Okay I get it. We have to be genuine and grounded in our own identities or else our students will see through us. It wasn't always easy to get it when this Palmer bloke pulls stunts like defining integrity as "whatever wholeness I am able to find within that nexus as its vectors form an re-form the pattern of my life."
Come on fella. You gotta be kiddin me.
In all seriousness though I enjoyed this reading. I will forgive Palmer his ridiculous abstractions because it must be very hard write about something so... well... abstract. Basically he is telling us to be cool. Let me attempt to define cool in simpler terms than Palmer might. To be cool is to be confident and happy and genuine. Good teachers inspire us by their own genuine interest. They must be excited for real because people can tell if you are faking that. (even kindergartner, especially kindergartners) A great example of that for me was Laura and research. She actually truly loves that stuff, and it shows in the classroom. I use her as an example because research is not something that really gets most people going. I can see getting excited about nature or teaching being easier jobs, but methods! That takes a special sort.
I am basically facing the same challenge as I have always been facing, but now I see a new utility in its pursuit. Be cool. Be confident and happy and interested in life. It requires an extraordinary amount of effort to be so vulnerable. I will begin by admitting something embarrassing that has proven to be very meaningful to me. It is a song lyric from a very cheesy song by Harvey Danger. I really dug these guys when I was trying to be a big shot in middle school, but that line has haunted me into my adulthood.
"If your bored than your boring"
Interest is a precious little flame that we as teachers have to learn to protect and fan in our selves before we can become secure and loving enough to foster it in our students.
You can tell Laura loves her stuff - Research. She has such a knack for presenting the material.
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Happy, confident and genuine. What a trifecta!
Some of his admonishments were ridiculous. Gosh, it was tough to read. But, I think it was easier to understand. Abstract concept, for sure, hard to put into words whether spoken or written.
It's hard to be bored with a teacher who is engaging, no matter the subject. I thought charisma helped. According to Integrity and Identity. I think it would be part of one's Identity, just like being cool.
"If your bored your boring" I love that quote. I have always hated hearing boredom used as an excuse for why teenagers get into trouble. I just hope that I can convey the enthusiasm I feel, to those around me. I am glad that we have a variety of role models with different styles of conveying that enthusiasm here at Merry Lea. It is nice to observe their ability to be individuals and communicate their enthusiasm in different ways. This has helped me to remember that I need to find my own way of being cool and confident, and that I don't need to copy someone else.
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