Mediating Between the Soul and Society

In this episode, we didn't just learn about teaching; we learned about life...well, sort of.

Shaun realizes that he once was a clown. He seems to believe that he is no longer one. Jon fancied himself a hero and clearly has given up on that self image. The two discuss other personas and think about student responses to those personas. They analyze popular teaching styles in a way that is less than flattering, as though some styles are more about inflating teacher egos than educating students. They are pretty hard on themselves, too. These guys are clearly trying to unburden their guilty consciences today.

After all of their reminiscing and confessing, they do hit upon an insight of sorts - that the teacher needs to mediate between the individual's desires and societal expectations - do teachers not already know that? Well, if they don't, then good job Jon and Shaun. You have illuminated the obvious. Before they get too far into exploring their "insight," Shaun quickly sees the danger of more paperwork and panics, but Jon, hero-like, saves his buddy by telling him that mindful people don't have to do paperwork. Maybe you are the hero Jon, just maybe.

Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart / CC BY-SA