Teacher as Trickster

One of my favorite recent episodes from the podcast. So often teachers and leaders feel the onus of being exemplary. They see their role, even and maybe especially in progressive education, as embodying the values or philosophy they share--and there is a lot of value to this way of thinking.

But there's a limit to how much staid, confident advice anyone can handle. Let's change it up. Give me a teacher who prods and pushes, who makes me laugh, who points out the absurdity of life. In story, I am thinking of Coyote or Loki or that medieval trickster, Reynard the Fox. Lies that lead to truth that lead to lies. Paradox, uncertainty, discomfort. These are areas where we make big leaps, not small pedagogical steps.

Take a listen. Enjoy.

​Or not.

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