Educational Arson

Note: I'm really struggling lately with how I fit into my current position, so I'm visiting and revisiting my core beliefs in preparation for what I think will be a Transition-with-a-capital-T. So many of these pieces have been sitting as drafts in Blogger or on legal pads, but I need them out of my head and into the world where I can think about them...more out loud, maybe? This though, this I need you to know about me. This is the basis. This will explain it all:

This is my philosophy of education.

My job as a teacher is to light you on fire. To excite you. To let some ember of what I've mentioned, even in passing, catch hold and grow into a wild, all-consuming conflagration. I deal in passion.

And I want to watch you burn. I want to see what you'll do with that spark. Don't let me tell you what to do with it - that's up to you. Let it smolder. Let the wind from somewhere else whip it up. You're the kindling.

Don't you dare try to control it. Stoke the flames. Let them burn you down; use you up. Ignite others on the way. Warm others with your heat. Provide light in the darkness. Suck all the oxygen out of a room when you enter and make others tremble in delight, in fear, in absolute awe.

Fire ravages. Whatever is in its path becomes a part of it. Once I've set you ablaze, take what's around you. Make it part of you. Use it. Create with it. If it doesn't fit, tear it down. Fire can't exist on its own. Keep feeding it. Tend it. It can be a small glow, a wisp of smoke - just please, please don't let it go out. Add some fuel. Keep it burning.

This isn't "filling of a bucket vs. lighting of a fire." This is Bukowski - "find what you love and let it kill you." I have to teach. I have to share. That is what devours me. I can't hold it back and would never want to try.

Worn on my arm for all to see and to remind me when I forget...

I need to light you on fire.

And watch you burn.

Burn.

Burn.

This is my philosophy of education.

Comments

Hands on top...*

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