Commenting on Eat Like a Bird, Poop Like an Elephant

When I went to the website, I couldn't resist clicking on this title 'Eat like a bird...".  This is the concept; birds eat a lot and elephants poop a lot.  This is equivalent to taking in a great amount of knowledge and sharing a great amount of knowledge.  In other words, don't keep the wealth of knowledge we gain to ourselves.

I was surprised, as a first year teacher, how many of my colleagues refused to share information that could make or break me.  I quickly learned the teachers who were resources and which ones were 'tight-lipped'.  I have never understood why some teachers keep great ideas to themselves.  I was so happy when something went well in my class, I sang it from the mountaintops.  I was overjoyed if a teacher reported that one of my ideas really helped them out.  Is this some character trait we are born with? It should be at the very heart of anyone who carries the title of teacher.

Another very interesting concept discussed in this article is the idea of self-teaching.  This explained that our 'generation' is one that relies on being taught and not discovering for ones' self.  I thought about this and I definitely prefer to be told.  However, when I 'suffer' through something, I end up learning so much more and I am in a far better position to teach others.

Case in point--when I studied for the ESL Praxis, I had not been exposed to any ESL course work.  I went to a short series of study sessions, studied on my own and figured it out.  I performed so well on the test, that I was invited to teach the study session.  I am able to teach the study session with confidence and many teachers have passed the ESL Praxis as a result.  I would never have been an effective instructor without the 'pain' of learning on my own.

There are many other examples like this in my life and I wonder why I prefer to be told when I learn so deeply when I do it myself.  I had never thought about this before.  However, I will take these thoughts along with me as I continue to pursue my career as a lifelong learner.   Perhaps, I will become a better learner as well as a better teacher despite the agony of having to do it myself.