10 Comments
User's avatar
Kurt Wootton's avatar

This comment certainly deserves more than to be relegated to your footnotes. Love it! "The best compliment I ever received about my classroom, It feels like a big hug from you."

Nate Smalley's avatar

Such a beautiful and needed offering. And that Donella Meadows quote made me swoon. :)

Ellen Jo Ljung's avatar

I, too, had a more boisterous classroom. I also tried to create a safe space for all learners. But I never had the wisdom to think through and research so thoroughly the foundations for what I did. I love reading the way you share your thinking and decision-making!

Robyn Ryle's avatar

Love this, Adrian. First, when another professor walks by my often noisy classroom and raises and eyebrow, I know I'm doing something right.

Second, yes, teaching is innately human. It is what we do all the time. We are always teaching each other. It's one of the best things about us. How do we lose sight of the generosity and beauty of that simple action in our educational institutions? How do we, in fact, create institutions that seem designed exactly to stifle and pervert that simple act?

Adrian Neibauer's avatar

Thank you! I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one with a noisy classroom! I completely agree with everything you say. I ask myself those questions many, many times per week. My goal for my last decade of teaching is to loudly ask those questions more frequently.

Robyn Ryle's avatar

That is a good goal, Adrian. Also sad for your students that it’s your last decade of teaching, but I get it. Looking at my last half-decade. Sad, but also ready to move on.

Anne Sulsky's avatar

Adrian, again and again, I admire your ability to write in such a measured way. You so clealry lay out the value of your approach while also articulate when/how things fall short. You're neither a savior nor a martyr. You're a good teacher trying to best by your students.

Adrian Neibauer's avatar

Thank you Anne for these very kind words!

Adam's avatar

I enjoyed the careful reflection that helped name and describe your teaching style. There are so many things I read and nodded my head with--with your pop culture classroom decorations, your view of authority, and so on. Thank you for sharing!

Adrian Neibauer's avatar

Thanks Adam! I’m glad to hear that this resonated with you.