CMP Review 2024-12-03

December 3, 2024

What makes for a good teacher? Perhaps the teacher must be an expert, must be set apart, and perhaps should even have an honorific title like master or sir.

In a fascinating article from the PNEU Journal, educationist Joseph H. Allen said that something different was needful. Surprisingly, he said that the teacher must be humble. And how is that humility revealed? First, by never feeling too embarrassed to say, “I don’t know.”

And secondly, with astonishing insight, he said that the humble teacher is able to laugh at himself.

Are you feeling adequate or inadequate as a teacher? Do you teach in a school, a co-op, or your home? Whatever your situation, you will find something challenging and inspiring in Joseph Allen’s recalibration of values in his 20th century article “The Whole Teacher.” Find it here.

@artmiddlekauff