I’m reading Ross Gay’s sequel to The Book of Delights…The Book of More Delights. Yes, lately I am almost perpetually reading or re-reading Ross Gay. It’s not a bad life strategy. But as usual, I’m inspired to list my own delights so here are a few I’ve encountered recently for your Friday reading pleasure.
Loved this. Those beginning of semester expectations when everything is possibility, the peaks when we see someone get it, the valley when we hit the mid-way mark and it turned out this wasn't the semester when somehow we became the teacher that motivated every student to excel, and for me the waves of affection I felt for everyone of them as they toiled over their final exams, no matter how they or I did, because here we all were, survivors.
Definitely the longer I teach, the most I try to lean into the waves of affection. Twenty-five years is a long time but I can keep doing it as long as I can stick to my main motivation, which is do no harm. Maybe some class or professor will break one of these kids, but I do not want it to be me. I don't care if it sounds cheesy, I'd like to lead with love in my teaching.
"The apocalypse that is higher education..." That certainly seems to be the case from everything I see and here related to higher education. It seems to have been so much easier when I went to university.
I can't say if it was all easier or different, Sandra. But there's this lovely essay by Ross Gay in Inciting Joy about the nature of the university, which has always been oppressive to some of us. And what do you do with that history? He uses the metaphor of bees making honey in the dark. Inside a collapsing, derelict building (the university system), we can still find a way to make honey. I'm not doing the essay justice, but it's how I increasingly think about what I do.
My parents have several peanut plants all over their yard from forgetful squirrels!
That's a bonus I hadn't thought of. I've never tried to grow a peanut plant, but maybe I don't have to.
Loved this. Those beginning of semester expectations when everything is possibility, the peaks when we see someone get it, the valley when we hit the mid-way mark and it turned out this wasn't the semester when somehow we became the teacher that motivated every student to excel, and for me the waves of affection I felt for everyone of them as they toiled over their final exams, no matter how they or I did, because here we all were, survivors.
Definitely the longer I teach, the most I try to lean into the waves of affection. Twenty-five years is a long time but I can keep doing it as long as I can stick to my main motivation, which is do no harm. Maybe some class or professor will break one of these kids, but I do not want it to be me. I don't care if it sounds cheesy, I'd like to lead with love in my teaching.
Great post. Love those lightning bulb moments in teaching. Do not ask about the peanuts!
Thanks, Barb. I will sit with the mystery, though there's a chance Charlie will tell me, anyway.
"The apocalypse that is higher education..." That certainly seems to be the case from everything I see and here related to higher education. It seems to have been so much easier when I went to university.
I can't say if it was all easier or different, Sandra. But there's this lovely essay by Ross Gay in Inciting Joy about the nature of the university, which has always been oppressive to some of us. And what do you do with that history? He uses the metaphor of bees making honey in the dark. Inside a collapsing, derelict building (the university system), we can still find a way to make honey. I'm not doing the essay justice, but it's how I increasingly think about what I do.
I love that.
I too have a Ross Gay book at my bedside, courtesy of Jane. It is so satisfying to look around and notice all the delights.
You are one of the biggest delights! XOXO