A tribute to Dan Meyer.
I’ve had my run-ins before with Dan Meyer when we were young(er) and (more) foolish.* But I have to give the guy credit – he can really think, write and teach. Read How Do You Turn Something Interesting Into Something Challenging? – almost the perfect template for how a teacher should reflect on their own practice. Dan goes from spark of an idea to a video showing how he taught it in practice in the space of the post. Exemplary! 😀
Once you’ve checked out that post, you might want to try these as well:
- Scraping Away Layers Of My Own Skin
- The Blue Students
- You Have No Life
- How I Work: Coffee Shops
- Just stay hungry.
- Wherever You Can Find It (my absolute favourite post of his – just for the honesty)
On returning to subscribing to Dan’s blog I assumed he was still teaching full-time. He’s not. First he decided to enrol to study towards a PhD (What Just Happened?) and then deferred to go and work for Google (Going Corporate). Who wouldn’t?!
It serves to demonstrate, however, something of which I’m increasingly aware: it’s extremely difficult to sustain outstanding teaching over more than a few years. I think I’m correct in saying that Dan’s been teaching five years. I’ve been teaching six (at a lower standard) and it’s taking its toll.
Perhaps guaranteed sabbaticals after 5 years are in order? (combined with the MA in Teaching & Learning?)
* Perhaps we’re too much alike. I didn’t like Paul Lewis (@aerotwist) much when I first met him. Now we get on like… a warm house. :-p
Interesting. I didn’t know you didn’t like me when you first met me. My how things (don’t) change.
Not at all, Paul – I consider you a good friend now. There was that
alpha-geek jostling, if you remember? ;-)
‘It’s extremely difficult to sustain outstanding teaching over more than a few years’
That’s sticking with me!
Thanks for this post Doug as it’s introduced me to another teacher with ideas, vision and creativity.
Sticking with you in a good way or bad way? :-)
A good way. I’ve always held to the belief that when the day comes that I have lost my passion, drive, enthusiasm for teaching then I will leave the profession. I’ve been teaching 13 years and long may I have the opportunity to continue.