One of the best teachers I ever had was a theory professor in Cleveland during my master's degree.
I mean...
He was so good, it redefined my definition of what a teacher is.
He made teaching into an art form.
He explained complex concepts so clearly, that if you didn't understand, it could only be because you weren't paying attention...or just didn't want to learn the material.
I learned more in one semester of this class than I learned in my last three theory classes combined.
It wasn't because the workload was intense. It wasn't because we were pressured to always have the right answers at all costs. And it wasn't because we had a mountain of homework to do every night.
It was because the teaching was clear. So clear, that learning was actually...fun.
But when we talk about a good education, clarity isn't in the picture. We associate "good" schools with "demanding" schools. Schools that will pile on the work and the deadlines.
Teachers are then released from the responsibility of good teaching.
When a teacher can assign anything (absurd or not) and students are terrified of making a mistake, they'll get it done.
But if the results are below expectations, no one ever asks whether the teacher was doing a good job teaching the material. It's all on the student.
When we change the definition of good teaching from "rigorous" to "clear," the game changes.
Students can enjoy the process of learning.
Real education can happen.
And the potential opens up for children to finally love learning.
