"So what does a good teacher do? Create tension - but just the right amount"
About this Quote
A good teacher recognizes that learning does not happen when everything is easy or overly comfortable. True growth requires a level of discomfort, a productive friction that pushes students to grapple with new ideas, make mistakes, and re-evaluate their assumptions. Creating tension means stirring curiosity, challenging students’ current understanding, and presenting problems with just enough complexity that they spark engagement rather than frustration or resignation.
Yet, the art lies in balance. Too much tension, overwhelming difficulty, unclear objectives, or an intimidating atmosphere, can paralyze students, stifling their willingness to participate or take risks. They may withdraw, shut down, or simply memorize answers without deeper comprehension. Too little tension, on the other hand, leads to complacency and boredom, robbing students of the opportunity to stretch their minds. The classroom becomes a place of rote learning rather than genuine exploration.
A skillful teacher calibrates challenge based on students’ abilities, interests, and backgrounds. They ask probing questions that demand more than passive recall, provide tasks that are just beyond current skill levels, and introduce enough uncertainty that curiosity is piqued but not crushed. Feedback and support are tailored: encouragement and scaffolding are provided where needed, enabling learners to navigate the discomfort and eventually find resolution.
This intentional tension fosters resilience and intellectual stamina. Students learn to sit with uncertainty and persist through difficulty, developing critical thinking and creative problem-solving abilities. The teacher’s role becomes less about providing answers and more about designing experiences and environments that nudge students toward meaningful insight. By carefully tuning the amount of tension, a good teacher creates a dynamic space where learning is both challenging and rewarding, where discovery is an adventure rather than an ordeal, and where the spark of inquiry leads to lasting understanding.
Yet, the art lies in balance. Too much tension, overwhelming difficulty, unclear objectives, or an intimidating atmosphere, can paralyze students, stifling their willingness to participate or take risks. They may withdraw, shut down, or simply memorize answers without deeper comprehension. Too little tension, on the other hand, leads to complacency and boredom, robbing students of the opportunity to stretch their minds. The classroom becomes a place of rote learning rather than genuine exploration.
A skillful teacher calibrates challenge based on students’ abilities, interests, and backgrounds. They ask probing questions that demand more than passive recall, provide tasks that are just beyond current skill levels, and introduce enough uncertainty that curiosity is piqued but not crushed. Feedback and support are tailored: encouragement and scaffolding are provided where needed, enabling learners to navigate the discomfort and eventually find resolution.
This intentional tension fosters resilience and intellectual stamina. Students learn to sit with uncertainty and persist through difficulty, developing critical thinking and creative problem-solving abilities. The teacher’s role becomes less about providing answers and more about designing experiences and environments that nudge students toward meaningful insight. By carefully tuning the amount of tension, a good teacher creates a dynamic space where learning is both challenging and rewarding, where discovery is an adventure rather than an ordeal, and where the spark of inquiry leads to lasting understanding.
Quote Details
| Topic | Teaching |
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