More Things in Heaven and Earth
The Only Jew in a Catholic School: Epiphanic Teaching
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But how does any teacher know if there is a relationship between teaching and the acquisition of knowledge? The answer to this question is most certainly subjective, in the sense of black and white, true or false. There are other gauges of course, but ultimately, the teacher must rely on her own sense of what constitutes good teaching. Now, this is not usually reflective of (or attributable to) what mood the teacher is in. Serving as a role model of someone who loves learning and acquiring knowledge is difficult to do unless these qualities are genuine. This is the partial solution to the observation Shaw notes and poses. If a person does not value learning for its own sake, that person may well develop into a competent instructor, but never a really good teacher. In fact, it’s now time to consider teaching as an act of faith.
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About the Book
Teaching is not an activity that necessarily causes learning. Nor is learning always the result of having been taught by someone or something. So, what is teaching—and more specifically—what is good teaching? Philogia Prima draws on her experiences as a teacher to answer those questions—while also sharing her observations about academics as the only Jew in a Catholic high school. She explains that teaching is not always a means of communicating knowledge about something or someone external to either teacher or students. But having the confidence to function as a teacher should be the product of a teacher’s knowledge and belief—call it faith—in the value of whatever is being taught. If a teacher is neither knowledgeable nor aware of what is lacking, confidence is not there, and students can sense its absence. Moreover, if a teacher never says, “I don’t know,” he or she is doing students a disservice. Students need to be reminded that learning is a process that sometimes emanates from, but just as often, includes the teacher. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, administrator or someone else trying to help students learn, you’ll find valuable insights in More Things in Heaven and Earth.
About the Author
Philogia Prima is the only Jew in a Catholic high school. As such, her experiences and observations are unique. Philogia currently lives in Salem, Massachusetts.