On the Indispensible Qualities of Progressive Teachers for Their Better Performance
I actually enjoyed reading Freire’s “Fourth Letter.” In this letter, he describes 8 qualities that progressive teachers should “acquire gradually through practice.” I like how he makes that point clear in that these qualities take time to develop and should not be looked for immediatley. He begins with the quality of humility, which I found interesting. I knew what humility meant, however never thought of it actually assisting me with my educational career. I like his quote “No one knows it all; no one is ignorant of something. Without humility, one can hardly listen with respect to those one judges to be too far below one’s own level of competence.” (Freire, p.72) I think that through humiliation, one is able to see multiple perspectives, thus opens a door to learn from others and teach what has been learned. Freire goes on to talk about the quality of lovingness…for the process of teaching, as well as for the students. I do love my job…and I think I am very lucky to have a job I really do love do get up and go to (most days) ;0). I sometimes joke with friends that I feel like a kid in a candy store everytime I walk into a teacher suply store…I know I’m a dork. :0) I feel that it is important to learn new processes and carry a suitcase of ideas to pull out when needed. It is also important to want to learn new processes. He goes from there to discuss courage…he states that one cannot have courage without having fear, but one must not let fear immobolize ones self. It is so imporatnt to take risks with the way you teach in the classroom. Change is uncomfortable at times, but you learn from it…you grow from it…you evolve through it. He goes on to discuss tolerance, decisiveness, security, patience and impatience, and the joy of living. As he discussed decisiveness, I thought I have a long way to go before I master that virtue…yes I am that girl who buys 2 and 3 colors of the same shirt because I can’t decide which color I like best…but I liked what he said…”Indecision reveals a lack in confidence.” I wrote a little note in my book that sometimes our (our my) indecisiveness stems from not being sure of one-self or what is going to happen as a result…but, that is when we need to have the courage to conquer that fear and take a risk. As I read the section on security, I thought about us as researchers and how we are learning to be secure in our own beliefs and have research to back up the conversations we may have. I liked how he stated that one cannot be too patient, but one cannot be too impatient either. I like the whole idea of “impatient patience.” I may possibly use that in future converstions. I love the school he painted a picture of on p. 83. I also love how he encourages teachers to take a stand and fight for freedom in teaching. I think every teacher should read this letter…it is truely inspiring.
