Teaching is like playing catch

Teaching, I just realized, is like playing catch. 

As a teacher, I often catch myself struggling with a sense of over-responsibility.  If the student came unprepared (didn't know the notes, the hand position, the rhythm, or the music just didn't flow) there must have been something I didn't do right.  I work hard to plan lessons that cover every hole, every gap in understanding.

But I am a human being too - I miss things.  As hard as I might try, I can't see into my student's mind and see what he sees or understands. 

Sometimes the greatest thing I can do for my student is to stop doing for my student.  To stop covering all those gaps.  But usually then I feel like I am doing nothing to help.  It feels a little like I have stopped working hard for those results - learning.

Teaching is like playing catch.  In order to have success in learning, the student and teacher have to be present - physically, mentally, prepared.  Both have to be in tune.  Both have to be on time. 

If one (teacher or student) is doing all the work, taking all responsibility for the "ball" (learning), then the other (teacher or student) disengages, loses interest, loses a job and a role.  For successful learning, a teacher needs to have good boundaries - a clear sense of what is her responsibility, and what is the student's.  And students learn what their responsibilities are from the teacher.  If the teacher takes over whenever the student doesn't practice, the student learns that it is unnecessary to practice. 

One memory I have of growing up is how unprepared I often was for school.  I would forget to put all of my books in the same place each day, or forget an assignment, or skip over the tricky things in order to get finished with my homework as soon as possible.  My mom, on the other hand, was an extremely prepared and organized person.  I knew that whether I left my books scattered on the living room table, or by my shoes, they would be neatly sitting in my backpack the next morning for me to see.

By taking responsibility for me, my mom saved me from feeling the pain of my lack of responsibility from others.  Later on, I had to pay for the lack of good habits of preparation and forethought (well, I am still paying for them, honestly :) and I had to learn better habits.

Playing catch means that the student gains a sense of responsibility from the mistakes they make.  The teacher offers clear feedback and tosses the ball again.  The student gains an opportunity to try again and see whether learning is happening or not.