A Few Thoughts on Teaching and Education
In this activity, students consider various statements regarding teaching and education, compare those perceptions with their own, and share their
reflections on the quotations with the class. Divide students into small groups, and distribute a sheet with the following quotations about teaching to each group. Have each group select several quotations to consider.
a. Ask students to choose which of the statements most reflects their thoughts about education and teaching. “I still argue that . . . while there are ways to teach that are more efficient, more effective, more pleasant, exciting, and so on—children will learn, no matter what method you use, if they feel wanted, valued, and accepted in an environment in which they can interact with caring people they trust.” (James Comer)
b. Ask them which of the statements least reflects their notions of teaching and education. ·
“A primary reason for my success in the classroom was that I couldn’t forget that schooling was changing me and separating me from the life I enjoyed before becoming a student.” (Richard Rodriguez, writer, scholar, in his autobiography, Hunger of Memory)
c. What are the implications of their selections for education as a whole? Positive relationships, Respect, Nurturing, Passion, Equity, Impact, Growth,
