Chapter 5 "Be Impartial"-in Taoism, no person is more important than another. In teaching it is very easy to forget and show favoritism to those we personally like best. Obviously, try to avoid it. Everyone has a contribution to make. One can learn something from every person one meets.
Chapter 6-The Tao Never wears out with use. Its very essence is flexible and changing. I often think of the Tao, instead of "the way", as more of a path - or many paths-that invite exploration. The path doesn't get old because it changes based on one's choices. In the classroom students can help dictate the curriculum-bringing in their aspects of the topics they find interesting- more often then not more than the teacher even requires. Students can bring so many more additional and varied ways of looking things than a teacher might even imagine.
Chapter 7-Do Not Think of Self- others come first. You, as teacher, are not un-important but student come first. This student-centric approach often brings more respect and interest in the topic when they see a teacher putting their own interests, thoughts, and ideas after the student's.
Chapter 5 on staying impartial is always a hard one I think. I know I need to work hard to not have favorites, but sometimes there are employees I REALLY didn't want to call on just because I wasn't in the mood for a 30 minute dialog :) I also enjoy the concept of a student-centric approach. Always a good idea to keep in mind.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. I agree, being impartial is really hard as there will always be someone who just rubs you the wrong way or, as you said, you know whats comming and haven't the patience to deal with it. I hope with a little Taoist practice, I will be more patient.
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