The Light

I think that a growing mind is like a light bulb. But not in the stereotypical sense. You know, the way most people would describe it--where you're just sitting in class, listening to the teacher talk and....SNAP, your "light bulb" goes on and you just magically know what the teacher's talking about. No way, I do not believe learning is like that kind of light bulb. 

To me, it's much more like those lights that flicker for a minute before they snap on. As a teacher, I see quick glimpses of light as a child learns. There are moments when I think, "Yes! She's got it!" or "Yep, he can do it!" and I'm thrilled--the light bulb is lit. But days later, I'm thinking "What happened?! They knew it two days ago and now, I have to reteach it!" and suddenly I'm not so sure. I convince myself that the light bulb burned out, or maybe I didn't know how to turn it on in the first place. 

However, on glorious days like today, I'm reminded that children's lights flicker first before they truly start to shine. Those moments of darkness, confusion, or uncertainty are only temporary. I shouldn't be discouraged or deterred just because I'm watching a student's light flicker on and off--that flicker precedes a brighter light--one that will never burn out.

One of my college professors told me that confusion is a good thing because it means that understanding is right around the corner. It makes sense, doesn't it? When I'm learning something new, something really difficult, I'm normally confused at the beginning--hence the "flickering." The dissonance, uncertainty, it means that I'm learning something completely new--and it's totally blowing my mind.

So on days like this, when the bulb's flickered for days but is now glowing steadily, I sit back and enjoy the light.