Clarity

   I have an issue with this.  

   When I was a young teacher, my administrator’s critique more than once was my clarity. They wanted me to put things like “teaching points” on the board at the beginnings of lessons. They wanted this so that they, and students could better know where I was going and judge me on how fast and efficiently I got there.

   I have to admit, much of my issue with this criticism had to do with the way I liked my lessons to unfold. 

   Fellow teachers know, you’re never teaching one thing. We teach with our lessons, yes. We also teach with our management, our character, our attention. We are differentiating for every individual and much of that has to do with that individual. I can do a dance for the ADHDers, I can fold in the complexities for my gifted to descry. I can redirect to emotional stability my bullies while supporting my bullied. And I can teach some societal point dreamed up by the latest Bill Gates for its utility.

   That’s teaching.  

   You can teach only what you grasp 95% of.  

   So here’s why this matters here:

   If you're reading this you likely know me. That alone is your investment. Maybe we’re friends, or family. Maybe we’re coworkers or ex-coworkers.  Maybe we’ve never even met in person, but this place is my workspace. If I ask you here it’s to share. The pool of readers is rapidly decreasing in this world, so good on you if you’re here and trying. Hopefully, I’m able to give you back something of value.

   But let me be clear, I’m not aiming for clarity. If you aren’t sure where I’m going with this, know in the very least this now, you are not alone. I don’t either!

   I’m obsessed with weirdly particular nuances. I’m inundated by the consequences of my own choices.  I’m also probably the happiest person I know. And I’m literally laughing out loud right exactly right now.

   I started this blog 16 years ago when my kid called me “Daddy” and it struck me funny. Now it’s just a place I’ve grown comfortable playing in. I spent almost a lifetime pissed off over the burden of having to wear a bra. I started off lost, vulnerable, and slow. And now I’m an NYCer without the patience for 3 seconds of anything I’m not 100% invested in. I viscerally “get” the touch and go.

   Thing is, I’ve read many of the primary sources used in eastern and western philosophy. I know the Bible. I’ve jumped out of planes and I’ve swam in the open ocean surrounded by wild sharks. I’ve come for Adrienne Rich’s wreck and not the story of the wreck. But I’m not here to teach what I know nobody really knows. I like the questioning. I welcome the uncertainty. I know that’s where all good begins.

   My point is that this has become a roller coaster. I grab from here a publish other places, or just post in here anything I feel like polishing but not leaving in a journal. I’d love comments but recognize that not everyone wants to leave one or can figure out how (fyi if you have advice on that a comment on how to comment is more than welcome!) but don’t expect a teaching point here. Right now, I’m on vacation.