I used to walk into museums and look at art pieces and
think, “Man that is so simple. I could
have done that!” I used to walk around
kind of arrogant and not really appreciating the art. As I grew older my perspective changed and I
started appreciating art in a different light.
Modern pieces are not always my favorite, but I can at least wonder what
exactly the artist is trying to say. The
work that was put into the piece was tremendous even if I cannot always relate
with the feelings the person was trying to convey.
Recently, in the Louisiana Museum of Art I
walked along an artist’s creation that had a gravel ground with a stream of
water flowing through the space, which carved its own path. The people in the space were quiet and almost
reverent as everyone took in the sight.
Years ago, I would have scoffed.
Today I marveled and wondered with all kinds of questions bursting forth
and I ended up looking through the book in the gift shop to try to find the
meaning. I didn't find it, but it was a
neat experience walking through what should have been outdoors inside as an
interactive art piece. So again, my mind
goes to the place it always goes: I
could have done that. All they did was
lay rocks in a way that caused a downhill slope and let water flow down
it.
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This was an amazing piece. Louisiana Museum of Art, DK |
But recently, my internal dialogue has been turned away from the arrogance and produced this question: Why didn't you?
I think as teachers we need to ask this question when we are
conducting research or watching other teachers instruct their classes. When I was a newer teacher, I used to look on
in amazement of some teachers who took insane risks, but their classes learned
tremendous amounts. It just seemed out
of reach at the time.
There were many doubting ideas that would always nag at my
consciousness about my own insecurities.
I often felt I did not have enough time to create the creative lessons I
saw others do. I also felt that what
some of them were doing I might never be able to accomplish. There was always that question, “Why didn't I
think of that?” or “Why am I not creative enough?” or “Could I do that if I had
infinite amounts of time?”
I think that most teachers go through this phase of their career
where you see veterans look like they just know what they are doing. The new teacher does not realize that one day
they will become the calm, collected, veteran teacher. That everything
that they learn along the way will help them grow as educators. The best lesson I learned years ago was to
share with others what you have learned and use what other educators have created
that works. All of the sharing often
causes memories and ideas to be stirred up within the brain. I have a passion for creative thinking and
love when my brain goes into this mode, but I could only go there when I had
become comfortable enough with my own teaching and classroom.
The reverse is also true.
There are teachers who after some time feel like they have walked the
road and made it to the end with nothing left to see. Instead of feeling unsure when a different
teacher comes up with something new you should ask the question, “Why am I not
doing the same thing?” I suppose that
some people have different comfort zones or willingness to try different
things, but shouldn't we all be trying to expand into different ways? I have had teachers see what I have been
doing and stare in amazement before stating their wishes to be able to do what
I have done. I often offer to show
people what I have done with the technology I use, but rarely have I been given
an opportunity to teach other teachers.
It is almost like we as human beings stop ourselves from growing in
order to be able to preserve what we do know instead of trying something that
might be a disaster. I have been guilty
of this as well.
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Could I have created this art piece? Sure. Why didn't I? Louisiana Museum of Art, DK |
Why didn't you do it?
Why didn't you take the risk to make something better?
Why did you only create a worksheet instead of building your
educational equivalent of the river bed in a museum?
What was holding you back?
Your own fears? Something
else?
What is it that you need?
Just be self-aware.
Analyze your internal monologue.
It is probably trying to tell you something. And, maybe you need to change the
conversation you are having with yourself.
Stay away from the dark paths. You
all have what it takes. Just take some
time to figure out how to solve the many problems the classroom can bring you.
One thing I have learned over time is that we each control
our mood in the classroom. I used to go
to some dark and upset places when teaching didn't go my way. I often felt I wasn't good enough or maybe
the teaching path wasn't for me. I was wrong
then and have since been able to drag myself out of that thought process. You are the teacher. You create the classroom environment. What you put out into the room is what will
help the students and people within it grow.
Stay positive. Even if it is hard
sometimes. Over time you will find that
in your own way you are creating that waterfall with your students every single
day as you help their beautiful minds grow.
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