Teaching to Fish

Most cultures and languages have a variation of the above proverb, but why? It addresses a tenet all humans as sentient beings across the world must come to understand. The passing of knowledge from one to another is part of who we are, how we come to grow and adapt, and essential to getting through life. It emphasizes that learning should be active and change behavior; the unengaged students who passively take what is given will never truly learn. My students and mentors (yes, teachers have teachers too) often discuss the proverb to remind ourselves of our purpose. Of how important our work is to ensuring others know what we have come to understand. And I often ponder my personal philosophy that I must teach what I know to others but be ready for them to teach me so much more. I am reminded of another quote which has similar cultural variations and addresses the acquisition of knowledge.

All I know is that I know nothing. — Socrates

This reminds me that even with as much knowledge as I gain, as many degrees and accolades I earn, it’s still only a tiny portion of what there is to know. But a recent concern of mine in my personal growth journey has been with trust and credibility. I feel some of what I’m trying to learn is being withheld from me for the purpose of scamming me or continuing to take advantage of me. My trust has been broken and I’m having a small existential crisis. So I’ve been searching for new mentors and building relationships with them – they must establish credibility while I must express my determination to meeting my goals. This has reminded me to consider that I must portray trust and credibility to my students in the same manner. How? By never giving fish, only teaching to fish.