My only fear in the classroom comes from weak administrators. I fear an inappropriate and inaccurate evaluation, an unfair assessment of my teaching abilities, my professional skills.
As far a classroom milieu goes, or the proficiency of students under my charge, I have no fears. No fears, that is, in my ability to teach any subject for open discussion and for writing assignments, and for my practices in teaching.
I am not unaccustomed to surprise visits from administrators and their subsequent shock at what students might say in their "presence." In fact, I welcome that. It shows how difficult CDS students are, and how a skilled teacher can quickly diffuse a situation or turn a negative behavior into a learning opportunity.
The reality of my perspective is that I am more shocked by what my colleagues say and believe, and how I allow that conversation to go unchecked. I am shocked that I allow it, dismiss it, or contemplate it without recourse when I know it's unethical or just plain sour grapes.
I consider myself flexible and professional enough to be curious about what other people think, and broad-minded enough to tolerate opinions and ideas different from my own, and I allow diverse assertions.
Written by Michael Cain
July 1, 2009
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