Tuesday, October 30, 2007

ONE YEAR WITH AN ENGLISH TEACHER

Day 38, Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Today I felt myself drifting over into an old familiar role, one I have assiduously tried to leave behind. I guess you could call it the "sage on the stage" role, as it's often known in educational circles. At times today I became more a performer than a teacher, more an actor than an academic guide for young people. I never completely abandoned my role as a dignified, sensible adult, but there were times when I came close to being more entertaining than wise, more spectacular than enlightening. I don't admire this kind of teaching, one that I unfortunately employed with regularity in long gone days. I thought I had put it behind me, but perhaps not. Perhaps I have to be more vigilant to prevent this disingenuous "sage on the stage' from making any further appearances in my classroom.

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