Of all the work hats I get to wear -- stage director, videographer, coach, actor, writer, ice cream scooper, switchboard operator, etc. -- my teacher's hat fits best.
One learns how to become a good teacher both by working with good teachers and by lots of practice. I love to teach because I love to learn. Learning how to do, how to understand, how to master something, all flows from the enjoyment of feeling our fingers and voices and feet and brains tingle with connection and understanding. Because the enjoyment of learning new things is so vital for our continued growth and blossoming for all our days, I've always felt very fortunate to have gotten off to such a good start. From the moment of our first breath at birth, we are learning. And even more mysteriously, we are born knowing so much already. Think back, dear reader, to times you've been present at a birthing --- a baby? a litter of puppies? a foal? a clutter of kittens? a school of small fry? Isn't it wondrous how mama and the newborn know just what to do? Well, in the case of humans, help is almost always much appreciated. [Seeming non sequitur #42832: It is the beauty of seeing -- or better yet, experiencing -- a newborn's desiring and knowing how to suckle at mother's breast that is in no small part my rationale for seeing the common tongue turn "to suck" into an all-encompassing negative term as a sad devolution of the English language.] How our lives unfold during the first days, weeks and months of our existence is incredibly important for how we'll do for all the years to follow. This includes not only the quality of the nutrition we receive and the air we breathe, but the manner in which others interact with us. Yes, I know, this is obvious. But it's so very important that I want you to reflect on this truth for a moment. Sometimes we have to learn "the hard way." Most of the time, every moment we live -- especially toward the beginning of our lives -- we are learning from experience. An environment in which all learning is celebrated and supported is the very best world in which to grow up. We all are acting, albeit often unconsciously, as teachers for one another. Now and then a person gravitates to that role of Teacher, giving herself or allowing another to give her that name, that title. Being a teacher is based on a sacred trust. And being a "full-time" teacher is extremely hard work. One thing I learned when I lived in Europe is that a society that honors its teachers is also a society that expects a lot from them, and rightly so. I grew up in pre-Prop 13 California. Every teacher I had from nursery school through (public) elementary school in Palo Alto, back in the 1950s, was wonderful and memorable. I looked forward to every day of going to school. Since those days, in which I received the kind of quality education that I firmly believe is the birthright of every child on this green earth, I have grown ever more concerned that we are throwing humanity's potential out with the bathwater by our short-sightedness. I mean, after food and shelter, what is more important than a loving education? Cherish curiosity. Feed imagination. Relish questions. Doubt certainties. Sense wonder. Ah, yes. There's something beautiful, there off on the horizon. Yet let us not forget the gushy mud between our toes. Listening to music is delicious. Making music is divine!
10 Comments
Bob
2/24/2014 09:46:43 pm
Sequitur 1 to non sequitur #42832: I made a rare new year's resolution two years ago to avoid sexual pejoratives since they express sexual phobia and often homophobia.
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Budge
5/18/2014 09:47:19 am
this was the poem that made me, at age 14, fall in love with e.e.cummings. my taste has broadened in the past 50 years, but i still love this poem. thank you, bob.
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Bob
2/24/2014 09:47:32 pm
This is because I forgot to check off Notify me of new comments to this post by email
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8/17/2014 05:26:39 pm
Great post, just what i was looking for and i am looking forward to reading your other posts soon!
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8/17/2014 05:27:11 pm
All the information I found in post is very useful. Thanks a lot.
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4/16/2017 06:34:10 am
Amazing to read about your views for becoming a great teacher. It is always a great opportunity to learn. I read from many teachers about their success stories and it is good to write about it.
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2/27/2018 11:13:43 pm
I have read your blog it is very helpful for me. I want to say thanks to you. I have bookmark your site for future updates.
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