I will admit - classroom dynamics have changed some from when I was in school. I had the privilege of being taught by some wonderful teachers in each area of my educational journey. The assumption we always had was that the teacher was supposed to know everything and teach it to the students. A lot of my classes were lecture and we took notes. Today, many teachers and classes have gone away from this approach.
This quote really strikes a chord in me........in recent years, there is a great deal more emphasis placed on collaborative learning. Teachers certainly still impart knowledge and "teach" students. However, teachers also facilitate conversations, encourage students to share experiences, take part in "group" projects and presentations, interact with the world via technology and more.
As a teacher, sometimes it really is acceptable to answer a student's question with "I am not sure - why don't we look that up and learn more about that?" or "You know, John did his research paper on that topic. Why don't you two team up and learn more about that?". Living in community and learning together is a valuable experience. Directing students in this manner doesn't mean you aren't a good teacher - it means you are willing to learn WITH your students.
This relates to being a part of the "body of Christ" as well. As fellow believers, we are gifted with a variety of talents and abilities. Not everyone is a teacher or preacher. Some people are gifted with "behind the scenes" abilities and gladly work to see that all the details in a project are covered. When we are all working together and using those God-given abilities, things run smoother and we see growth.
What do you think when you read this quote? How does it speak to you?
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