Teacher-scholar relationships

Hunter started the day in UE2 by asking us to reflect, in writing, on what had been significant for us in our learning last summer, what had been significant during the academic year, and what our goals are for this week.  Here is what was radical:  Scholars sat at the tables with the teachers and did the same thing.  This was before anyone had been introduced to anyone else, except that Hunter had introduced himself.  After writing, we talked in our small groups, using our reflections as part of the material for introducing ourselves.  It was awesome.  The teachers said some stuff I was fascinated to hear (see SCREAM, below).  I went last, and I shared how transformative last summer had been for me in having the opportunity to observe and reflect on a rich learning environment for an extended time, with collaborators; and that I had spent the whole academic year poring over the video from last summer.  They burst out with "I remember you!  But now you're at the table with us!  It's so different!"  I loved it!  It was so spontaneous and direct.  I admitted that that had been strange, and shared that my goal for this year (which I had written!) is to interact with them more directly, to be a part of the class instead of pretending to be invisible, to have more of a relationship with them and be more a part of things instead of always separate.  It was such a relief.  We were laughing together about it.  They had a million questions.  It felt right.

It was very easy, as part of the ensuing large-group discussion, to have a similar transparency with the whole class -- to show them where the cameras are, explain why we wear headphones, describe what we're writing on our laptops and why, that kind of thing.  I feel like we gave them the opportunity to be understanding of us, to pitch in with us in our own learning, to be curious about what we do.  Krishna and Hunter and I were all offering our perspective on the research, and we probably talked too much; but it felt like a sort of "overgiving," if anything, which after last year is probably erring in the better direction.  If they shortly decide that they've heard enough from us already and want to get back to their own work, so much the better.