When it is possible for any of us to simply go and sit somewhere in the grass, and when it is such a delightful thing to do, to go and sit in the grass, whether by oneself or with others, then it is important to remember that anytime we think about teaching, or indeed, about any other activity — that we do it instead of sitting somewhere in the grass.

– Jesse Ball

Notes on My Dunce Cap by Jesse Ball @ Bookshop

Quotes

Any teaching that does not come accompanied with the tools to dispute it…what is it? A poison? Can we be so kind in our description?

So it becomes clear that everyone, however strong minded, weak minded, well traveled, poorly traveled. brilliant, shabby, etcetera, has a ways to go. And what is the way forward? In the classroom it is the conceit that we are together attempting to change what we know. We come together in order to change what we know and how we know it.

And so it is crucial not only to be able to empathize, but to learn a practice of empathy, of traveling about feeling what is felt in your vicinity. Will you fly a single flag? How sad — you may fly them all.

Especially, never let cynicism creep into your voice. Better to say nothing than to scornfully laugh, or deride some silly thought a student has advanced. Please do not under any circumstances attack the silly or the ridiculous. The silly and ridiculous are often the advance guard of the remarkable. There may be an army faintly coalescing beyond the hill, and your scornful laugh can render it to dust.

The syllabus describes a class that will never actually happen. It is the finger pointing to the hills.