Those who Care, Teach!
The strength of any school lies in its mission and the quality of the teachers who get up every day and inspire learning in their students. The best teachers are also learners. In his book Dumbing Us Down, John Gatto uses the painter and the sculptor as metaphors to explain great teaching. Gatto maintains that the great teachers are sculptors rather than painters, observing that a painter begins with a blank canvas and transforms it by adding a pattern of color to create a new design. A sculptor starts with a mass of stone and transforms it by subtracting matter to reveal a shape that was always there waiting to be exposed to the world. Gatto says that the great teachers are sculptors rather than painters. We agree. We do not pour character into our students; we summon it forth with value-forming challenges and experiences.
We also ask our faculty to continue to develop their characters and develop their teaching skills. Two recent faculty activities highlighted this expectation. First, the faculty met for their regular Faculty Seminar where they to share goals, strengths, and challenges in order to connect and learn from each other. The group started with a mingle answering the following questions:
- What were you like as a child?
- What is one of your strengths?
- What is a challenge that you are currently working through?
- What is a professional and personal goal for the school year?
The group then split into small groups to share pivotal moments, experiences, or relationships that had impact on our lives. As one new faculty member said, "I felt more connected to my peers after doing this exercise."
The faculty also meets twice a week to talk about students and about teaching. Recently, veteran educator, Don MacMillan (who returned this year to teach part-time) and other veteran faculty were asked to share their "pearls of wisdom" about teaching. These included:
Silence and some discomfort are ok - Silence can be an opportunity to think and explore.
Who's carrying the burden? - Learn how to shift the ownership to the student and not take things personally.
Your relationship is not with the student, it is with their potential - Who are they going to be in 20 years? Don't get hung up on how they feel about you now.
Apologize when necessary - When we make a mistake or could have done better, let the students know it.
If you don't have the answer, how can teachers and students learn together - The student/teacher learning relationship can be a powerful tool.
Set expectations and follow through - Have the courage to hold them to their best and set the example yourself.
Allow students to teach others in the class - When students teach something, they really learn it.
Always bring a blend of support and challenge - We all need the push and the hug.
Give the student a challenge to figure out and send them on a quest - Intrinsic motivation is vital and can be developed when students get excited about the learning process.
Take care of yourself - When you care about yourself, you set an important example.
We are proud of our faculty team and are grateful they have chosen to work here with our amazing students!
Laura D. Gauld '76