Listening to Frank McCourt talk, I was struck by how authentic and honest he is in everything he does. I think this kind of authenticity and honesty is necessary for creating a culture of inquiry in both my classroom and my own journey becoming a teacher. Inquiry is about curiosity -- about asking questions and pursuing knowledge. In order to foster a culture of inquiry, it seems necessary to be honest about what you know, what you don't know, and where you're coming from.
Watching the videos, it seemed that McCourt's authenticity and honesty towards his students was an equalizing force. Rather than enforcing a traditional power dynamic where he was the teacher with all the answers and his students were waiting to receive them, his classroom seemed like a democratic space. Through sharing his own experiences and respecting his students experiences, his classroom had a culture where he and the students shaped their educational journey together. He found areas where his students demonstrated creativity and curiosity, and guided the class in that direction -- inspiring his students and giving them agency over their own education.
Listening to McCourt speak, it's clear he has spent a lot of time reflecting and inquiring into his own journey becoming and growing as a teacher. In this way he both learned from his mistakes and became more sure of himself in the areas where his teaching was effective. It is clear that this reflection and inquiry into his own teaching made him a better teacher, and I intend to take a leaf out of his book.
Watching the videos, it seemed that McCourt's authenticity and honesty towards his students was an equalizing force. Rather than enforcing a traditional power dynamic where he was the teacher with all the answers and his students were waiting to receive them, his classroom seemed like a democratic space. Through sharing his own experiences and respecting his students experiences, his classroom had a culture where he and the students shaped their educational journey together. He found areas where his students demonstrated creativity and curiosity, and guided the class in that direction -- inspiring his students and giving them agency over their own education.
Listening to McCourt speak, it's clear he has spent a lot of time reflecting and inquiring into his own journey becoming and growing as a teacher. In this way he both learned from his mistakes and became more sure of himself in the areas where his teaching was effective. It is clear that this reflection and inquiry into his own teaching made him a better teacher, and I intend to take a leaf out of his book.
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