Exit Slip: Frank McCourt

Frank McCourt has an ease about him that I think most people can find relaxing and welcoming. Not only is this a great environment to create in a classroom, but it's a beneficial attitude to approach a lot of learning and inquiry. McCourt seems incredibly comfortable in questioning himself, his knowledge, and the way he does things. He approaches teaching with an ease toward plans: with just following along with students when they hated the class books, the way he adapted assignments to encompass the students' existing creativity and imagination in excuse slips, and his own self-reflection on his timidity and ignorance in American classrooms. This flexibility and humility is such a precious thing and is something I hope to emulate. Teaching is about learning and learning is always about adapting. There is no one way to do a math problem, there is no one superior book, there is no one way to teach a lesson. Approaching lessons with a willingness to be flexible, a willingness to abandon your pride in your own work and throw out plans if they're not working out is what will allow you to be successful in teaching. I think this is an incredibly beneficial framework to approach inquiry, always keeping in mind that nothing is set and there is always something to learn from every corner of experience. This approach is really important to me, as I often fall back on regimented steps and in-flexibility when I am unsure or timid. I think keeping in mind this reminder to always "go with the flow" and open up your mind to learning even from students' 'misbehaving' will be an important one through my own inquiry.