight left now till summer break and serious writing time. Sadly my brain feels like mush from not sure what room I will be in, trying to get a handle on moving my collection of stuff and not sure what classes I will be teaching next semester. I came into school after stopping at my second favorite store Quick Trip and sat down at my computer really unsure of a direction when I saw a book I had found at Borders before they closed, several years ago, The Tao of Teaching, by Dr. Greta Nagel.

 

“The wise teacher learns to work in effortless ways, doing things that come without stress. At the end of a good day he or she might say something like, ‘I don’t know, everything kind of just seemed to flow.’” Dr. Greta Nagel

 

I was looking at my poor carpet in my room with all the traffic I get students wanting to see animals, teachers wanting to relax, students with questions and a gaggle of other reasons my carpet gets filthy. I was thinking back to when it was new about eight   years ago. The new carpet was put in and old removed by a crew of Hispanic workers who were doing the labor. Only a few spoke any English and they came into my room to see the animals I would pull out books with names and we spent quite a bit of time talking and learning together although I do not remember the Spanish name for snapping turtle I should have written it down.

 

“Wise teachers learn that there are joys to be found in the simple pleasures of life. Friendships, reading, music, and the enjoyment of nature can bring lifelong joy. Adventures need not be expensive or exotic places, for lavish desires may create only feelings of longing or jealousy.” Dr. Greta Nagel

 

As I looked through the pages of Dr. Nagel’s book each idea seemed to hit home with me as this is how I teach and think. When new teachers come in to the high school I try to make a point of saying hello and inviting them by my room it is sort of an oasis in the school some have called it a sanctuary. Students respect the teacher who admits a lack of information at times. I will challenge kids to look for answers somewhere often other than internet. Look in a book or encyclopedia magazine somewhere you can hold on to the information which I am starting to believe is one problem with such a technologically advanced youth. They have nothing to hold on to when they Google it.

 

“Wise teachers do not need to serve as holders/transmitters of all knowledge great and small. Providing insights, provoking thinking and students questions, and supporting ways to obtain information are the essential tasks in the Tao. It is better to know (but think that one does not know) than to not know (but think that one does).” Dr. Greta Nagel

 

It is difficult to not know everything sounds a bit strange but a teacher is all knowing supposedly and able to leap huge buildings in a single bound. As a co-teacher I have been now in three semesters in Chemistry classes, Biology classes and Ninth grade Literature classes and while I have a good working knowledge of literature due in part to extensive reading and retention, I enjoy biology and chemistry while a fun semester and great teacher is a little out of my realm too much math. My educational dirty word has always been math. Not sure where or why I stopped acquiring information that dealt with math even though I always tested well in math all through school. College math was my downfall my nemesis and after five Math 101 classes I eventually got credit that transferred or I should say I got credit since a D does not transfer.

 

“Just as an excellent warrior does not appear formidable nor does an excellent fighter become roused in anger, excellent leaders are humble. Wise teachers steer the boat using the rudder in the back; they do not need to be in the prow to influence the direction.” Dr. Greta Nagel

 

Today will be a good day even though we were doing preparation and review for End of Course testing today and tomorrow as well. I have for nearly twelve years ended my daily meanderings with the thought, please keep all in harm’s way on your mind and in your hearts and more recently borrowing from Indian thought and a prayer from a Sioux medicine man, always give thanks.

namaste

bird