Summary of Episode 1290: "Statement of Teaching Philosophy" by Keith Leonard

Podcast Information

• Title: The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily
• Host: Maggie Smith
• Authoring Body: American Public Media
• Episode Release Date: February 7, 2025
• Produced By: APM Studios in partnership with The Poetry Foundation, supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Introduction to the Episode

In Episode 1290 of The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily, host Maggie Smith delves into the profound influence of teachers and mentors on our personal and professional lives. Drawing from her extensive experience in teaching creative writing over 25 years, Maggie explores the enduring lessons imparted by educators and the intricate role of language in conveying complex emotions and ideas.

Reflections on Teaching and Mentorship

Maggie Smith opens the episode by reminiscing about the invaluable guidance received from her teachers and mentors:

[00:57] Maggie Smith: "I still carry the words of my teachers and mentors with me. Even though some of them are gone. Now from this earth. I hear their voices. They're still guiding me, telling me to slow down, to trust myself, to protect my inner life, to get out of my own way."

She emphasizes the lasting impact of their advice, not just in the realm of writing but across all facets of life. Maggie highlights the dual role of educators as both teachers and perpetual students, underscoring the importance of lifelong learning:

[01:27] Maggie Smith: "I've been teaching creative writing for 25 years. There are many ways to be a teacher, and all of them require us to be students forever. Part of being human is that we remain lifelong learners. We never have it all figured out."

The Power and Limitations of Language

Transitioning into a discussion on language, Maggie delves into its formidable ability to shape our perceptions and emotions:

[01:27] Maggie Smith: "Language is incredibly powerful. It can transform the way we think and feel and experience the world."

However, she also candidly acknowledges the inherent limitations of language, particularly when attempting to articulate profound or ineffable experiences:

[02:06] Maggie Smith: "But another thing I've learned about language is that it has limitations. It's often woefully inadequate. Sometimes I can find the just right words, sometimes I can't."

Maggie reflects on the universal struggle to communicate complex thoughts and feelings, yet celebrates the "magic of language" found in poetry that can encapsulate the unsayable:

[02:42] Maggie Smith: "Maybe you've experienced the magic of language. Maybe you've read something that articulated what you've felt or experienced, but could never describe yourself... It feels like a miracle. And it's why I think we turn to poems, because they often say the unsayable."

She captures the duality of language being both a powerful tool and a source of frustration, a tension that fuels the passion for writing:

[04:15] Maggie Smith: "I feel both sides constantly, both the miracle and the inadequacy of language. That tension is part of what makes writing so thrilling."

The Featured Poem: "Statement of Teaching Philosophy" by Keith Leonard

Central to this episode is the poignant poem "Statement of Teaching Philosophy" by Keith Leonard, which Maggie introduces as a reflection on the challenges of teaching amidst uncertainty and fear.

Poem Recitation

[04:45] Maggie Smith: "Statement of Teaching Philosophy by Keith Leonard

My students want certainty. They want it so badly they respect science and have memorized complex formulas. I don't know how to tell my students their parents are still just as scared. The bullies get bigger and vaguer, and you cannot punch a cloud. I have eulogies for all my loved ones prepared but cannot include this fact in my lesson plans. The best teacher I ever had told me to meet him at the basketball court. We played pickup for hours. By the end, I lay panting on the hardwood and couldn't so much as stand. He told me to describe the pain in my chest. I tried. I couldn't find the words. Not exactly. Listen, he said. That's where language ends."

Analysis and Insights

Keith Leonard's poem serves as a contemplative exploration of the teacher's struggle to provide certainty in an inherently uncertain world. The poem juxtaposes the rigidity of scientific certainty with the nebulous fears and challenges faced by both students and their parents. Leonard poignantly captures the limitations of language in expressing deep-seated fears and emotions, echoing Maggie's earlier reflections on the power and inadequacy of language.

Key themes include:

• Desire for Certainty: Students' reverence for science and formulaic knowledge as a means to grasp an unpredictable world.

  [04:50] Keith Leonard: "My students want certainty. They want it so badly they respect science and have memorized complex formulas."

• Unspoken Fears: The pervasive anxiety among parents and students that remains unaddressed in educational discourse.

  [04:52] Keith Leonard: "I don't know how to tell my students their parents are still just as scared."

• Ineffectiveness of Conventional Responses: Traditional coping mechanisms, such as preparing eulogies, are rendered ineffective within the educational framework.

  [04:56] Keith Leonard: "I have eulogies for all my loved ones prepared but cannot include this fact in my lesson plans."

• The Limits of Language: The struggle to articulate profound emotional pain, culminating in the realization that language has its boundaries.

  [05:00] Keith Leonard: "Listen, he said. That's where language ends."

Conclusion

Maggie Smith closes the episode by reiterating the collaborative effort behind The Slowdown, acknowledging the team involved in its production and encouraging listeners to engage with the podcast through various platforms. The episode underscores the enduring relevance of poetry as a medium capable of bridging the gaps that conventional language often cannot, offering listeners a moment of reflection and connection through the shared human experience.

Notable Quotes:

• On Lifelong Learning:

  [01:27] Maggie Smith: "Part of being human is that we remain lifelong learners. We never have it all figured out."

• On Language's Dual Nature:

  [02:42] Maggie Smith: "Maybe you've experienced the magic of language... It feels like a miracle. And it's why I think we turn to poems, because they often say the unsayable."

• On the Thrill of Writing:

  [04:15] Maggie Smith: "That tension is part of what makes writing so thrilling."

• On Language's Limitations in the Poem:

  [05:00] Keith Leonard: "Listen, he said. That's where language ends."

This detailed summary encapsulates the essence of Episode 1290, providing listeners with comprehensive insights into the themes of teaching, mentorship, and the intricate role of language in poetry and communication.