Teachers are Boring

I hate to say it, but teachers are boring.  It suddenly hit me this month as I read various teaching websites, articles, and books.  The vast majority are filled with nonsensical jargon and nit-picking arguments that only teachers care about.  

Based on my many experiences as a student and as a fellow-teacher, I must say that the VAST MAJORITY of teachers are-- whatever their other faults--  boring and uninspiring.   They have no soul, no anima, no mojo.  In an essay, Tom Peters once gave his definition of the "perfect" manager.  He said that the best managers are the people who, when they walk in the room, immediately lift people's energy, enthusiasm, and motivation.  They might not have the best technical skills, or perfect management techniques... but they have to have that intangible human quality.

How many teachers have even a modicum of that quality?  Very very VERY few.  I think back on elementary school (1 had it), middle school (none), high school (1), undergrad (1), and grad school (1) and I'm amazed at the overwhelming mediocrity of spirit.  My gut impression of most teachers is that they are small people with small feelings, leading small lives. 

No wonder schools and societies go to such herculean efforts to build up the authority of the teacher.  That effort and propaganda is necessary-- because without it, the students would soon see through the windbags and abandon ship.

The utter lack of soul found in teachers is all the more obvious when one discovers awe inspiring students like one finds at Effortless English and The Linguist.  Now THESE are people who have that magic.  Five minutes into a Linguist discussion I'm stoked about learning languages.   The members immediately and dramatically lift my spirits because they are energetic, enthusiastic, motivated, inspiring, successful and alive (more or less the polar opposite of the average teacher).  They are interesting.  They have spirit and soul.

Steve Kaufman has that quality too.  One 30 minute chat with him is enough to energize me for a whole month of Spanish study.  Not surprisingly, Steve never refers to himself as a teacher.  First and foremost, he is an avid language learner.  He's a language learning maniac, in fact... and a little of that mania rubs off on you when you talk to him.

Which brings me to the point:  Teaching is dead.  The wise student will never place his/her trust in a teacher or a school.   That is a dead end road that ends in boredom, disappointment, humiliation, and failure. 

The wise student knows that the fast track to success lies with energized learning communities.   The motivated student seeks out enthusiastic peers, role models, coaches, and team members.  S/he bands together with interesting, energized, successful, and motivated people.  This smart student feeds off the energy and enthusiasm of the community and learns from their successful strategies. 

This new kind of student has seen through the lies and failures of traditional schools and teachers-- and no longer places trust in them.  This new kind of student takes full responsibility for his/her own learning.

These students-- independent, motivated, enthusiastic, and intelligent-- band together and create a community that is light years ahead of any traditional school on the planet. 

These students are the future.

Teachers are extinct.