There is a very insightful blogpost over at Bleeding Heart Libertarians about education and teaching reform. I think I agree. Definitely, the idea that teaching is a performance art, and not an academic discipline, strikes me accurate. A good teacher is like a good musician or a talented athlete or actor or a martial artist. A good teacher is not like an intellectual or researcher or typical PhD professor.
Now, as to whether or not I, personally, am a good teacher? I have no idea. I have good days and bad days. I'm not sure. Today, I was correcting a student essay book, and a little second grader who goes by the English name of Lucy wrote, under her essay, "I love Jared teacher." And she drew a picture of a smiling alligator. That made my day.