The teacher’s gaze

As I continue to process Linda Costanzo’s 2019 essay on teachers’ journeys of transformation (see previous post), I’ve been thinking lately about the following paragraph:

…On the other hand, teachers with only modest skills can transform. There is the teacher who is adequate, but not technically gifted. Clear spoken, but not eloquent. He is corny and clumsy and, knowing his own limitations better than anyone, preemptively self-effacing. But none of this matters, because the students know he is with them. The students are content “not” to be entertained or spellbound, content to be instructed solidly in good faith. It is a wonder to behold: an average plodder of a teacher holding a class in his hands.

While “an average plodder of a teacher” could be taken as disparaging, I don’t think Costanzo means it that way at all. I think she genuinely admires these individuals, for they are fully committed to their students, and that is what matters most. In time, an average plodder who hones his skills becomes quite an excellent plodder!

My 10th grade chemistry teacher, Mr. Lopes, fits this description pretty well. He was not especially charismatic; he didn’t crack jokes, tell entertaining stories, or connect with students via pop-culture references. But he knew his chemistry well, and he was 100% committed to teaching it to us.

Mr. Lopes wore a lot of nice, plain cotton vests, and he kept his beard trimmed short. He was always on time if not early. He always graded and returned our tests the day after we took them. And here’s what I remember most: every student question or request, no matter how silly or how poorly articulated, was met with an earnest, wide-eyed gaze followed by an earnest response in his serious but gentle voice.

Every aspect of Mr. Lopes’ body language and voice said: “You, the student, are important. Your education is important. Your question is important. I want to help you, and I am ready to help you. Here we go.”

I can still picture that gaze — steady, concerned, intense but friendly. The “Look of Lopes” was a sight to behold.

With that gaze and that attitude, plus abundant knowledge of the subject matter, one can do an awful lot of good for one’s students. Mr. Lopes sure did.