Week 5

     The hardest part of teaching is not the long hours, the lack of respect, nor even the content knowledge. The hardest part is to keep the interest and motivation of students for a 180 days. You can keep them interested for a few days, or even a few weeks if the content is interesting enough, but how to keep them motivated for months and months? This aspect of teaching is what Palmer is speaking to when he talks about the "weaving" of the teacher, student and the subject into one flowing essence of learning.
   
     I don't have personal experience in weaving a cloth, but I can imagine that it is a delicate process which requires patience and flexibility. Teaching is quite similar to this. Working with students well and keeping them motivated requires a lot of patience and flexibility. There will be times when student try your last nerve and give you attitude. There will be times when they will simply not "get it" no matter how well you think you taught them. These are the time when patience is needed where you remind yourself that learning is a long and arduous process.

     Teachers also need flexibility in working with students. There has to be an understanding that each student is different and how to work with them has to adjust to the student. Some students need a firm hand to keep them in line, but some require a gentle touch to do the same. Many times, they will come into class with issues that a teacher will never know, yet their behavior will be affected by it. A successful teachers are ones that can navigate between the various personalities of students and keep them all moving in the same direction.

    Like weaving, teaching is a delicate balance between science and art.