Post by hollygail on Jul 27, 2016 5:15:23 GMT
Welcome!!! You have entered a space where all people are invited to gather to discuss matters of Spirituality, in mutual respect and friendliness: "Considering...Spirituality." Here, the focus is on personal spirituality and not dogma. We welcome with open arms people from any, all, and no religious/faith backgrounds, and those who practice spirituality on their own, to join us for a discussion centered on a higher consciousness. Each day there will be a quote, question, or discussion prompt presented for all to ponder and respond to.
**In maintaining an atmosphere of comfort and trust, we do not allow proselytizing (the effort of trying to convert others) or the denigrating of the religions and viewpoints of others. We also avoid bringing up topics such as politics, hot button social issues, or anything that can be considered divisive**
As this is a WW board, we also discuss our personal wellness, including our weight management program. We share our struggles and our triumphs regarding such as well as discuss things like family, friends, jobs, hobbies, outside interests, etc... We strive to build each other up with loving support in a positive manner. Let us not ever tear one another down in any way, shape or form.
Regular thread starters for the time being are:
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday: Gary
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: Holly
Yet if anyone is so inclined, please feel free to start a new thread by beginning with the title: "Considering....(topic -q/q)", post this introduction (by way of copy & paste) then follow that with a post putting forth a question and/or quote (with or without some explanation) for us to ponder today. The topic can be inspired by your personal faith, but please do remember that anyone from other spiritual paths should be able to answer it.
Shalom, Love & Light, Blessed Be, Namaste...
- - -
I just came across this article, and since I’m a teacher, I read it right away… I’ve made only VERY minor edits. I know nothing about the author.
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What Does It Mean To Be A Teacher?
By Steve Bayar
Picture yourself as an Educational Director or Educator search committee. There is a position open, and you have narrowed the field to two possible candidates. One is dynamic, outgoing, and will be able to involve the students in the educational experience. Unfortunately, his knowledge is suspect and inconsistent. He will make mistakes when he teaches. The other applicant’s knowledge is thorough and deep. However, he is quiet, meek and passive. He lacks the charm and charisma that will engage his students. Whom do you hire?
... This dilemma is more the norm than you might think. Even so, this identical situation was dealt with some 2,000 years ago in the Talmud (and again in the Code of Jewish Law 700 years ago). The problem is not new.
The answer commanded by the Jewish tradition is that you hire the teacher whose knowledge is sure. Better that the student not learn than be given inaccurate information. One can always fill in the gaps of one’s knowledge, but it is very difficult to unlearn the mistaken lessons of childhood.
The first prerequisite of being an educator is knowledge. You must teach from a solid foundation. It is not surprising that one cannot develop self-respect or command it from others without knowledge.
If the task of the teacher is to teach from what is known, it follows that anyone who does not heed this admonition is in real trouble. Lack of preparation or background only insures chaos in the classroom. Why then, do we constantly place educators in positions where they are forced to teach subjects outside of their toolbox? Why do we try to coerce them to teach topics they never prepared for? In our imperative for modern topics we have created curricula which are dependent upon teachers with specific skills and knowledge, yet we are not flexible enough to modify our goals based upon their strengths and weaknesses.
In a way we set ourselves up for failure by refusing to allow educators to work from their strengths. On the other hand, a teacher must love to learn. How can a teacher model for his/her students without providing behavior and attitudes for them to emulate? Education is a lifelong process. There should never come a time when you say “I have learned enough,” or “I don’t need to know.”
The task before a teacher is not to entertain or babysit. It is to impart knowledge to the next generation. Only when are secure in what we have acquired, confident of our ability to communicate it and constantly seeking more learning can we attain the self-esteem we so desperately need, deserve and seek.
- - -
q/q: Think about teachers in your life. (Don’t limit yourself to thinking about when you were in school; maybe the cashier at your local supermarket did something recently that taught you something about human interaction or whatever.) What was it about any of those teachers that “got” to you (either in a positive or negative way)? Tell us about your worst teacher and/or your best teacher; what about him/her made him/her the best/worst teacher? Do you teach? If no, have you ever wanted to? What would be your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to teaching?
**In maintaining an atmosphere of comfort and trust, we do not allow proselytizing (the effort of trying to convert others) or the denigrating of the religions and viewpoints of others. We also avoid bringing up topics such as politics, hot button social issues, or anything that can be considered divisive**
As this is a WW board, we also discuss our personal wellness, including our weight management program. We share our struggles and our triumphs regarding such as well as discuss things like family, friends, jobs, hobbies, outside interests, etc... We strive to build each other up with loving support in a positive manner. Let us not ever tear one another down in any way, shape or form.
Regular thread starters for the time being are:
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday: Gary
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: Holly
Yet if anyone is so inclined, please feel free to start a new thread by beginning with the title: "Considering....(topic -q/q)", post this introduction (by way of copy & paste) then follow that with a post putting forth a question and/or quote (with or without some explanation) for us to ponder today. The topic can be inspired by your personal faith, but please do remember that anyone from other spiritual paths should be able to answer it.
Shalom, Love & Light, Blessed Be, Namaste...
- - -
I just came across this article, and since I’m a teacher, I read it right away… I’ve made only VERY minor edits. I know nothing about the author.
- - -
What Does It Mean To Be A Teacher?
By Steve Bayar
Picture yourself as an Educational Director or Educator search committee. There is a position open, and you have narrowed the field to two possible candidates. One is dynamic, outgoing, and will be able to involve the students in the educational experience. Unfortunately, his knowledge is suspect and inconsistent. He will make mistakes when he teaches. The other applicant’s knowledge is thorough and deep. However, he is quiet, meek and passive. He lacks the charm and charisma that will engage his students. Whom do you hire?
... This dilemma is more the norm than you might think. Even so, this identical situation was dealt with some 2,000 years ago in the Talmud (and again in the Code of Jewish Law 700 years ago). The problem is not new.
The answer commanded by the Jewish tradition is that you hire the teacher whose knowledge is sure. Better that the student not learn than be given inaccurate information. One can always fill in the gaps of one’s knowledge, but it is very difficult to unlearn the mistaken lessons of childhood.
The first prerequisite of being an educator is knowledge. You must teach from a solid foundation. It is not surprising that one cannot develop self-respect or command it from others without knowledge.
If the task of the teacher is to teach from what is known, it follows that anyone who does not heed this admonition is in real trouble. Lack of preparation or background only insures chaos in the classroom. Why then, do we constantly place educators in positions where they are forced to teach subjects outside of their toolbox? Why do we try to coerce them to teach topics they never prepared for? In our imperative for modern topics we have created curricula which are dependent upon teachers with specific skills and knowledge, yet we are not flexible enough to modify our goals based upon their strengths and weaknesses.
In a way we set ourselves up for failure by refusing to allow educators to work from their strengths. On the other hand, a teacher must love to learn. How can a teacher model for his/her students without providing behavior and attitudes for them to emulate? Education is a lifelong process. There should never come a time when you say “I have learned enough,” or “I don’t need to know.”
The task before a teacher is not to entertain or babysit. It is to impart knowledge to the next generation. Only when are secure in what we have acquired, confident of our ability to communicate it and constantly seeking more learning can we attain the self-esteem we so desperately need, deserve and seek.
- - -
q/q: Think about teachers in your life. (Don’t limit yourself to thinking about when you were in school; maybe the cashier at your local supermarket did something recently that taught you something about human interaction or whatever.) What was it about any of those teachers that “got” to you (either in a positive or negative way)? Tell us about your worst teacher and/or your best teacher; what about him/her made him/her the best/worst teacher? Do you teach? If no, have you ever wanted to? What would be your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to teaching?