Trust In Teaching
I am currently enrolled in a postgraduate program for public policy and leadership and I am extremely disappointed in the experience. I have never been particularly good at engaging in school. But I had high hopes for the program I am in right now. I entered the program wanting to learn how to think in a new way. I wanted to learn how to make a difference. I wanted to learn not only how to have a voice but how to be heard. Instead I am being taught to be a midlevel follow the leader policy analyst. I am being taught to be just like everyone else, just like those who have come before me, another cookie cutter in a cubicle.
I respect the intellect of my teachers. I respect their credentials. I do not wish to question the usefulness of their fields or even their ability to teach. The problem is I don’t think they are teaching what I need to learn or what will be most useful to me in my future. It isn’t a question of quality, its a question of trust. I do not trust them not to waste my time. I do not trust them to teach me something worthwhile. Therefore I find it very hard to engage in learning. Without purpose or passion I do not feel the need to do anything other than squeak by. If I do not believe in what I am doing then I will put my energy in elsewhere.
When trust your teacher or anyone for that matter, it is based around their ability to deliver on what is promised. There are some people in this world who I will follow almost anywhere simply because they have yet to guide me wrong. There are some people who I trust to push me where I want to be pushed, to enlighten me, to inspire me. It is when in engaged in this sort of relationship, where trust, freedom and flexibility exist, that I begin to reach my potential and act with purpose. It is when I trust that I am moving in a direction that makes sense for me, that won’t end up being a waste of time for me, that I truly begin to create. When that trust is missing it cripples my ability to learn and be productive. Not to mention the negative effect on general morale that occurs in the absence of a teacher who is inspiring and can be trusted. I believe the most important thing a teacher can do is convince their students to engage in learning. And I believe that one of the most important components of inspiring engagement is building trust between the students and teacher.
I will likely revisit this topic as I further clarify my ideas.
