Day Two

In the morning, we are invited to draw a picture of the "quintessence of a teacher". Goofy, yes, but a fun psychology test. Some people drew a picture from their memory (they were the student). Others drew an idealized picture of their perfect teacher. Still others envisioned themselves in their classrooms--naturally, they were the quintessence of a teacher. (Yes, that would be me.)

I can't draw at all. I mean,really.

When I think about the money I'm spending (spending? Nay, borrowing) to draw stick figures, I get depressed.

Anyway, after we drew our pictures, we had to "share" them with the other people at our table, while each of us "respectfully expressed what we saw".

Two of the three people forced to experience my scratches did, in fact, see what I was trying to express: I see a teacher as a resource, both directly and indirectly. My room has extra textbooks, calculators, pencils and paper for students to borrow. Useful facts are plastered anywhere there's wall space. The bookshelves have additional source material if needed.

This is how I teach now. My bag is full of pencils and notebooks; I could run a small school out of the back of my car, with textbooks in every subject and most levels.

The third person at my table said,"So you like a really neat room, with calculators under lock and key, and all the students sitting quietly working."

I said "No, that's just because I can't draw very well."

Neat. The mind reels.