The role of the instructor has morphed over the years. When I was a student...the teacher was the sage on the stage...In my educational training, however, I learned that role was diminishing...Instead, I was exposed to the advantages and importance of being the guide on the side. Constructivism was on the march. As an early career educator, I depended greatly upon the teacher's editions and the advice of those who wrote textbooks, for I, too, had been indoctrinated with that vision...Now I am creating lessons based on constantly changing reality and real-time streaming information from a myriad of sources. No longer are my students depending on one text as the foundation...text is now supplemental...
Once I was a coordinator, now I am more of a team builder. Many times I have hailed the benefits of a benevolent dictatorship. No more. Now I train each of my future teachers to assume the role of a knowledge navigator, a person keenly aware of the processes needed to find legitimate information. I challenge them to carefully discern that which is truth from fantasy; to research the nuances of their practice, to align and practice their craft with coveted values and beliefs, in short, to understand that learning is a life-long endeavor.
Once, words spoken by the teacher were taken as authoritative. Today, to some degree, and in some circumstances that is still true. However, today I must realize that I am one single member of each student's community. I am but one voice. It is my challenge to make what I have to say relevant...to make the knowledge I have to share important to the students' understandings of their craft...It is my goal to not only be heard...but to be understood.
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