Pedagogy 101
by Alan Shapiro
Suited (I thought) and tied,
earnest as the day was very long,
I taught them when to be still,
why they needed to listen,
where Columbus was born,
how to answer textbook questions
and what the similarity was
between my decrees and their grades.
Sitting at bolted desks
while flies rambled on tall windows
they taught me when to shut my mouth,
why I needed to hear,
where they were coming from,
how to question textbook answers,
and what the difference is
between schooling and education.
18 April 1999
My name is Ashley Welch and I have been assigned to your blog for Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class. This poem that was posted in the blog was very moving. It goes along with another class I am taking right now, we are constantly doing research on the students in the classroom and how they react to teachers.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that I am just now finding time to sort through the wealth of information you shared with me. Thank you again! This is a great poem that so intimately supports the transformation I would like to see at my University. I got in touch with you as a result of one of my professors hearing me-- now I hope that she will listen long enough to realize how significant her choice to give me voice was in my learning. I will know that she has heard me when she is evaluating what I say and giving others the same opportunity to learn.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that it has taken me so long to sort through the wealth of information you have shared with me. Thank you again! This poem intimately supports the transformation that I would like to see in my own university. I contacted you as a result of one of my professors choosing to hear me-- now I can only hope that she listens long enough to see how meaningful her ear was in regards to my learning. I will know she listened when she evaluates what I said and gives others the same opportunity and motivation to explore.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for your support. As this endeavor grows, I will be in touch!