Friday, March 14, 2014

Teaching on the Edge of "I Don't Know"


    
          What makes Ashley Wagner a figure skating champion is that she works the edge of what she can't do--the triple toe loop, the triple combination at the end of a long program--the whatever no one has done before. That is why she, as other figure skaters, falls during practice and competitions. In fact, she has fallen infinitely more times than I have--a non-skater. The same is true of champion gymnasts, snowboarders, boxers, and runners. But teachers are supposed to be perfect each time they enter the classroom--to know all there is to know about the subject, to have all the answers, to bat (using another metaphor) 1,000 all the time. How many balls did Willie Mays drop to become a Hall of Famer?

          This pressure for teachers to be calculably perfect all the time creates dummied-down teaching-to-the-test methods; litter box pedagogy for coverage and control; yellowing lecture notes; student worksheets with thick, over-copied words; and students struggling for their individuality in make-wrong environments. After all, isn't it all about guessing what the teacher's thinking? This model of teaching produces mediocrity and boredom--for teacher and students, both. It's as safe and predictable as never putting on the skates, at tall.

        Pablo Picasso said, "I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it.” So how to work the edge--the "that which I can not do" in the classroom? 

        Research? In this age of proliferation, no matter how many articles I read on Measure for Measure, there will always be more. If I spend my time ferreting articles and books--filled with anxiety that I will be missing something to tell my students, I will be so over-gorged with information that there will be no space for them to learn how to learn our subject, themselves.  What they will be learning is to take notes and tests. What they will be learning is that there is a right way to think. We will all be dutifully skating around and around the periphery of the rink--holding onto the rails.

         As a teacher, I am far more than a database. I am a coach, a witness, an energizer, a negotiator.  One of the most interesting classes I ever taught was an experiment: I did not reading the story we were going to consider the next day. Since I had nothing to say, literally, the students took off from the moment I asked "Did you like the story?"  They sensed that I wasn't waiting for them to stop talking so I could hold forth with some mythical perfect interpretation. I learned who they were as readers, what they noticed, what mattered to them.  I did NOT pull the "What's the main point?" shut-upping question, because there were so many points of interest that I, unprepared, would not have known. I asked a few open questions--didn't have time for more, because the discussion was so rich: Which character interests you and why?  Where in the text did you get engaged?  We discussed what they didn't like.

        In most classes, I am constantly choosing materials which I am newly exploring, haven't considered for a while, or not from some new perspective.  I come into the class excited, as at the beginning of most adventures, not knowing what will happen.  But I trust my students and I trust myself.  We explore together. We take pleasure in creating an interpretive community. What do I model by this? Curiosity. Perseverance. How to ask questions. How to learn. How to listen.  Let me repeat that one: How to listen. They learn to trust their own intuitions and insights.  They learn to trust me--that I won't ax them as wrong.  That it's OK to not know. They learn that knowledge is a vital, negotiable, changing process.  That learning how to fall is necessary for learning how to fly.

       What makes me a teacher is that I have made more mistakes than my students have--and learned from them. What makes me a teacher is that I am always pressing to learn more, to try new ideas and skills--to work/play with the edge of what I don't know. What makes me a teacher is that, as Socrates would have it, I know that I don't know. I measure the success of a class meeting by whether I learned something new.

        Let's not use our students to maintain our egos as all-knowing. Let's help them to develop their own strengths and confidence. Instead of fearing that I might be found wanting, I challenge my students: "Ask me what I don't  know. Know something before I do. Learn how to fall.  Learn how to soar."

       How are you working the edge of what you don't know?





© 2014 Susanna Rich

42 comments:

  1. This blog reminds me of the last class we had while discussing Measure for Measure. When I drew the connection between Angelo's crime and his reaction to Claudio's crime I nearly got so excited I lost my breath. I felt like I revealed my own slice of heaven and I was so proud of the mechanical process of my mind for creating such a thought. I felt invincible and my mind was engaged in the class from beginning to end. Throughout the class I stayed in my thoughts and fluttered around the playground in my mind, exploring other thoughts and points of view even if it was different from mine. I compared the play to other literature, Greek mythology, religion and psychology. (that is something I would have never done). I have been in classes that solely focused on "passing a state test" or exam. I have been in classes where I was not able to choose how and what to write a paper on. I have been in those night terrors and I am never going back.

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  2. Julianna,

    I am SO delighted with your engagement in literature~your insights, genius, enthusiasm. Yes, I'm ecstatic, too, as the word "ecstatic" means standing outside of--in this context, soaring outside of the drone and requirements of canons, dogmas, party and state lines, quantifications of the human spirit. Thank you for posting here, and for your glorious presence in class and as an Entouragette~

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  3. Here's a Facebook response from Lynne Hetzel Kivimaki, posted on Better After 50: "Susanna, I absolutely loved this post. When I went to college, my Dad told me I was there for two reasons: to learn how to think and to have fun, not necessarily in that order. What you're teaching your kids is invaluable--they are lucky to have you! This piece particularly spoke to me: That it's OK to not know. They learn that knowledge is a vital, negotiable, changing process. That learning how to fall is necessary for learning how to fly.
    Add pilot to your list of attributes! Feel free to repost this comment on your blog and thank you for all you do for kids."

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  4. Yes, I am working with what I do not know because I am learning new things everyday. I am also working with what I do know as stated in this blog article. Because people are expected to know things, it makes it hard to live up to expectations. So in my opinion we as people should not live up to expectations. Or I will not live up to people's expectations anymore.

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  5. hum how do I work on the edge of I don't know easy I tell my students every single day I am just a man who is unperfected in everyday and who knows nothing but because of my yawn for knowledge, freedom of speech and creativity I am a man who is a very wise woman who love to live on the edge and it works for me because I made it to college and soon will be a graduating senior with a Trist for knowledge and freedom!

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  6. I appreciate that I have a professor who's interested in seeing their respective students grow. It's true. us students are ignorant because we don't know. Teaching is very synonymous to parenting and you know parents are supposed to teach their children the world in essence.
    I really liked the part where you stated what makes you a teacher :

    What makes me a teacher is that I have made more mistakes than my students have--and learned from them. What makes me a teacher is that I am always pressing to learn more, to try new ideas and skills--to work/play with the edge of what I don't know. What makes me a teacher is that, as Socrates would have it, I know that I don't know. I measure the success of a class meeting by whether I learned something new
    I really liked that you measure your class to see if we learned something new. that's how I know this class is full of substance because we're always searching for it. Plus, I liked the Socrates connection. Overall this blog was just the truth and just gave me a deeper understanding of who you are and I appreciate that.

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  7. This piece dives into the place where too many teachers are afraid or prideful to enter… the level where their students are, that same level that they at some point in their life were also on.

    The tone is full of humility yet adventurous at the same time. There is a beauty in surrendering to the unknown and acknowledging the fact that teachers are not perfect, though many will never openly admit that.

    What strikes me most is your entire attitude. You are not one bit afraid of seeing things from within-the-box… for the sake of your students. When I say that I mean that it is incredible that you are not trying to peacock yourself to the world because of the degrees you have, you rather take on the stance of someone that will continue to learn until her last days. Which to me is not only inspirational but also unique.

    We see movies all of the time or hear stories of these incredible teachers that beat the odds to change the lives of their students, teachers that set themselves alongside their students rather than above them. Today there are many that hold the complete opposite quality, the dictator style professors that see everything in black and white, the same professors that traumatize students. Traumatize them through the countless penalizations given if they fail to fit the cookie cutter mold. Teachers are no longer the proponents of creativity or unique thinking but rather prefer that all students be the same. Professors are more concerned with semantics than entire ideas or concepts.

    I do believe teachers should learn from their students. Students are unique in everyway possible and each one has something to bring to the class, all of their experiences, lack of experience, successes and failures.

    I enjoyed reading this piece and look forward to the rest of the semester with your bright and humble outlook.


    Jennifer

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    1. Thank you, Jennifer, for your thoughtful response! We are by our students taught!

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  8. Since last time I have taken your class my mate and I have been trying media freeze starting with not texting to communicate with each other. Now that we both have instagram we both came to an agreement not to use social media two days out the week to focus more on us. The reason is because I have notice we would be next to each other for thirty minutes straight before we even communicate which is horrible.

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  10. Dr Rich,

    All of my life, I have been a scared person. Too scared to try new things; too scared to do anything. My college experience has also been like that so far too. Before College, I was scared. Scared I was not going to be able to handle it and that I would drop out before I could even fail. Now I am scared that I have made the wrong choice when it has come to picking out a major. I feel as if though I am working the edge of what I don't know. I don't know if my major was the right choice. I don't know if I'll be happy with it or even if I will get a job in it. And if I do get a job, will I be happy? These thoughts consume me everday and every class I attend. Not knowing is what scares me the most, but sometimes your gut tells you more than what you don't know. I know I'll be fine, but I am scared.

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  11. Dr. Rich,
    My favorite line from this post was “isn't it all about guessing what the teacher's thinking?” I can’t tell you how many times I have my students trying to guess what I am thinking rather than just saying what THEY think. The other day I had a question on the board that specifically stated, “Write what YOU think” and they raised their hand and asked, “Ms. Finis is this our opinion?” As if I had ever told them that their answers that didn’t come straight out of a textbook weren’t good enough. As a student, I have learned from your class and through this post, that discussing what the students like, don’t like, or find interesting will vary. The best part is that as a future teacher, I am not going to get the same exact answers when I ask my students those questions. Why would I want to ask a question like, “What are some character traits of the main character?” There’s no class discussion and nothing interesting about a generalized reading question. This feeds into what you spoke about next, feeling like the answer given was “wrong.” A lot of my students when it’s a story specific question won’t answer. They all sit with their hands down, but the moment I ask for an opinion on that answer it’s as if I’d just asked a Kindergarten classroom what their favorite color was. They don’t understand that not knowing, or giving me answer that I myself as the teacher maybe didn’t know isn’t “cool” yet. I have learned through colleges and your classes specifically that the best kind of learning is the one we can all share together, or like you said, “skating around….holding onto the rails.”
    -Alessandra Finis

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  12. Dr. Rich,
    Trying new things in life has always scared me. I was so used to things I already knew, and things I was already used to. With college itself, I have been scared since the beginning. Scared of failing, Scared of getting bored of my major. Scared of not being able to handle all these assignments given to me at once. I was even scared of reaching the point of just giving up. Through my experiences of college in both community college up to Kean, I have learned so many new things that I would have never learned if I never took the jump. I have learned to become a more responsible, and independent woman. I have learned to take life one step at a time. I have also learned a lot from failing, and that it is okay to fail in life. What is more frowned upon is giving up and not trying. Now as I am about a year away from graduating, I can tell you how much my brain has absorbed new things. I feel like a sponge. I love learning about as many new things as I possibly can in a day. I am forever grateful of how many new things I have learned about Shakespeare, and that you have opened my eyes more to the beauties and wonders of him, and I can now say that I appreciate him more than I ever have. From this blog, I will carry these wise words of not being afraid to say "I don't know" and to not be afraid of trying new things in life. Life is all about taking that jump, and overcoming all of the obstacles life brings. We need to all have the bravery of taking that leap of faith into new, and exciting experiences. Thank you, Dr. Rich!
    -Valentina Quesada

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  13. Dr.Rich,

    Working from the unknown is one of the scariest things to do as a human being. We love to control and be under the illusion of control. I have learned over time that control is nothing but a fantasy that we try to make reality. I believe that life is a cycle that flows in different directions and that not one road is permanent. Change is the only constant in life. Making mistakes is terrifying because it makes us feel small. It brings us back to that feeling of not being in control. I think mistakes are necessary in order for us to grow and become better human beings to one another. I have started to live life on the edge since March of 2016 and I will never go back. I chose the major that would bring me joy, I travelled to europe for the first time, I have my own blog to document my happiness and I have been working toward my goals, in the past, I would have doubted my ability to achieve them. My life is the best it’s ever been in months because of my decision to live more bravely. I wanted to add that teachers should be allowed to make mistakes, inside and outside of the classroom. No one is perfect or has all the answers.

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  14. One thing I really appreciated about taking a class with professor Rich was that she was working on her piece while our class was working on their pieces. I could tell when we spoke in class that she was as stressed out with her piece as I was on mine and it gave me a sense that this is a human who, although has more knowledge and wisdom in writing, is still human and continues to learn. She isn’t selling perfection or even high grades, just learning along with her students while teaching them from what she has lived.
    I felt at ease.
    I appreciate you for teaching me more things in one semester than I have learned in my five years at Kean. These is wisdom that you have shared with me which has really stuck. As a future teacher I like the idea of measuring the success of a class by whether I learn something new. Not only did I learn how to be a better writer, but most importantly how to be a better human being. I KNOW I will be a better teacher by engraving into my brain that I must work with what I don’t know WHICH IS A LOT! By constantly being a student myself, I will be a better teacher.

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  15. Well said DR. Rich. I used to be so busy trying to know a bit of everything that I forgot that I had LOT more to learn. that created this stressful aura around me. would stress about anything and never allowed to sit back and just listen to somebody. I would rather go find the answer myself. there is nothing wrong in trying to learn more through research. the point here is that I needed to be less mechanical and interact more, and maybe like you mentioned, Dr. Rich, I would've probably catch something I wouldn't on my own. And So I am not knowing much and eager to learn from other. It is so liberating, to interact and learn from one another.

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  16. I love how you ended with “I have made more mistakes than my students have--and learned from them” because that’s what I was getting from this blog post. Failure truly is life’s greatest teacher and it is not limited to any sort of situation, we fall only to rise back up stronger under the added weight of knowing what to improve upon, and that drive to better one’s self adds strength. No one is perfect. I never go into a classroom thinking that my teacher will be perfect, my only expectation and hope is that they know enough about the content that they are enforcers of to the that I can learn something I went in desiring to from them. I relish in the idea of coming face-to-face with a professor that can and is willing to open their mind to improving themselves further and doesn’t just hold themselves to a high regard that they feel they are the leading authority on the matter. No one should feel the need to oversell themselves to the extent that they pretend to be and preach more than they know and are. Being a teacher should be just as much of a learning experience for someone as it is for their students. Being confident and competent enough in one’s role, especially as a teacher, is a preference to me over someone who has all the answers. Because who really has all the answers? I can honestly say that you are the kind of teacher that I would like to have for all the classes. Not only are you an effective source of information but you’re always willing to learn more, and you’re not afraid to let your students know that (as evidenced by YOUR willingness to take notes in class). You’re always improving yourself it seems, not just as a teacher, but in other areas, so you’re infinitely potent.

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  17. Hi Dr. Rich,

    Your approach to teaching as being part of the class rather than the person that is essential to the class's function is something so new and admirable. As a student teacher, I see your teaching techniques in a different light than an English major who looks to you for guidance. Lucky to me, I get to learn from you in two different ways.

    Being a teacher is a public school is difficult because of all of the things I am told I must do: stand in front of the class, give them directions, make them written formulated essays, grade them based on a rubric, and repeat. The System does not allow much room for asking for interpretation, talking with students about how they feel about their work, style, or progress. The system wants teachers to create "well rounded" individuals. Being a teacher is difficult because I am fight with what I know is a "well rounded" individual and what The System says it is. You are creating "well rounded" adults, Dr. Rich. I will use your teaching style in my own classroom to ensure that my students have a sense of self and a sense of freedom, especially in their writing.

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  19. Hi Dr.Rich,

    You inspire me! As a future educator, I want to challenge my students and help them grow each and everyday. Unfortunately, not many people think the way you do. The public school systems evaluates a student based on standardized testing and encourages students to memorize, and give them overload work. Not many students like myself are good test taker and do poorly on these exams. It's very difficult for teachers because there is not much they can do about the school systems. But, teachers can encourage students to think outside the box and improvise. Great post!

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  20. Not knowing something paired with humility instead of pride is how I navigate through my world of things unknown. If i really don’t know something and I offend someone , I’ll always apologize and ask for the knowledge. I feel that any other approach to life isn’t one that will bring about growth as individual.Humility is everything.

    When it comes to trying new things, I was always apprehensive as a kid. But having labeled and as I’m battling my anxiety, I dive head first into new things before i even get the chance to over think them.

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  21. Dear Dr. Rich,
    I could relate a lot with this blog and what it had to say. Often I find the new and unexplored options in life to be the most fulfilling. It makes me think of that saying, taking the path less traveled. One of my happiest memories of adventure would be the first vacation I took with my girlfriend last summer. We went to Cape May, to a spot I had always stayed at as a kid but never without my parents. I knew lots of places and things to do, but they were all familiar to me. I wanted to try something new; I wanted it to be an experience I would remember. We went out late and visited a different place every day. We would drive in a direction and get lost then go from there. We have eaten so many new foods, seen so many new sights, and all because we decided to venture into the unknown. IT was a thrilling experience and I loved every second of it. There’s just something about experiencing new unknown thins that makes the adventure much more exciting and memorable. This shouldn’t just apply to vacations though; I think diving into the unknown can add excitement to life as a whole.
    Stephen Corrales

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  22. Sometimes not knowing can ignite the feeling of wanting to know more. But it all starts with that motivation to learn something new, and the determination to put yourself out there when you know nothing at all. I rarely like to answer I don't know, because often times teachers assume you did not do the homework and you're just slacking off, when in reality, I can't put the answers into words. We were taught to always know but I realize now that it doesn't make me look less smart of a person when I am unsure at times.

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  23. Dr. Rich,

    I feel like every second of my life I am working on the edge of not knowing. I am always pushing myself harder and harder. Being a hard worker, I keep my own expectations high. I feel like the possibilities are endless for me as long as I stay focused and motivated. I am currently taking seven classes during my first semester at Kean. I am a tutor on the weekends. I work another job. I am trying to prepare for my Praxis II and on top of that I try to maintain a social life when time permits. It feels like I hardly have time to myself anymore, but I keep pushing knowing that the only option I will allow myself to choose is success.

    I was always pushed hard to be a good student and athlete. I never had any limits growing up. I pushed as hard as I could 24/7. Rest and laziness are not really things I have time for. I'm always working towards the next thing. I'm working to get through this semester of seven classes. The following semester, I have the same intentions. After that, I need to graduate. Then, I need to get a job. It never really stops for me. The truth is I am always on the edge of not knowing if or when I'll ever crack. Yet every day, I get up and just keep moving forward towards my goals. I see everything as long-term and know that everything I put effort into here and now will benefit me later down the road.

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  24. I really appreciate how you teach the Shakespeare Survey class. Using the method of asking the students what is their opinion, and make their own conclusions about the story without any pressure of being right or wrong, The students can be free to come up with their ideas or expression because everyone and process information in their own way. I really appreciate when you compare athletes with being a teacher, it is all connected. We all need to stumble sometimes and many practices to get it right. I appreciate that you are so interested in getting your students engaged and teaching how to think for ourselves. Many teachers have so much pride to admit that they do not know something, instead being humble enough to just say I don’t’ know. I do believe by taking this class I am working on the edge that I don’t really know, since I am learning new things all the time, things that I never thought before. Learning from other students, hearing from others, I am also benefiting from them, creating new ideas. To me is a challenge to express my ideas or opinions in public but I can see that I am not the only one. Trying new things in life has always scared me but without any challenges in life how am I ever going to be successful? I am glad that I had the opportunity to be a student of such unique professor.

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  25. Maryann

    This basically relates to “no one is perfect” even though there can be a lot of pressure to be. As a student teacher preparing to be a teacher one day I absolutely feel the pressure, the anxiety over it. I have never done this so how can I expect myself not to fall not to drop the ball on a lesson. I have to reassure myself that I will fail one day, one lesson, and I will survive no one will fire me. Getting back up and improving something making changes is the way of life. What I have found helps is telling the students I am learning with you guys there is new information I learn all the time so bear with me. I actually just learned something new, the phrase bear with me is spelled like that not like the bare with me I was about to type. Learning should be fun it should be enjoyable something for both students and teacher together. I have also learned new things from the middle school students I student teach with. I tell them all the time to let them know that they can be facilitators of their own knowledge as well, it's fun to discuss things people might not have known. That is how we grow as intellectuals and you won't find that on a standardized test.

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  26. As a future educator one thing I want to avoid the most is teaching on the edge of “ I don’t know”. I don’t want to teach my students blindly and say I don’t know to subjects that I’m proficient in. I also don't want to just hand out packets of papers to students because what type of teacher would I be. I'm the type of person that dislikes to say, “I don't know”, because I always try to find an answer whether I don't or o have it. I'm a man raised not to say that word around them and find a reason for everything. So as a teacher iowuld not say that word to my student if they posed a question because then what type of teacher would I be if I have no answer for that. Its as what Picasso said, “ I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it”, this is the type of montra I live by. I too am more than just a person; I'm a database and everything you said as well because this is what i relate myself too. I'm at an age where I constantly need to adapt and learn from situations where one might find it hard to come across. Being adventurous and knowing every little bit of details can insure more knowledge for me when I too become and educator. So I'm working on the edge of, “ I don't know” , by acquiring knowledge and teaching my future students all that I know.

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  27. Nadia Radwan
    I can definitely see this method of teaching reflected in your classroom Dr. Rich, and I love it. Being able to express your thoughts and feelings openly in class is great. When I first started the class I was so confused! I was like what do you mean you don't care what we write about, what do you mean there's no page limit? I was severely intimidated by the lack of rules and I felt like there was something wrong. The whole time I was writing my timon of athens paper, I kept thinking what my other professors like and tried to implement that in the paper. Of course because I did realize at the time that Dr. Rich really meant no rules, that she really wanted to hear what I had to say and not what I thought she wanted me to say, I did poorly on that paper. After the first paper I realized this and by following my gut and reading a few of her blog posts, like the one on “digesting” quotes, I felt way better about my second paper on love labour's lost. For that paper I really immersed myself in the actual content of the play. I even did Dr. Rich’s recommendation of actually using physical books! I just went to my towns library asked the librarian if we had any books about symbols and about renaissance art and just started from there. Through this method of letting us students find our own way helps us build independence and something we can be proud of. I think that more teachers should adopt this way of assigning work because it not only makes the teachers reading experience better, but it enhances students critical thinking abilities.

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  28. Dear Dr. Rich,
    I like Pablo Picasso’s reasoning, I live by this. Let me explain, I have been living my life under pretense that everything is fine, I’m fine, life is fine. but not really. I have wasted a lot of years doing what was expected of me. Go to school, get good grades, find a good man, get married, have children… but in the process I have not done the things I want to do as a woman, as an individual. Yes, I am happy with my life, I love my children and I am grateful for what I have accomplished, but .. yeah there is always a but. Now I have surpassed that stage in life where you care about what others think, where you have to act a certain way. When my husband told me maybe I should go back to college and rediscover myself, I jumped to the opportunity. I was scared and intimidated, but I needed to do this for me. Now I am a student and every day try to push myself to challenge myself. Certain classes that look hard, I just jump right in and take them. Start conversations with strangers in school, just go for it, who knows?! You might find a friend. I don’t wait to see how warm the water is, I just jump in.. oh and in the nude!

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  29. Nicole Diefenbacher
    ENG 3000*01
    Dr. Rich

    Teaching on the Edge of “I Don’t Know”

    As a student who is on the cusp of graduation, my life just feels like a whole lot of “I don’t know”. And it absolutely terrifies me. I have this horrible fear when it comes to big changes. I love learning and trying new things, at least once. But going out into the real world scares the crap out of me. I looked on LinkedIn for maybe twenty minutes the other day and all of the jobs said something along the lines of “must have three years experience” doing a similar job in order to apply for this job. And I sat there extremely confused asking myself, “how the hell am I supposed to get experience for a job if I need to have experience in order to get the job?” It terrifies me.

    But in those times, I’ve found that the comfort of my friends who have already done this kind of thing and are in the same field as me definitely helps me out. My one friend said to apply anyway because who knows, they might like what they see on your resume. The world is a scary place, but it’s a little less scary when you have people to help you through it.

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  30. Dr. Rich,

    You are the first professor I have heard say, "It's okay not to know". So many teachers expect so much of us students, wanting us to know everything, making education a horrible experience for us. I had a teacher that never taught us but expected us to know everything and would bash us if we didn't. How is that fair? We have teachers holding students to an unrealistic standard, which is ultimately stunting out growth. It IS okay not to know because then we can learn it. Like you said, let's dance on that edge and be happy about it. We can't learn if we already know everything.

    Sarah Otero

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  31. Seanette Martin
    April 11, 2019
    Eng 4817
    Prof Rich
    Teaching on the Edge: I Don’t Know
    Stepping into this class I wasn’t sure what to expect I sure didn’t expect for my writing to turn into a different direction. I have always be scared to try new things especially when it comes to my writing. What if I write something and it messes something else up so instead of trying I stick to my normal writing. These past weeks have been very trying for me after workshopping I learned I have to step out of the normal and try something that I have never done before. For weeks I fought with myself to get out of my old habits but I am a firm believer that nothing happens before it’s time.
    Two weeks ago I decided what harm could it be to actually try something new with my writing and that’s just what I did. To say I am happy is an understatement because the feeling is more than happiness. The way that I feel is the same when I feel when the plane takes off to my destination. I am very proud of myself that with my decision to try new writing I was able to find myself as well. With the poetry I am writing I’m not just talking about the usually heartbreak but now my poetry has substance. I sat in the park and wrote a nice poem about the nature around me and it felt amazing almost like I was having an outer body experience. I loved that I chose to try something new with my writing. Thanks for teaching me how to feel comfortable while stepping out of my element.

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  32. What I really love about Dr. Rich’s blog posts, is that she writes from experience. She teaches us the “Behind the scenes” of being an educator. For students who are future teachers, this really helps, as you don’t learn this in some college courses. This blog post in particular, has taught me that it is simply okay not to know how your day in your classroom will look like. We should think of the new day as a new adventure.
    Bringing this topic to my paper, I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to write about for my final paper in Senior Seminar. Dr. Rich told us to write for ten minutes about a topic that you think you want to write about. I did just that, and discovered that I just could not write a long paper on that first idea that I had. For the next week in a half I still didn’t know. Dr. Rich told us to take risks with this paper. Therefore, I did just that. I wrote, and am still writing about a situation that is occuring in my life today and to be completely honest, I still don’t know if that was the right thing to be writing about, but I took that risk. This blog post reassures me that not knowing, is all okay. It is okay not to know, just take it step by step. Which is inevitably what I did, and will still do from now on. Thanks for a very insightful blog post, Dr. Rich.

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  33. I think this has to be my favorite blog post from this semester. I truly connected with Teaching on the Edge of “I don’t know.” I found myself throughout the post agreeing numerous times with what you said. As a teacher you are expected to know ‘it all.’ The pressure from not knowing is a real thing. I am going into teaching and there many things I am fearful and I ask people or teachers all the time what do you say to a student if you don’t know something? And a lot of times I do not agree with their answers. I have no idea why as humans we are this way, but we are scared of not knowing the answers. Instead of admitting when we don’t know something we try to bullshit our way through the answer which who does that help? Nobody.
    In any job, we are expected to know everything. There is a great pressure from who is coming to us for answers. As a student, there is always a fear of not having the correct answer so we remain silent in the classroom. Or as a babysitter, when I am asked a question and I don’t know the answer there is almost embarrassment in the not knowing. When in reality, we should see it as a positive, an opportunity to gather new information and explore the topic we are not fully informed on. When I learned it is ok to be wrong, it is ok to make mistakes I feel that is when I have grown the most as a person. I struggle with new topics I am unsure of but I ask the questions and I explore the new information and that is when I learn and then I do know.
    Kelly Fleschner

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  34. Many of my past professors have often fell for the belief that teachers are supposed to know everything in regards of the subject which they teach. I personally believe that many teachers feel pressured to always know the answer to every question asked by students because of us students placing pressure on these professors to know the answer. At times we forget that these professors are human and at times are learning through us through each classroom experience.
    I appreciate the metaphor regarding Ashley Wagner because even though she is a professional skater she too doesn’t know how to perform every skating trick and she too has days where she falls but what is most important is how you stand up at the end rather than walking away. It is okay for a teacher to not have the answer to a question asked by a student or fellow colleague but what makes the teacher great is when she or he follows up with “I’ll get back to you on that question,” or “Wow that is a great question and I am unsure, is it okay if I follow up with research?” Many teachers allow pride to interact and forget that every experience is a learning experience. As a student I find it very respectable when a teacher can admit that they are unsure of a question because it allows the student to feel far more comfortable when they are unaware of an answer. I as a student have struggled a lot during my years of schooling because I often have the fear that others would think I am “dumb”, or “stupid” because I don’t know the answer to a question. I often feel embarrassed to raise my hand and ask a question in class in fear that everyone else in the class knows the answer except for me so to see a teacher admit that they are unsure of something provides me with confidence (at least in that class) to put my pride aside and admit that I am unaware of something.

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  35. This blog post pertains to me the most. My signature line in your class was “I don’t know what to write about for this paper”. We talked through every topic and I pushed boundaries I never thought I would. You want to talk about teaching on the edge? I wrote a full 5 page paper on a phallic image in the Tempest. I worked with ONE LINE. from ONE SCENE. And I was able to create a paper I was so proud of. That is teaching on the edge and learning on the edge. I have never written a more edgy paper before in my life. I was kind of terrified to do it, and was even more terrified to hand it in, but once I did, I was genuinely excited for you to read it, because I know I pushed myself on it. I took myself out of my comfort zone and shined. It is still one of my favorite papers I’ve written, simply because it was so unconventional. That's what I appreciate the most from the class. Everything was so unconventional, I didn’t even feel like I was in class. I felt like I was in this completely different world. I can appreciate it now that it’s over, I wish I could have appreciated it more while it was happening.

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  36. When professors admit that they do not know an answer to a question that is the best because they’re being honest. There is not one individual that is perfect, but I know certain professors that believe they are. Due to this, the professor fails to gain insight from their students as they may feel embarrassed if a student discusses a topic, they are not skilled on. This prevents the classroom from having open discussions and believing in oneself. I enjoyed this blog as it showcased how you have completed schooling but you are not willing to stop learning. When you permitted your students to discuss the story they read as it allowed them to say what was on their mind without the fear of stating “the wrong answer.” This allows for one to feel open and comfortable to speak as the environment is welcoming. As a future educator, I aim to follow this teaching style as I am sure I will gain knowledge from the future generation of children that will benefit me and allow me to have an insight on their world. I would hate to have to steer students away from me because they are afraid that speak what is on their mind. I am willing to listen to others thoughts and ideas and although I can admit that I often get scared when I do not know something, it only takes research and listening to gain new knowledge and work the edge of what I do not know.

    Bailey Vick

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  37. Dr. Rich,

    This post is so important. I am convinced that the phrase, "I don't know" was created by students - a long time ago. That phrase is simply a cry for help - whether it is from a student, a teacher, a neighbor, a friend, or a loved one. "I don't know" or, "I'm fine" many times leads to mental illness, or even death. If mental illness is already present then that is a double whammy one way ticket to hell. Since when was it acceptable to let ourselves go into this mindless, ineffective vicious circle of negativity? There are many resources to help people who feel like they do not know, or who feel like they do not understand something. Knowing an comprehending are two totally different things. Four year old Sally can know that one is a number, that two is another number, and that three is yet again another number. Comprehending that one (the first number) plus two (the second number) equals three all together. So, when asked what one plus two equals, little Sally responds with, "I don't know" because she generally feels like she does not know the answer. In reality, she is not knowledgeable about how to comprehend how to add one and two. A good teacher would take little Sally aside and asses her in different ways to try and accommodate Sally's academic needs. Why should little Sally have to suffer if we have resources and time to better educate her? Sally knows the answer, she just needs help getting there. That is what teaching is all about.

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  38. I think one of the main differences that I have noticed between high school and college are the instructors. There are many teachers who teach and advise their classes well, but there is also a handful where most teachers will want to maintain their ego. With college and universities, many of the professors want you to learn and grow. Instead of being on a high horse, they are able to be down with the students and maybe learn something new from them.

    Many of the classes in high school are structured in a black and white way where if you say an interpretation or a different way to solve the question that is being asked, any creativity is shut down because that’s not what the teacher believes. This sometimes gets annoying and hinders the growth of the individual because it 1) embarrasses the students and 2) lets them know that creativity and what they think is going to be wrong.

    I used to be so against the idea of going into new activities because I don’t know what is going on or what is going to happen. My anxiety and fear get in the way and I overthink. By sticking to the old things and what I already know, I feel much more comfortable and safe in my own little bubble. Unfortunately, this does not make room for much growth because as author Robert G. Allen said, “Everything you want is just outside your comfort zone.”

    Nowadays and recently, I have been more open to other activities and exploring new hobbies and events. As scary as it sounds, there’s so much stuff out there in the world and staying in one comfort bubble won’t open me up to new experiences that might change my life.

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  39. Using Ashley Wagner as an example made an understanding about life. Throughout my childhood life, I had a developmental delay because my mom always did things for me that I was suppose to do at my age; do my homework. When I came home from school, she just did my homework for me and I either watched TV or played. I was spoiled and my older sisters didn't like that. My reading comprehension gotten bad, because I didn't understand what I was suppose to know. It took awhile for reading to get interesting to me. A certain story had to entertain me, to make me want to read. I failed from not knowing my knowledge earlier and got on track of reading.

    Throughout my life, I've been very shy and kept to myself because of rejection and harassment. I came across a lot of horrible people and concluded that everybody around was the same. Then other people who were nice came along, and found out that not all people were as bad. I didn't anything about the other people, until I got to know them and be friends. I've lost some good friends that has depressed me and I was afraid to start all over again. I hold on to so much of the old memories and not make new ones. Nothing was going to change itself, so I tried making other friends and observe how they are. I hesitated to meet new people, but I knew I couldn't live in fear forever, so I got out and explored. Being on the edge of "I Don't Know" had been challenging for me for the past few years. I'm stuck in the past of things that had happened and think I'm going to have the experience again, if I try to go forward. I'm still trying to get past the negativity and be positive. I'm connecting with "friends" and knowing who they are, taking chances getting to know them and with that, knowing who I am. I'm making mistakes along the way, but am slowly maturing to know what is right for me. I've fallen down and gotten back up; that's life. It's scary, but it's got to be faced.

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  40. When I was the Head Program Coordinator while teaching, I used to remind the staff to never tell the parents you don’t know something. My boss used to tell me all the time so I needed to pass down the knowledge and elaborate a bit. When you say, “I don’t know,” that gives the parents the impression that the people responsible for caring for their children are clueless and incapable. Not only do you want them to trust you but you want them to feel as I know this person and he/she will do whatever it takes to reassure me and my family. The reply to parents should be, “Although I may not have the answer now (or I am not definite), I will gladly find out as much as I can and then contact you. Is there a particular way you would like me to contact you? Possibly a phone call to explain and to ease the stress.” In a way you are being honest but you’re not freaking out the other party. We are designated parents to their children and it is necessary to work together. There were plenty of times, my staff made a mistake and I swooped in to help. Sometimes it’s not what you say but rather how you say it.

    When I’m talking to my students, I refused to hear the phrase, “I don’t know.” I would tell them; I didn’t understand what they meant. Children have to learn how to describe and explain to the best of their abilities. Too many parents/guardians answer for them and it prevents them from thinking for themselves. My expectations were simple. Take your time to explain to me what confuses you, what you need help with or what you’re unsure of. I wanted my students to know there are many things that they know and still need to learn. It’s important to acknowledge your own intelligence. Be proud because down the line, you may be able to help a peer. It amazingly got to a point when I would say, “I don’t know” something and they would correct me. I love when that used to happen because it means they were listening and understood my message. Now they have to stop pretending not to hear me or their parents when we speak because the gig is up. We all know they listen well. They simply choose to ignore.

    Meagan AWP 5000

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