Joy in Teaching: Deeper Than Smiles

 Yooooooooooo,

Y’all know me by now and if you don’t maaaaaaan do yourself a kindness and get familiar! 

In all seriousness I wanted to take the time and discuss the rethinking schools article titled “Teaching for Joy”. It is Volume 36, No 4 published in the summer of 2022. Now that the formalities and housekeeping have been attended to. Let’s dig into this masterpiece of a publication.   

Yes, enjoying this issue or rethinking schools made me smile as much as Dave when he realized he pretty much owned an entire town. The issue is packed with articles that have common themes of Reality and Joy. Themes that to my understanding seldom are associated with education or teaching. I took a long pause after reading the first paragraphs of the article Recommitting to the Joyful Classroom. The pause was cemented in wonderment. I wondered if I agreed with, or understood why anyone would urge teachers to be defiant and teach children in a defiant nature. Sooooooo, after consuming the first two paragraphs of this piece my brain is nearly at its capacity, but I am intrigued and I want to know more!

Then it happens the light bulb goes off and not just glowing but beaming like Batman’s symbol in the night Gotham sky. Our students, we as parents, stewards, educators, have been in shared pain and despair. Largely because of what and how we are educated. Some would say not educated. Partly because of the gravity and darkness of events we experience in our homes, communities, states, and country that goes unspoken in many respects. Unless their recognition benefits systems of oppression and capitalism. 

It was now I asked myself two questions: is joy reality and two can one receive joy through reality? Starting to gain some clarity on the direction of the piece. I began to feel peace and comfort, in the fact that it was evident the call was for our educators to teach the realities many face. Instead of a curriculum whose purpose is only in keeping them docile and void of hope. Defiance is teaching realities as severe and harsh as they may be through creative expression, community and healing. Teaching in defiance accomplishes two goals. Improving written, and communication skills while bringing joy to the students, teachers, and communities which they are connected to. My questions now answered: Joy is rooted in unpacking the realities of one’s world. Through that unpacking, Joy is a direct product.