Teaching

So I just had a student from 2 semesters ago email me and ask for advice, a meeting, and the link to one of the readings that I had assigned to that class.

Wow. I feel SO good right now. I feel like an actual teacher. As if I moved someone in a direction that was purposeful.

So many times teaching is such an exercise in patience. There is no way that our students can take in all the information that we throw at them and yes, cram down their throats when it comes right down to it. And there are all kinds of teaching practices that are supposed to remedy this horrible disjunct between teaching and learning such as dialogue and constructivism and developmentally appropriate curriculum. And of course there is assessment and testing which is supposed to give you the feedback to show that learning has taken place.

But in reality it's sometimes just you, the student, and an impossible gap.

It's just nice when that gap gets bridged!