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| Both of my parents were teachers. My father, who passed away when I was five, taught high school math, while my mother taught for 12 years in the Cincinnati school system before stepping away to raise me. Although I never saw either of them in the classroom, my mother often shared insights and lessons from her teaching experiences, shaping my perspective on education.
I can still hear her sayings: “The best teachers are good thieves” and “Teachers are born, not made.” While I disagree with her latter claim, there’s some truth to the first. As a teacher, I’m constantly on the lookout for effective strategies to “borrow” and adapt for my own practice. This spirit of adopting and sharing good ideas inspired our “Caught in the Act” column. The best way to “steal” ideas is to observe them in action, which brings me to the revival of the “Open Doors” program. Open Doors, once a hallmark at Denison with versions led by both Frank and Jeff (previous CfLT directors for those of you who are newer here), created opportunities for faculty to observe and learn from each other. Like many initiatives, it faltered during the pandemic. However, through our recent center review process, its value became clear. I’m thrilled that Julie Dalke is revitalizing this important element of Denison’s teaching culture. Timeline: We often talk about cultivating a community of educators who learn from one another. Programs like Open Doors make that aspiration tangible by fostering collaboration and encouraging us to reflect on our own teaching and to borrow- and build on- the best practices we see. |