Exponential times

We live in exponential times. Change is rapid and events often take us all by surprise. Social, economic, environmental and political challenges roll across our screens every day. Now, more than ever, we need good education to negotiate our way through the turbulence of our times. There is a distinct separation forming between those who are teachers and those who aspire to be educators. Anyone can be a teacher, and indeed, whether they know it or not, just about everyone does do some teaching during an average week, usually on a very informal basis. Although we all teach, not everyone can be an educator. Educators are a breed apart, and although the professional title of 'teacher' is sustained in schools, it is often the educators that make all the difference. Not everyone can see the difference between teachers and educators, and many tend to think they are synonymous as this online discussion forum demonstrates. But there are distinct differences, and it is essentially the attitude of the individual that is at the heart of the question. I read an excellent blog recently which brings the differences into sharp focus:

Ashley Tan's blog Another dot in the Blogosphere? features an excellent exposition of the differences between educators and teachers, and I really believe it needs a wider audience. So here, on this blog, is a summary:

A teacher teaches; an educator reaches.

A teacher typically focuses on curriculum and assessment. An educator focuses on development and evaluation.

In the curricular race, a teacher perspires. In the journey of lifelong learning, an educator inspires. (An educator goes the extra mile.)

A teacher works with content. An educator deals with people.

Teaching is a job. Educating is a calling.

Some teachers do this to earn. Educators do this to learn (about themselves, their learners, better ways to inspire, etc).

A teacher might network locally. An educator is connected globally (and thinks and acts that way too).

The world needs individuals who will go the extra mile. This is what true educators do. They reach out to our young people, and they make a difference. It's not simply a job for them, and no amount of money would recompense them for all their commitment and overtime spent engaging their students, preparing, marking, planning and studying. As a teaching profession, we all need to work more with people than we do with content. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy stated that 'a child miseducated, is a child lost'. During my lifetime I have encountered many individuals who were miseducated, and took the wrong pathway in life. We need to be so careful how we execute our roles as learning professionals, because the future of an entire generation is in our hands. Any poor decisions we make can influence our students badly, but conversely, any good decisions we make can inspire that same generation to succeed, to burn brightly, and be a real force for good in this world. What an opportunity we have, but what a frightening prospect, if we get it wrong.  Yes, we live in exponential times, with change and uncertainty all around, but I have met some incredible educators in the last few years that give me a lot of hope for the future. They are more connected that any previous generation of educators, and they are more passionate. They will be the ones who make a difference to young lives. I believe that one day we'll look back on this period of time and say 'that was an extraordinary generation of educators.'

Photo by Anders Hoff


Exponential times by Steve Wheeler is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at steve-wheeler.blogspot.com.