Taking a Pause to Ponder for a Bit...
Evaluation Time (Mostly Self-Evalution)
Posted Jul 29th, 2009 at 02:33 AM by Lucid Chaotic
Updated Jul 29th, 2009 at 02:45 AM by Lucid Chaotic
Updated Jul 29th, 2009 at 02:45 AM by Lucid Chaotic
So tonight was the last class of the summer term. I ended the class early to allow the students to complete their course evaluations.
One would assume that after seven years of teaching, the process of concluding a course and drawing the channel to a close would become more or less a routine… but surprisingly it hasn't.
At the end of every course, I ask myself whether I was successful this time around or not. Unfortunately, there’s no tidy answer to this. Alhamdullilah, I usually get good evaluations most of the time, but there’s a lingering thought at the back of my mind whether I was truly able to lead my students to what lies at the threshold of their minds.
Teaching is a serious responsibility, and I take it as such. It’s not the pursuit for good evaluations nor a quest for a teaching award, but just the satisfaction in that feeling that you got through to someone – and may be you had a minuscule of positive influence in their future. That’s the real reward of it all. As I stood outside the lecture hall tonight, waiting for students to complete their evaluations and exit the doors saying goodbye… it was the semblance of attainment in their farewell gestures and parting words that made me feel a sense of accomplishment in my own enterprise.
To know that you’ve opened some doors for people or given them an alternative course to try is the gist of my desired dividends… and every few months that I experience this event, I recall the words of my favorite poet/writer Khalil Gibran who says it so eloquently:
One would assume that after seven years of teaching, the process of concluding a course and drawing the channel to a close would become more or less a routine… but surprisingly it hasn't.
At the end of every course, I ask myself whether I was successful this time around or not. Unfortunately, there’s no tidy answer to this. Alhamdullilah, I usually get good evaluations most of the time, but there’s a lingering thought at the back of my mind whether I was truly able to lead my students to what lies at the threshold of their minds.
Teaching is a serious responsibility, and I take it as such. It’s not the pursuit for good evaluations nor a quest for a teaching award, but just the satisfaction in that feeling that you got through to someone – and may be you had a minuscule of positive influence in their future. That’s the real reward of it all. As I stood outside the lecture hall tonight, waiting for students to complete their evaluations and exit the doors saying goodbye… it was the semblance of attainment in their farewell gestures and parting words that made me feel a sense of accomplishment in my own enterprise.
To know that you’ve opened some doors for people or given them an alternative course to try is the gist of my desired dividends… and every few months that I experience this event, I recall the words of my favorite poet/writer Khalil Gibran who says it so eloquently:
Quote:
No man can reveal to you aught but that which already lies half asleep in the dawning of your knowledge.
The teacher who walks in the shadow of the temple, among his followers, gives not of his wisdom but rather of his faith and his lovingness.
If he is indeed wise he does not bid you enter the house of his wisdom, but rather leads you to the threshold of your own mind.
The astronomer may speak to you of his understanding of space, but he cannot give you his understanding.
The musician may sing to you of the rhythm which is in all space, but he cannot give you the ear which arrests the rhythm nor the voice that echoes it.
And he who is versed in the science of numbers can tell of the regions of weight and measure, but he cannot conduct you thither.
For the vision of one man lends not its wings to another man.
And even as each one of you stands alone in God's knowledge, so must each one of you be alone in his knowledge of God and in his understanding of the earth.
Khalil Gibran - On Teaching (in The Prophet)
The teacher who walks in the shadow of the temple, among his followers, gives not of his wisdom but rather of his faith and his lovingness.
If he is indeed wise he does not bid you enter the house of his wisdom, but rather leads you to the threshold of your own mind.
The astronomer may speak to you of his understanding of space, but he cannot give you his understanding.
The musician may sing to you of the rhythm which is in all space, but he cannot give you the ear which arrests the rhythm nor the voice that echoes it.
And he who is versed in the science of numbers can tell of the regions of weight and measure, but he cannot conduct you thither.
For the vision of one man lends not its wings to another man.
And even as each one of you stands alone in God's knowledge, so must each one of you be alone in his knowledge of God and in his understanding of the earth.
Khalil Gibran - On Teaching (in The Prophet)
Total Comments 9
Comments
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My father is a teacher too, retired now. He told me of an early interview of his career a question asked about students' development..I don't remember the question now but his answer was along the lines that a task of a teacher is to bring out/polish a students innate abilities rather than trying to make additions. This is from a teacher-philosopher which he quoted at the time but I don't remember .
I agree that a teacher is primarily giving knowledge but too much focus on just imparting the knowledge leaves many aspects of development untouched. If a teacher is able to open a door, as you mentioned, I believe he has done his job.Posted Jul 29th, 2009 at 03:29 AM by Masi Museebtay
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1-I loved khalil Jibran as kid, Did not know he was Muslim.
2-You know ..teaching and being a doctor are two most respected professions in Islam.Posted Jul 29th, 2009 at 09:36 AM by Monk
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I agree! actually I'm not too fond of the word "impart" knowledge... it's too authoritarian and implies one-way communication which is not something I agree with as a teacher. It's sharing of knowledge and regardless of how long I might have been teaching a course, I always end up learning something every time. My teaching philosophy is to inspire and instigate.Quote:Originally Posted by Masi MuseebtayI agree that a teacher is primarily giving knowledge but too much focus on just imparting the knowledge leaves many aspects of development untouched..
PM, you're lucky to have read Gibran in your childhood - unfortunately, I discovered him a little later than I would have wanted to. It's something I suggest everyone read early on in life - perhaps in their teen years. It's one of the most profound and liberating literary work I've come across.Quote:Originally Posted by PunchingMonk
1-I loved khalil Jibran as kid, Did not know he was Muslim.
2-You know ..teaching and being a doctor are two most respected professions in Islam.Posted Jul 29th, 2009 at 10:47 AM by Lucid Chaotic
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Back then It was more like exploring.. then absorbing... you are young U pick up most difficult books...Then after spending time.. you feel proud you were able to decode what author was trying to say...
But I swear .. randomly reading him now make more sense... I can relate more..
at some time I am going to re-read him...
( his view on fate/women/youth were amazing.... good to expand a young mind... but I say..should be done under watchful eye... )Posted Jul 29th, 2009 at 11:05 AM by Monk
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I'd love to sit in on one of your classes.Posted Jul 29th, 2009 at 11:44 AM by ~MuNiYa~
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I know im not a 'real' teacher as I only teach 5-6 year olds...but iv just finished my first year and im absolutely dreading the comments from the teacher who gets my class next...in terms of what I taught them...what if they forget how to add and spell and write their names! Im going to get the blame.
It really does keep me up at nights...the worrying and the guilt.Posted Jul 29th, 2009 at 12:01 PM by Milly
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MuNiYa, you're welcome any time to sit in
- I hope you don't get too bored though.
Milly... don't discount your teaching at that level... the way I see it, you're building foundations... while someone like me is laying bricks on top of that foundation. I guess our conscience keeping us up at night is a manifestation of our integrity... and it's what keeps us teachers mindful about the responsibility we have towards our students.Posted Jul 29th, 2009 at 04:20 PM by Lucid Chaotic
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Quote:No man can reveal to you aught but that which already lies half asleep in the dawning of your knowledge.
That's a beautiful saying !.......
My Dad once told me at the start of my career ...
" You may not recall a patient because you'll see many but that patient will always remember you for the impact you had on him or her .......so ALWAYS treat them with respect and sensitivity " ......
I've always tried to incorporate that into my dealings with my patients and have been surprised often at how true this is.......... especially when a random stranger will stop you on the street just to thank you because you had treated them with courtesy !
With education too , in your field , I would surmise that its the same.......its the satisfaction of knowing you made a positive impact and left an impression on a growing mind !
Posted Jul 30th, 2009 at 09:24 PM by sheyn
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^ that really is very sound advice sheyn... I try my best to follow it in my everyday life. I know the positive impact some of my own teachers have had on me with instances of life-changing impact... and I try to do my best to inspire learning rather than forcing it. I just hope my influence is a positive one on others in the same way as of my mentors was on me.
"A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops" ~Henry Brooks AdamsPosted Jul 31st, 2009 at 01:53 AM by Lucid Chaotic
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