This idea makes me think back to all the teachers in my past who had a positive influence on me...as well as the ones who had a negative. I am realizing now that the teachers that affected me profoundly (positively!) the most were the ones who sought to have a dialogue with me. They were willing to share their own personal thoughts with me, and still give me room for my own independent thinking. They gave me good teaching, but also were good listeners and did not shrug off my own "elementary" thoughts- but rather sought to learn from me as well.
Teachers that I had that affected me profoundly in a negative way were the one with absolutes. (and there were w few of them!). One in particular was a photography instructor in college that had "decided" what sort of photography I was to make, and that was that. Any time i strayed outside her "box" I was chastized. Thankfully, she left in my third year, and I was able to make my best work in undergrad in her absence. I don't want to be that teacher! Nothing really in the world in black and white- especially when it comes to human beings .
I agree, and I know sometimes I fail at it. It is sometimes so hard to understand what little childern are saying. For example on Friday at AA, we were in the swamp and this kid said theres a wall over there. Having been in the swamp before I was sure there was no wall, but while the kids explored they found the wall (it was indeed a fallen over tree with all the mud that made a wall). Crap I didn't listen and totally ignored the kid. I was a bad teacher.
ReplyDeleteIt's unfortunate that there are so many teachers who don't allow kids to be creative. Yes, there is a time and a place to require certain rules and regulations, but there is also a lot of room for creativity. We are so afraid of letting kids roam. I believe that is one reason kids are developmentally challenged. Let them free!
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