No failure in the Revolution

There are times in teaching when a spark is created, a moment when a student gets an insight and from that insight a whole new level of understanding emerges. I cherish those moments but unfortunately, those times have been rare. Much more common are the times like yesterday when the entire class seemed lost.

This was their midterm exam and as I walked around the room. I could tell something was amiss. Early on, they were doing a lot of thinking but not a lot of writing. About halfway through the 90 minute class, what I thought had been deep thinking revealed itself to be frustration- fidgeting,  sighing, pages turning and then turning again as students sought questions they could answer.

 In the last fifteen minutes I saw it and felt it--the resignation, the hopelessness, the fear.  Answer sheets that had more white space than writing. heads in hands, eyes staring into space with five more minutes remaining. Although I offer lots of homework and many quizzes, there is only one midterm and a final exam for this class and these students are seniors who need the class to graduate. I felt tendrils of frustration seeking entrance into my own mind and the temptation to start blaming them and defending myself against a tidal wave sense of failure.  Then I recalled my Charge- Teach What, Teach Who, Teach How.

 Last time, I shared with you, the Charge, I received concerning my personal Teaching Revolution. After deeper reflection I saw that the charge also contained the instructions for times like this. As I walked the room, I brought to my mind Who I was teaching and What lessons I ultimately wanted to impart. I could feel the tension in the room rising but in bringing to mind, my Revolutionary Charge, I retained my peace. I stilled myself and started listening to receive the How.

In the few minutes that it took to return to my office, I knew what to do. I immediately sent the entire class an email with an attachment of the test they had just taken. I told them that even though I had not yet graded their exams, I would be willing to offer them another opportunity. They now could take the same test at home using their books and notes. I would then average the Take Home version with the In Class version as their final midterm grade.  Since next week is Spring Break, they have two weeks to get this assignment done.

After I sent the email, I took a moment to notice how good I felt. This time, I was the one having sparks of insight. One insight was that it is possible to stay in peace in the midst of a perceived failure when you remember your Charge. The other insight was that remembering your Charge, all the time, in every day life, requires lots of practice. I understood that my How idea could be traced all the way back to a green smoothie or rather the practice of choosing a green smoothie or a salad or taking a walk. The practice of self-control over little things provided the foundation for the self-control over big things. In essence, Self control ultimately teaches peace control.


Of course, it is possible that I would have had this idea for the Take Home exam without focusing on peace or having an expectant faith in the Revolution. However, in comparing this situation with other similar situations I've faced, I don't think so. Something was very different about this. I believe the Revolution is working...one opportunity at a time.

Everyday, we all get opportunities to choose and every single choice can be practice for the Charge. What about you? What Charge have you been given and how are you practicing it today?  It can be as simple as choosing to drink a glass of water.