When we are good at something, we have a certain level of hubris. I
know mine, rears its ugly head at times. When we put in our 10,000 hours, we
often carry the audacity and chutzpah, like a badge of honor. We whisper to
ourselves, "I am now an expert." What does expertise mean?
Competency, proficiency, readiness. But, for many, it becomes a certain level
of finesse and mastery, that often leads to self-importance. A sense of
completion that can leave one stale and stagnate. If one feels they have
conquered the beast, they raise shield and sword, as if to say I am undefeated.
A reinvention need not occur.
Simply, a recognition of this presumption, is all that is required, to break
through the ostentation. A mirror, is only bad luck if it is broken. If held up
to reflect our flaws and see our strengths, it is personal wizardry, causing a
shift in perspective. There is no magic moment, where this transformation takes
place. The false confidence and determination, slowly gets displaced by wisdom.
This wisdom, the gravitas to reflect, on experience and welcome the tension of
testing yourself, challenging yourself and saying, 'it’s my fault,' when things
do not go according to plan.
For me personally, it means taking the imagery and confluence of
allegory and prose and condensing them to a practical framework. Writing both,
as myself, keeping the artistry of words alive but contained to a more
allegorical blog. While creating a new, more matter-of-fact, nuts and bolts
blog, to share the day to day trials and tribulations of teaching from the
arena floor. Not every spectator is on their feet to praise, many are there to
shout, “take them down.” But, with each successful swing of the blade, a doubtful
voice is silenced.
Having the diagnostic skill to
understand what’s wrong, can only come with a shrewd introspection. You must
get in the scene, when you are observing with a long lens, you are
eavesdropping, you feel distant and disconnected. It gets completely real, when
you are surrounded by innovation and greatness. Then, you are in that moment, walking
out into the arena, fearful of the ensuing havoc. You are now participating.
Growth does not occur from observation, but rather from doing and critiquing.
Reflecting and being honest, brutally honest with yourself.
Not standing, in the bustling
crowd, cheering and observing, but firmly planting yourself, on the sturdy,
well-traversed dirt, of the arena floor. There have been many battles here,
sword to sword, shield to shield. Some won, some lost, but always a campaign
for betterment. Each, a crusade fought for the sole purpose of progress.
Listening in a profile, close quarters position, rather than from a wide shot,
means a shift in ownership.
What is private property in the
morning on the way to work, becomes public property the moment the bell rings.
You as a teacher, are always the host, never the guest. It is your
responsibility as such, to create a certain ambiance, tone, for the 'space'
where your guests feel comfortable and engaged. For a party is only as
successful as its components: music, food, conversation. In a classroom:
intention and obstacle. Engagement requires good writing, appropriate staging,
performance and presence. In other words, a flexible and thoughtful plan.
This new blog- will be my venue
for purposeful, practical rebellion. Less symbolism and more substance.
Straightforward, specific strategies. I will leave my emblematic exposition to
iteacher imother.
I have been reading many amazing blogs lately, each focused not
only on purpose and relevance, but also practicality. The pragmatic,
functional, workable frame of reference that, we as educators are searching for.
This blog will be all about that, a minimalist journal of sensible,
down-to-earth strategies, that work. The activities and lessons, I have used, repeatedly,
tweaked and adapted year after year. But also, the crazy new ideas, I
incorporate on the fly.
These are what I seek when I read the fantastic blogs of my PLN.
You have all inspired me to ‘up my game.’
Thank you for inspiring me to displace some of my hubris and
welcome a little more humility. Wisdom is acquired not merely by personal
growth, but by interacting with and absorbing some creativity and mindfulness
from others. My cup runneth over my friends.
Practical Rebellion: Hubris to Humility: My Practical Rebellion is Born... http://mypracticalrebellion.blogspot.com/2018/04/hubris-to-humility-my-practical.html?spref=tw
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