Comics and the life lessons within them were literally and figuratively in the classroom with me throughout forty years of teaching and professional development until I retired in 2012, but In 2017, little has changed. I still enjoy comics in the form of movies and TV shows, and the lessons continue.
Today, during while watching the latest episode of Flash, in a single paragraph, the he put into words, something the every good teacher understands either intuitively, or as a result of great examples. It's been something I've been trying to do through 25 years in the classroom and 15 years of professional development. If said it in many different ways, but today, the Flash summed it up in a single, elegant paragraph that cuts to the heart of teaching and learning.
Flash and his protege, Kid Flash, were trying to work through problems in Kid Flash's training. Kid Flash had recently failed at an attempt to save someone, and lamented, "You're telling me everything that I need to learn. I'm just not getting it! I..."
Flash interrupted with, "No, that's not it. I've been letting you coast by on your own raw talent, which you have a lot of, but teaching is a lot more than just doing something and expecting you to follow. It's about inspiring you and empowering you to use your gifts to succeed on your own. That's what I need to do. That's what I'm going to do from now on, so that next time you are out there on your own, you will win."
What more needs to be said?
Love it, Art! As Margaret Riel said "our mission is to help our students become the best possible version of themselves" and there is no cookie-cutter approach to which can work to reach that goal.
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