The February issue of the newsletter contains highlights from an amazing article—one written by a faculty member who describes himself as a “bad teacher.” The piece chronicles his transformation as a teacher. It’s one of the best articles I’ve read in a long while (and you know I read more than a few articles).
What I’d [...]
Blog » Philosophy of Teaching
All That Teaching Entails
Posted Thursday, January 7th, 2010 by Maryellen Weimer‘A Teaching Life’
Posted Friday, December 4th, 2009 by Maryellen WeimerOn a fairly regular basis, I reread what may well be my all time favorite essay on teaching—Christa L. Walck’s “A Teaching Life.” Walck’s essay draws heavily from one of my favorite books, Annie Dillard’s The Writing Life, in which Dillard describes how writing creates her life. Walck wonders if teaching does the same for [...]
This I Believe
Posted Thursday, November 5th, 2009 by Maryellen WeimerMore than half way through a course you don’t really you have time or the inclination to consider your teaching manifesto—that is, what you believe about teaching and how you realize those beliefs in your practice. But as the demands of the semester start to mount, it can be energizing to read what others believe, [...]
‘Pedagogy of Ironic Minimalism’
Posted Thursday, October 1st, 2009 by Maryellen WeimerThis fall marks Robert Nash’s 41st year in the classroom. When asked about retirement plans, he reports telling colleagues that he’ll go when they carry him out in a box and bury him on the main university green.
“So much of what I’ve learned about teaching in the academy over four decades can be summarized in [...]