Superman Sucks as a Teacher

One blog post that stuck out to me today was called "Why Superman Would Suck as a Teacher" from the Teaching Paperless blog. There are many contributing authors to this blog, but this particular post was written by John T. Spencer. His main points are honest and thought provoking.

"Superman has x-ray vision, but he is unwilling to be even remotely transparent himself. I'm not suggesting that teachers bare all, but a complete lack of vulnerability prevents students from trusting a classroom leader.

Superman is strong, but rarely gentle. The Flaming Lips ask the question, "Is it getting heavy to use a crane to crush a fly?" Perhaps kids need more strong men, but it seems even more powerful when a strong man can gently say, "I care about your pain. I care about your story."

Superman is always composed, always honorable, always doing the right thing. But in the process, he doesn't get a chance to be humble and apologize. Perhaps he's perfect and maybe kids need perfection.

Superman is too nice. My favorite teachers (Jesus, Socrates, my AP Government teacher) often broke social norms and used language that provoked thought rather than maintaining the status quo.

Superman might be great preventing destruction, but he is rarely seen creating anything. Preservation can't be the bottom line.

Superman saves the day, but in the process he doesn't allow the citizens to help. He doesn't come alongside them and say, "let's serve together." There's a touch of imperialism in flying down and fixing a mess without empowering people to get to the root of the issue."

Kids want to learn and think deeply and superman can't do that. We should strive to be the teacher that Superman never was or will be. :)