What should we teach
“Juanita, forget all the books and manuals for one minute. Go back to what used to make science magic for you. Remember what it felt like to do science. Then, assume this will be your kids only science class, their only science class––ever!
“What will you choose to teach to them so they will love science? Think about that for a minute. And, this may be the tough part, assume the next class will be the last science class you will ever teach. What would you teach?”
I understand what he had to say. While I’m still not sure how to do what I have to do, I know that I have to change the way I think about what I teach.
Juanita’s Diary
Like Juanita, who struggles delivering what her department expects, we may struggle with what we are expected to do, about requirements in our work that make little sense. We may feel pressure to have to do what others expect, even when we don’t agree and don’t know why. And we may feel trapped into a survival paradigm.
How can we break out of this cycle in our lives? What will allow us to step aside from routines and see possibilities rather than entrapments? What lets us become open to potentials, to find the roses above the thorns, to see the maple surrounded by birches?
Perhaps a struggle forces any one of us to step back and take stock of where we are. We could, as Juanita did, seek the advice of a respected colleague or friend. It may help us let go and consider how we can “change the way” we think about what we do.
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Juanita’s struggle is not unique, being overwhelmed with the ‘have-to-do’s.’ Whether you teach or not, have you been in the same bind? You might consider sharing your concerns with a trusted colleague, friend, or family member. You may discover you are not alone.
Perhaps you in your life were, as Bruce was for Juanita, one who consoled another and offered ‘ways out’ of her despair. Wise teachers have this mantra: bring your teaching to your students and your students to your teaching. We could adopt the same. Something to think about.
“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.
