Teaching’s Coming Up… Again

FRI., AUG. 19, 1994, 6:40 AM TEACHING’S COMING UP… AGAIN
FARM, STUDY

Yes, o son, another year of teaching is about to be yours to do and to enjoy. By your calculations it is year #46, the 46th year in which you have had some teaching responsibilities, most of them being fulltime. You can think back to those first years, with 5 classes, starting shortly after 8 AM, then coaching that often lasted until 6 PM, and, finally, dormitory duties that took you to 10 PM or so. But you were young, full of energy, and certainly up to the challenge. You probably couldn’t do that now, but it was a good way to begin.

Even then you taught with spirit, though you were mostly unaware of this, consciously. Now I have led you to see that, from My perspective (and, increasingly, yours), teaching is fundamentally a matter of spirit. The way a class is conducted, the way you are with learners, and the way they are with one another should be the criteria for success. You are certainly aware of this, but I want to reinforce it as another academic year commences.

We are both aware that this is not the way most professors see this task. Information, organized into content, is supreme. However it is presented it is up to the learner to grasp it and be able to give it back… even apply it appropriately. The process is “good” because it is traditional. Professors are those who have succeeded in the process. Be aware that if you hadn’t been as successful as you were you wouldn’t be in the position you are now to “do it differently.” Be appreciative of that.

Yet in contrast I tell you that the process… the atmosphere… is of most importance. You are to know names as soon as possible. You are to have the class, in groups, interacting in relation to some important idea. Let them see that all do not agree, and yet there can be respect for interpretations other than your own. You are to communicate the importance of each assignment, the why as well as the what. Deal with learners gently and “spiritually,” as persons to be loved rather than vessels to be filled.

Remember, however, that some of those in your classes have been successful in the more traditional system and may not react well to your “style.” Some will “come around,” but a few will see your approach as weakness. You have to accept this when you are apart from the conventional system. Many of those who succeed in it feel comfortable with their success and are threatened by departures from it. The key to success is not in attacking the traditional system, but in focusing positively on spirit, wherever that leads you in conducting a class or in interacting with a particular learner.

Though you certainly don’t have comparable responsibilities to those you had as a beginning coach and teacher, you still have many, some of which compete. You are also past the normal age of retirement, so you have considerably more responsibilities than many of your age. This can be troublesome and should be dealt with as a spiritual matter. Set priorities. Do what you can. Accept yourself, even as you don’t accomplish everything that you should. I want your spirit to be positive, as I am positive with you.