One of my strengths is a teacher was a willingness to be uncertain…at the right times.
When a student asked “What about this?” or “Why not do it that way?” I didn’t need my way to be the only way or the right way. Kids appreciated that, I think.
Uncertainty doesn’t indicate weakness. In fact, it’s the other way around. When you’re confident, it’s a lot easier to explore alternatives. Whenever someone claims there’s only one narrow way to look at something and refuses to consider options, I suspect they might be afraid the options will lead them somewhere that reveals a lack of authentic understanding.
I wish I could demonstrate this attitude in other areas of my life.
I’d like to claim that when someone expresses an opinion with which I don’t agree or an idea I don’t like, I don’t ever think “That’s really stupid.” And worse, that my face never reveals my dismissive internal judgement.
I wouldn’t have done that in my classroom. I do it far too often in other areas of my life.
If you’re wondering why I treated students differently, why I (and maybe you?) have a hard time with uncertainty – maybe with the people we care for the most – I think it’s about lack of confidence and fear of exposure that drives us to judge.
2000 years ago, Jesus told some people on a hillside to avoid this kind of judgmental attitude. He knew it would be toxic to relationships.
Some things don’t change.