Paradox in Teaching and Learning (Ch. 3)

One of the philosophers of 19th century has said that life is a paradox. We experience the pull of different forces always. We often go through the feeling of a need for the community at the same time solitude. We as social beings are created for relationship. I am very much amazed by the paradoxes presented by Palmer regarding the world of education which is filled with broken paradoxes-and with lifeless results: separation of head from heart; facts from feeling; theory from practice; and teaching from learning (Palmer, P. 66). I have gone through different paradoxes in my own life as a student. I remember the teacher who was so strict in my class. There was not a single glimpse of smile on his face ever in the class room. Everyone was frightened of him. He used to be so cruel that he used to give the corporal punishment to the students in the class when someone could not give the right answer. He was a teacher who had great head but small heart. He behaved as if he was the superman and others (students) were like guiniepigs. He never took into consideration the feelings of the students. Many were afraid to ask questions because he was not welcoming. Finding fault was his only desire. There was no discussion or any kind of group activity in the class. Learning was a hell.
For any good teaching and learning we need proper space which should be bounded and open; hospitable ad charged; invitation of the voice of the individual and the group; honoring “little” and “big” stories of the students; support of solitude and community and welcoming both silence and speech (Palmer, P. 74). I give another example of my great Guru (teacher) who made use of all these above mentioned points in the teaching-learning system. I tell you the fact not even a single student in the class was left out. Every one of us learned together, enjoying the companionship of each other. There was real feeling of deep relationship, connectedness among us all. The genuine community was established. We as teacher need to have open heart and mind in order to see the richness of our students and share our richness with them then only true grow of our students is possible. In order to transform our students, we need to transform ourselves first.