Education is …

Broken.
I’ve had many lengthy conversations on this topic and usually, it’s quite a repetitive and unending process. The source of complaint often comes from an abundance of perspectives and I think regardless of which level of education it is, you’re talking about something that needs to fundamentally CHANGE.

Easier said than done, right? Oh definitely, but is change ever inherently easy? Doubt it. Everything I think I know about teaching is challenged on a daily basis. Every classroom experience is unique and no matter how prepared I am, I am always astounded by how much I learn while teaching. Let that sink in for a bit and yes I’m a 100% serious.

That’s really what this blog is about. It’s my little bubble of observations, experiences and thoughts on education and learning, my arduous but simply fascinating journey as a teacher and a student. Socrates put it very well: “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing”. I would not go so far as to call myself wise, but I do admit that the more knowledge I acquire, the less knowledgeable I feel. Haha!

You’re not supposed to be “ready” to teach. You can have a lesson plan, a curriculum, an activity, an experience, years of teaching under your belt but I think true teaching is becoming a student of your own method.

The goal shouldn’t be to develop a teaching MO and the reason I say that is because everyone learns differently. Teaching should not be a reflection of how you learn or how you think your students will be able to learn. Teaching is a pure reflection of “Did learning happen?” If you’re not perpetually asking yourself this question, you’re probably not teaching very well either.

Teaching is one of the most adaptive professions I have ever experienced. I like to think every student teaches you how to teach them and if you approach it with that perspective then your teaching MO becomes liquid, it becomes organic, it becomes moldable.

Teaching is like this cat. The teacher is the cat, the student is the bowl. And every student is a uniquely shaped bowl

I truly hope you enjoy reading this blog as much as I enjoy writing it, haha. So take a bold step into my messy and beautiful world and while you’re here, share your adventure with me too!

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Amina Khalique | Teacher & Quirkball Extraordinaire