I had the opportunity to visit my mother's classroom today. And though I have been paying particular attention to whimsical encounters, I found probably one of the most important elements of a successful teacher that I have had yet to articulate clearly. I go back and forth with my teaching philosophy because I think at the current state in education I have a lot of inner-turmoil in what I am doing versus what I want to be doing more of. I have been told that this occurs constantly within the span of one's career. Which is a little disheartening knowing that my turmoil will most likely span a lifetime. 

Regardless, what became apparent to me in spending 10 minutes in her classroom was this idea of creating an environment where students are never "shushed." Allowed to giggle continuously and sporadically. It was very clear that personalities are allowed to shine through, children are allowed to talk and ask as many questions as possible. And I think this takes talent for a teacher to orchestrate and organize a group of children in such a way that their light is not extinguished. Because I think part of the reason why teachers view their students so negatively and complain so often is because their students are intelligent. They are intelligent and they know when their light is being blown out on purpose. 

Think of a birthday cake with candles in a dark room and all of a sudden every single candle immedietely goes out without a birthday song or a wish from the birthday individual. When you think of this image I think the whimsy in finding balance between individual sparks and a forward motion becomes more important. It becomes silly to think of singing in a room of darkness. You cannot even see the icing or the decorations on the cake. It seems silly.

But I know there are many classrooms where this light is being blown out. It's being blown out because teachers are receiving this constant pressure to make sure all of their students are held to high standards and are learning at every minute of every day and are meeting the standards, excellent beyond their limits. But I think in many ways learning does not occur when those basic needs are not being met. And the case of the birthday cake, the lights have to sparkle, the song has to be glorious, the cha cha cha should be resounding and we should appreciate the individuals candles holding the individual personalities of every students we come in contact with. 

There is no power struggle on a birthday cake. It is meant to be harmonious. To exist for everyone. To remain a celebratory symbol. To celebrate life. Personality. Ideas. Thoughts. How else are we to learn if we do not ask questions. How else are we to make our wishes if no flames exist?

Teaching is not meant to be a power struggle. And this goes for any whimsical relationship in life. We are meant to turn on the light of another-not blow it out. Real progress only exists when everyone's candle is allowed to burn for as long as it needs. And until today I have always felt a bit guilty internally realizing that maybe I allow my own children to chat a bit too much in the classroom. But I think Happy Birthday should be sung to our souls everyday. Don't you?