EMD613 Week 2 Comment on GLStrom blog posting

The ability to give seems such a rewarding experience that you would imagine being done by everyone on a daily basis. After all, we all appreciate receiving, but of course that doesn't occur without giving on the other end. As enjoyable an experience as it can be, it is not something all of us do consistently. In chapter three of The Art of Possibility the authors reflect on this practice by suggesting that we give A's so people have the room to realize themselves. I must admit that to me the most valuable thing we have to give is our time, and I feel people generally appreciate this. I never placed much emphasis on giving grades for the theater and photography I taught because it is quite impossible to put a letter or number on artistic expression. What is measured is the caring, time, improvement, ability and finally presentation of final work. They shared their gift with me as I did them, and the anxiety of taking chances and competing with others was minimized. Another important part of education is giving students the ability to overcome fears and believe in themselves and their abilities. When I consider where these fears come from I come back to the fact that what people worry about is not measuring up,about making mistakes and ultimately, about being judged. One of the greatest compliments a student ever shared with me was her love of my class because it was the one time a day where she didn't feel judged. In sports, classes, lunch, at home and at work she felt like she always had to perform to measure up lest she fail. She admits to always being anxious because that wasn't really her, and in my class the mask came off and she was able to be herself. Eight years later she let me know how much that meant to her and how she will never forget how it felt. She gave me one of the reward of teaching we all hear about and hope for, and while can never spend are priceless.