Hubris to Humility: Practical Rebellion is Born

When we are good at something, we have a certain level of hubris. I know mine, rears its ugly head at times. When we put in our 10,000 hours, we often carry the audacity and chutzpah, like a badge of honor. We whisper to ourselves, "I am now an expert." What does expertise mean? Competency, proficiency, readiness. But, for many, it becomes a certain level of finesse and mastery, that often leads to self-importance. A sense of completion that can leave one stale and stagnate. If one feels they have conquered the beast, they raise shield and sword, as if to say I am undefeated.

A reinvention need not occur. Simply, a recognition of this presumption, is all that is required, to break through the ostentation. A mirror, is only bad luck if it is broken. If held up to reflect our flaws and see our strengths, it is personal wizardry, causing a shift in perspective. There is no magic moment, where this transformation takes place. The false confidence and determination, slowly gets displaced by wisdom. This wisdom, the gravitas to reflect, on experience and welcome the tension of testing yourself, challenging yourself and saying, 'it’s my fault,' when things do not go according to plan.

For me personally, it means taking the imagery and confluence of allegory and prose and condensing them to a practical framework. Writing both, as myself, keeping the artistry of words alive but contained to a more allegorical blog. While creating a new, more matter-of-fact, nuts and bolts blog, to share the day to day trials and tribulations of teaching from the arena floor. Not every spectator is on their feet to praise, many are there to shout, “take them down.” But, with each successful swing of the blade, a doubtful voice is silenced.

Having the diagnostic skill to understand what’s wrong, can only come with a shrewd introspection. You must get in the scene, when you are observing with a long lens, you are eavesdropping, you feel distant and disconnected. It gets completely real, when you are surrounded by innovation and greatness. Then, you are in that moment, walking out into the arena, fearful of the ensuing havoc. You are now participating. Growth does not occur from observation, but rather from doing and critiquing. Reflecting and being honest, brutally honest with yourself.

Not standing, in the bustling crowd, cheering and observing, but firmly planting yourself, on the sturdy, well-traversed dirt, of the arena floor.  There have been many battles here, sword to sword, shield to shield. Some won, some lost, but always a campaign for betterment. Each, a crusade fought for the sole purpose of progress. Listening in a profile, close quarters position, rather than from a wide shot, means a shift in ownership.

What is private property in the morning on the way to work, becomes public property the moment the bell rings. You as a teacher, are always the host, never the guest. It is your responsibility as such, to create a certain ambiance, tone, for the 'space' where your guests feel comfortable and engaged. For a party is only as successful as its components: music, food, conversation. In a classroom: intention and obstacle. Engagement requires good writing, appropriate staging, performance and presence. In other words, a flexible and thoughtful plan.

This new blog- will be my venue for purposeful, practical rebellion. Less symbolism and more substance. Straightforward, specific strategies. I will leave my emblematic exposition to iteacher imother.

I have been reading many amazing blogs lately, each focused not only on purpose and relevance, but also practicality. The pragmatic, functional, workable frame of reference that, we as educators are searching for. This blog will be all about that, a minimalist journal of sensible, down-to-earth strategies, that work. The activities and lessons, I have used, repeatedly, tweaked and adapted year after year. But also, the crazy new ideas, I incorporate on the fly.

These are what I seek when I read the fantastic blogs of my PLN. You have all inspired me to ‘up my game.’

Thank you for inspiring me to displace some of my hubris and welcome a little more humility. Wisdom is acquired not merely by personal growth, but by interacting with and absorbing some creativity and mindfulness from others. My cup runneth over my friends.