While trying to be unobtrusive as I entered to observe a class, I heard the
teacher respond to the query of a somewhat confused and perplexed 9th
grade student; “I want to you to struggle with it first, this is high school.”
I quietly smiled to myself, understanding that the teacher was really saying, “If
I give you the answer, you will learn nothing but the answer.”
Learning is more than discovering the answer, it is building knowledge
and understanding. Ancient wisdom says: “Wisdom is the
principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy
getting get understanding.” Wisdom is the cognitive processing of experiences that
leads to the proper application of the lessons learned. In other words, knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a
fruit; wisdom is knowing not to use it in a smoothie.
It is tempting to provide the answer when someone is struggling with a
problem. Whether we are teaching students in a classroom, helping our children
with homework, or counseling someone in the office, it is important to allow
the person to struggle with the issue. Learning only takes place when we meet a
problem head-on and stubbornly wrestle until we understand the when, where, why, and how of the
solution.
We need to experience the harshness of a battle and the suffering of
defeat. The reality of life is that we do not always win. We WILL lose at some
point in time. It is unrealistic to expect that we can create win-win solutions
to all of life’s problems. In order to win, someone must lose, give up,
surrender, or relinquish ownership of something that is of personal value. It
is in the moment of defeat and loss that we learn some of the most valuable
lessons.
And what are those valuable lessons? I am not going to tell you. I want
you to struggle with it, or sit in the question. Besides, I really can’t give
you the answer. What you take away may be entirely different than what I will
learn. Learning is a shared human experience with uniquely different results.
The fact is that we are in this struggle together and need each other
for support, guidance, and counsel. In many ways we are God’s plan “A” for one
another and there is no plan “B”.
Stay connected my human friends...
Elton O. Brooke, Ed. D.
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