Teaching and ego

[Argent'horn]

A few days ago, there was a discussion on Dar Kush concerning the dangers of the ego getting in the way of good teaching. It was suggested that teachers caught up in their own egos may hold back information to keep an edge of superiority over their students. I have been thinking about this for some time since.

I believe, both from personal experience and observing my colleagues, that the greatest danger posed by a teacher's ego is the opposite. The temptation to try and impress students with how much I know and how clever I am is always present. It can lead to my giving too much information for the students to process if I am not constantly vigilant. Sometimes I do better than other times, but I don't think I have ever tried to hold back information so that I would have an edge over my students.

Has anyone here ever had the opposite problem from mine in this context? I find it hard to imagine, but maybe it just happens to be a problem I do not face. The reverse, however, is a very real issue.

[marylahree]

While this has nothing to do with a public educational setting, yes, my father tended to be that way, to want to come across as superior in knowledge to his children, (as much as I love the man). And it was strange to me, given that he was into such works as those by Nathanial Brandon and Ayn Rand - psychology and philosophy. Also, given that he used to preach the value of education, which he did not necessarily equate with public schooling. He's mellowed about that with age. However, if he had taught as a profession he might have fit the ego (problem) you described. And I would say that his shared perspectives during my impressionable years had alot to do with why I became a high school drop out. (Ouch. I hope he never reads this bit of honesty about my thoughts on that topic.)

[Steven Barnes]

Teaching too much is just another way of teaching too little. Both withhold optimum growth, even if they look very different.