Wednesday, March 12, 2014

The steady advance of veterans...

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow, some more and some more and some more....

While many are snow-weary and snow-spent, I'm just one pull away from firing up my turbo-charged, XLT-Hubba-Hubba SnowThrower Deluxe™.  Bring it, Winter. 
With this recent blast, I've been granted another respite from the academic rigors of high school. Snow Day #8.  

In addition to grading some papers, I began reading Dr. Gregory's book, The Seven Laws of Teaching. When I discovered this literary nugget, I knew I had blog fodder. 


"Unreflecting superintendents and school boards often prefer enthusiastic teachers to those who are simply well educated or experienced. They believe, not without reason, that enthusiasm will accomplish more with inadequate learning and little skill than the best-trained and erudite teacher wholly lacking in zeal.  But why choose either the ignorant enthusiast or the educated sluggard?  Enthusiasm is not confined to the unskilled and the ignorant, nor are all calm, cool men idlers.  There is an enthusiasm born of skill – a joy in doing what one can do well – that is far more effective, where art is involved, than the enthusiasm born in vivid feeling.  The steady advance of veterans is more powerful than the mad rush of raw recruits.  The world’s best work, in the schools as in the shops, is done by the calm, steady, and persistent efforts of skilled workmen who know how to keep their tools sharp, and to make every effort reach its mark."   
-Dr. John Milton Gregory, The Seven Laws of Teaching published in 1884.

Oh, this is going to be a good day and an even better read.

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