TEACHER'S DILEMMA

A compromise tanka

If you are a fish

What else could you possibly teach

a monkey and squirrel

about climbing a tree ?

Draw them in deep water ...

Reviews

[Daisie Vergara (Dhaye)]

So clever, Neil. We always hear "Practice what you preach". We cannot give what we do not have.

Literally speaking, there are two kinds of learning a student can gain from a teacher : knowledge and skill. Knowledge is from information or theories being taught which are usually taken from the books; skill is from practice of the ability or expertise trained by the teacher. When you have the skill, you surely know the theory of what you are doing. But if you only memorized the theory without practicing the skill, you may have the knowledge but won't have the skill. Skill is a higher form of learning.
Back to the subject of your piece, a teacher can teach by providing information, but there will be no true learning because he doesn't have the skill to transfer to his students.
Again, we cannot give what we do not have.
Short but meaningful. This is great, Neil!

[NeiL ArandA]

It appears that most of the wonderful inputs and comments are coming from poets with extensive teaching experience. I am really impressed and at the same time I'm learning from all your thoughts and insights. If I rephrase your statements. Is it ok to sum up your take this way that as teachers we should not only be all about giving information but also in application and transformation of our students ? Thanks Dhaye :)

[gabrielle]

Your piece instantly reminded me of this saying, "Those who cannot do, teach." There's a huge difference between theory/concept and action/practice. i'll probably back to add some more...

[NeiL ArandA]

Gab are you saying that there are those who are born leaders and born followers ?

[gabrielle]

I believe that we all have the innate capacity to be leaders but not all of us chose to enhance or to put such gift into good use.

Back to your piece. A teacher may brilliantly teach his student all the concepts and theories but the test on whether a student has understood such theory/concept is seen on how well he applies the same in real life.

[SleeplessVolcano]

aahhhh.....sorry to jump into this conversation, but I do think a teacher has a responsibility going beyond just teaching well, i.e. presenting the information in a proper way. Some students have barriers other than processing issues, i.e. they are generally bothered with life (as many teenagers are) so even the best presentation of a lesson may go over their heads, until a truly caring teacher may ask the million dollar question, "Are you okay?". It is only once such a caring connection is made between a teacher and a troubled student that those potential barriers can be removed.........:)

[gabrielle]

hello SV! To me, if and when a student is able to apply in real life what was taught to him in school, it means that a teacher has done well; it means that the teacher may have gone extra mile so that the student may understand what he is trying to impart

[NeiL ArandA]

Gab what you are saying is that teachers are fully satisfied, feel good and well accomplish in their chosen field of profession depending on how they effectively impart their knowledge and skills to there student ? It may also go beyond just the four corners of school. Before we are teachers we are mom and dad too or someone is looking up towards us like the poem " Little Chap Follows Me " I like your take if I rephrase it right. What SV is saying here is perhaps from the holistic approach. That students are unique and have many socioeconomic challenges that may sometimes not only affects their level of understanding but also impedes their level of performance. Not all students absorbs and process information the same way and teachers should be discerning about that to tailor and adjust their approach and teaching styles. Also not all student's come from well off family so many come to school with an empty stomach or abusive and neglected parents or single parents. There's so much disparity in how a single mother takes care of their child than two parents who have more to devote. I think this is where SV is coming from. Thank you for sharing both your thoughts.

[SleeplessVolcano]

Ahhhhh.....now you've opened a can of worms......lol....."normal" classrooms have a mix of poor, middle class and rich students.....my classroom has only wealthy students who happen to have enough food to eat, but no inclination to learn whatsoever.....somehow, ironically, to have little when growing up may be the biggest motivation to expand and grow a searching mind........

[gabrielle]

In the Philippines Neil, there are some teachers who teach not because they want to but because they do not have any other options. Unemployment is high here that is why some engineers or other technical graduates would temporarily teach just to get by. If this is the case, can they be still effective teachers?

[jacob erin-cilberto]

as teachers we know what we know...but we try to lend our experience in a way as to help others make the best of life...

it isn't about us, it is about the students...

we have to put ourselves in their shoes as much as possible.

nicely done, Neil.

j.

[NeiL ArandA]

I appreciate you dropping by and sharing your thoughts Jacob. As you said. Teachers aren't just there for the students to give all the information they need but also to be a guide for them. Coach them to apply what they learned and eventually transform their lives.

[Sami Khalil]

There is an Arab saying:"Ask the experienced first before asking the learned."
I think those who have been in the trenches of life or those who have lived things through can be somehow an authority on that experience. An excellent poem with a message, Neil.............

[NeiL ArandA]

Thanks Sami I like your take on this one. Experience is still the best teacher. The student is not above his master... Appreciate your thoughts on this.

[Sami Khalil]

So true. You are welcome. ...:).....

[Belle]

There are different kinds of teacher, but as a classroom teacher I can say that teaching does not start nor end in my mastery of the subject matter.

Can we teach or preach what we are not? It would be difficult, but we are always capable of doing things beyond borders.

[NeiL ArandA]

You are saying that there are different kinds of teacher's teaching style. The cohesiveness of someones class is not dependent on the mastery of the teachers lesson . And how will the teacher engage his or her students level of understanding in relation to the subject matter that the teacher wants them to learn. I like that thought. If a teacher has a degree in English, Science, Mathematics or Economics. Is that enough to qualify him or her to teach or is it base on experience, willingness and enthusiasm or even calling ?. The muse is wrestling a dilemma of teaching a student or class where he had no previous experience in teaching and the class has the mastery of the english language. Your right on the dot with your assessment here Ms Belle. It is the physical reality. On the spiritual side. If someone does not have the talent or gift to teach but willing to oblige by which he was called. God will supply all that is lacking " God does not call the qualified but often times He qualifies the willing. " . But Yes its still a daunting task given the fact that english is not the new teacher's mother tongue. Thanks for leaving your thoughts on my page.