A choice
Because schools tend to operate with routines, necessary to keep order, teachers have them in their classrooms. But when they pay attention to outliers––or we, as readers of this Substack––we open to possibilities, to alternatives. Routines make our lives possible but at the same time when they dominate can dampen life’s potential.
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As parents, you observe what works with your children and what does not in ways you think is best. Hopefully, the family cooperates. But when necessary, you shift your approach as the boss did with Gilbert.
When we make decisions affecting others, we can’t accommodate everyone all the time. But we want each person to feel verified, welcome, and willing to cooperate. Could we offer anything less? What would we do for those who resist?
“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forward.” (Kierkegaard)
I write to bring ideas and methods from my life as a teacher in the latter half of the 20th century to help teachers and the public to “live forward” in this century. My latest book, Teacher in the Rye: Doing It My Way is available on Amazon. And I welcome comments here on my Substack or by email at frankthoms3@gmail.com.
