Teachable Moments

In a “very special Oprah” this afternoon, a chunk of the guests were the spouses of reporters sent to cover the war. One of the spouses, a middle aged woman, casually mentioned something about some event or another being a “teachable moment.”

How did the education come to this? What the hell is a “teachable moment?” Must we reduce the richness and passion of human existence down into moments that are “teachable” and moments that are not.

I think that perhaps, along with the golfers, the teachers should be exiled to Australia as well.

This creates a problem, though, because my mother, my mother-in-law, Catherine’s aunt and cousin, and many others I know are teachers or former teachers (perhaps the former teachers could be spared exile?)

Note to Oliver in the future: if you are ever faced with a teacher who uses the phrase “teachable moment” to you, you are hereby permitted to stand up and walk out of class and call me. We will immediately fly to Peru. I don’t believe there are any teachable moments in Peru.

Comments

Wayne's picture
Wayne on March 28, 2003 - 12:12 Permalink

The Liberals made the same mistake as you, Peter. And, they still haven’t put it behind them. Golfers, teachers, and golf teachers all curse your moustache! (If I remember right, you don’t have one)

Rob Paterson's picture
Rob Paterson on March 28, 2003 - 13:32 Permalink

No wonder most boys hate school. Will you send Oliver off there ot think of an alternative Peter?

Peter Rukavina's picture
Peter Rukavina on March 28, 2003 - 17:18 Permalink

Rob, if I had an answer to that, I would sleep much easier at night.

Ann's picture
Ann on March 28, 2003 - 18:38 Permalink

Maybe we were just very lucky, but many of the teachers my daughter had were fantastic people and I am very, very grateful she had the benefit of their intelligence and their support. Sure, there are a few I might have liked to send off on that boat…but if that boat included the extraordinary Christine Ness or the gracious Madame MacKay-Carr of the inspring Mr.Houlton (just to name a very few), this province would be a much poorer place.