Inner Dialogue

I almost cancelled Robo I tonight. You know I am feeling really crappy if I consider cancelling THAT class. However, I decided to come because there are only a few weeks left and we are launching a new project, the Golf Ball Box. Knowing that I would not be able to stand for long, I gave Alex a call and asked him if he would be able to teach the class how to use the NXT interface. He didn't even hesitate when he said "Yes".

It was such a good feeling to realize that perhaps I am succeeding as a teacher when I have students that are competent enough and confident enough to stand in my place when needed. Perhaps the greatest role of a teacher should be to make themselves unnecessary over time... to equip their students with the skills and abilities to become self-motivated, self-directed learners. I think that is a concept that may threaten many teachers. "What? Make myself obsolete? Then what would my role be?" How about facilitator? Mentor? Co-learner?

I remember once before, many years ago, when my high school junior level English teacher had to leave because of an emergency. She handed me the book and asked me if I would teach the rest of the class. It was my first experience in front of a classroom of my peers, and I did it. At every opportunity I give my students the same chance, not because I am a slacker that wants others to do my job for me, but because I know that by teaching something, the student is "functioning at his highest relationship to the content". Facilitate. Mentor. Learn alongside them. Yes. It is then that I am fulfilling my calling and my responsibility to my students in the best way possible.