Origin of 'Those who can't do teach"

Undesired Walrus · 25th January 2009, 03:45 PM

I was wondering if Woody Allen was the creator of this phrase. He wrote it in 1977:

"Those who can't do, teach. Those who can't teach, teach gym".

Does it date back earlier than that?

theprestige · 25th January 2009, 04:35 PM

Allen's version strikes me as a play on the original, taking it to the next level of absurdity and humor. Based on what little I know of Woody Allen, jokes, and language, I'd guess by the structure (three-part, rather than two-part) and context (a movie by a known comedian), that it's not the original.

zooloo · 25th January 2009, 05:15 PM

I believe the original to be...

He who can, does. He who cannot, teaches.

Man and Superman (1903) "Maxims for Revolutionists"

George Bernard Shaw.

The Atheist · 30th January 2009, 07:32 AM

Beat me to it - I use it frequently.

More's the pity.

Monketey Ghost · 30th January 2009, 07:37 AM

Originally Posted by theprestige

Allen's version strikes me as a play on the original, taking it to the next level of absurdity and humor. Based on what little I know of Woody Allen, jokes, and language, I'd guess by the structure (three-part, rather than two-part) and context (a movie by a known comedian), that it's not the original.

Woody Allen. The guy built his career on putting his spin on old jokes, masterfully.

Just had to testify for the man.

Dave_46 · 30th January 2009, 10:29 AM

I don't know the origin, but I've always known it as:

Those that can, do
Those that can't, teach
And those that can't teach teach teachers.

Dave

NobbyNobbs · 30th January 2009, 11:40 AM

Or, the related version I know...

Those who can, do.
Those who can't, teach.
Those who can't teach, administrate.

DavidJames · 4th February 2009, 09:31 PM

The version I use
Those who can, do
Those who can't, teach
Those who can't teach, write about those that do and teach.

Foolmewunz · 4th February 2009, 11:17 PM

Originally Posted by zooloo

I believe the original to be...

He who can, does. He who cannot, teaches.

Man and Superman (1903) "Maxims for Revolutionists"

George Bernard Shaw.

Neat! Another "Let's Put the E in JREF" award.

Americans generally attribute it to Mencken, but I've never seen it given a date, and I'll have to say that Man and Superman is before Mencken was making quotable statements (he would've only been in his 20s 1903).

Miss_Kitt · 4th February 2009, 11:21 PM

I heard it as,
"Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach. Those who can't teach, teach at Community College."
I'm sure it varies to circumstances.

CriticalThanking · 5th February 2009, 11:08 AM

Those who can't do, teach.
Those who can't teach, manage.
Those who can't manage, consult.

There is a relevant short story by... Orson Scott Card? The main character is an assistant principal who works his behind off and is rewarded with the position of principal.

CT (runs a consulting company, and manages)

LibraryLady · 5th February 2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

He who can, does. He who cannot, teaches.

George Bernard Shaw, Maxims for Revolutionists: Education. Man and Superman, 1903.

I love being a librarian.

SirPhilip · 5th February 2009, 11:51 AM

It's a pragmatic statement, essentially playing on the difference between athletic and intellectual motivations. Because both disciplines would be superior, it quietly encourages it's own invalidation.

drkitten · 5th February 2009, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by SirPhilip

It's a pragmatic statement, essentially playing on the difference between athletic and intellectual motivations. Because both disciplines would be superior, it quietly encourages it's own invalidation.

What absolute word salad. How,.... pentagonal.

cwalner · 5th February 2009, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by zooloo

I believe the original to be...

He who can, does. He who cannot, teaches.

Man and Superman (1903) "Maxims for Revolutionists"

George Bernard Shaw.

Thanks, this is interesting news for me. I also find it interesting that the phrasing and context of this original comes across as affirmational of teaching, while the modern equivalents come across as derogatory against teachers.

To me the above implies external factors preventing one from taking action, while the modern versions seem to imply internal lack of ability.

Cosmic Roy · 6th February 2009, 08:15 PM

Ah ****. I can't do. That's plain enough. I tried teaching, but it turned out I couldn't do that either. What's left for me?

not daSkeptic · 6th February 2009, 08:22 PM

Those who can, foster progress.
Those who can't, foster progress reports.

MattusMaximus · 7th February 2009, 08:44 PM

I had a colleague who taught AP chemistry a few years back. He had this great T-shirt:

Those who can, do.

Those who can do more, teach.

And yes I'm a teacher. I teach high school AP physics & college physics/astronomy. There are a lot of damn good teachers out there, but I will also be the first to admit there are a lot of idiots in classrooms out there as well (and I don't mean the students).

drkitten · 8th February 2009, 07:27 AM

Originally Posted by MattusMaximus

And yes I'm a teacher. I teach high school AP physics & college physics/astronomy. There are a lot of damn good teachers out there, but I will also be the first to admit there are a lot of idiots in classrooms out there as well (and I don't mean the students).

Well, teaching is a skill. The broader skill mix you demand, the less levels you have to expect, because people can't be brilliant at everything.

If you want a brilliant physicist, it's hard enough to find them.
If you want a brilliant physicist who is also a brilliant teacher, it's much harder. So it's not surprising that the DoD -- which doesn't care about teaching -- hires better physicists than St. Grottlesex.

If you want a brilliant physicist who is also a brilliant teacher, a concert oboeist, and an Olympic gymnast.... I don't think such a person exists. So if you want to hire a physics teacher who can also play oboe in the school band and coach the gymnastics team, you'll have to settle for adequacy, or perhaps even "barely competent," in at least one of those areas.

Chaunceyworld · 8th February 2009, 09:29 AM

I've always said it this way "them what can does, them what can't talks about it"
I learned this as a kid, probably from my dad, who WANTED to be a teacher.

ServiceSoon · 8th February 2009, 10:21 AM

I always thought it was

If you can't work, then teach.
If you can't teach, then administrate.
If you can't administrate, then legislate.
If you can't legislate, then litigate.

tyr_13 · 9th February 2009, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by Undesired Walrus

I was wondering if Woody Allen was the creator of this phrase. He wrote it in 1977:

"Those who can't do, teach. Those who can't teach, teach gym".

Does it date back earlier than that?

Ahh, Woody Allen. Not only do I think he is a douche bag, but the pump and hose as well. I find his movies just horrible.

His quotes, not always so bad.

shuize · 20th February 2009, 03:31 AM

In Japan, it goes like this:

Those who can, do.

Those who can't, teach.

Those who can't teach, teach EFL.

Undesired Walrus · 20th February 2009, 04:45 AM

Originally Posted by tyr_13

Ahh, Woody Allen. Not only do I think he is a douche bag, but the pump and hose as well. I find his movies just horrible.

I was waiting for this to pop up..

I just couldn't disagree with you more. I see him and often think to myself: "There is no greater person on this planet".

Cainkane1 · 20th February 2009, 04:54 AM

I don't know if Woody Allen said that but its true.

Jeff Corey · 20th February 2009, 08:08 PM

What, about gym teachers?
Woody Allen was making a joke, a spoof, a parody, a send off of the original quote.
Anybody who sincerely thinks the original is true probably doesn't know anything worth teaching.

rjh01 · 21st February 2009, 04:03 AM

The phrase is a gross simplification of the truth. It probably refers to teachers of children only. I have been taught by teachers as a adult heaps of times. There are two types of teacher

1. Those that are good at teaching what they know. They teach as their job. However if you ask them a tricky question then they do not know the answer. This sort of person the phrase is aimed at.

2. These people are not really teachers. They only teach part time. For the rest of the time they actually do the work. They know everything or nearly everything about the subject. However they may not know how to teach.

Holler Hoojer · 23rd February 2009, 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by Cosmic Roy

Ah ****. I can't do. That's plain enough. I tried teaching, but it turned out I couldn't do that either. What's left for me?

That's easy. Find a carpet-walled cubicle to live in and then attend meetings.

technoextreme · 23rd February 2009, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by drkitten

Well, teaching is a skill. The broader skill mix you demand, the less levels you have to expect, because people can't be brilliant at everything.

Is it really that big of a skill? The only real thing I've ever needed to have teaching people is patience. The other problem is knowing what the hell you are talking about. If you fail at that you are screwed and this is coming from someone whose has had complete mastery over subjects to being one theory short of actually explaining a subject. As for high school classes I could probably teach physics, eventually chemistry (Given the weird and freakishly random direction my career just took), almost every single type of high school math, and maybe biology.

Quote:

"Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach. Those who can't teach, teach at Community College."

Ehhh gods. Community college for my brother has been an abject disaster. My mother called me up asking about a simple biology question that typically would involve being taught a Punnett square. The stupid teacher did not go over anything involving Punnett squares.

Floyt · 24th February 2009, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by technoextreme

Ehhh gods. Community college for my brother has been an abject disaster. My mother called me up asking about a simple biology question that typically would involve being taught a Punnett square. The stupid teacher did not go over anything involving Punnett squares.

See, and I am doing a PhD in Zoology and never even heard of them square things. My university must have been a Community College in disguise

Hindmost · 24th February 2009, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by technoextreme

Is it really that big of a skill? The only real thing I've ever needed to have teaching people is patience. The other problem is knowing what the hell you are talking about. If you fail at that you are screwed and this is coming from someone whose has had complete mastery over subjects to being one theory short of actually explaining a subject. As for high school classes I could probably teach physics, eventually chemistry (Given the weird and freakishly random direction my career just took), almost every single type of high school math, and maybe biology.

Ehhh gods. Community college for my brother has been an abject disaster. My mother called me up asking about a simple biology question that typically would involve being taught a Punnett square. The stupid teacher did not go over anything involving Punnett squares.

If you think teaching is so easy, give it a shot. Most places have programs for getting certified. After you have taught a required class to average level high school students or middle school students, come back and post something right here. Have your students post something too. My bet is that it would be significantly different.

A good teacher inspires students. See if you can.

Those that can, do...
thost that can do better teach...
those that can't do either one, criticize.

glenn

technoextreme · 24th February 2009, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by Hindmost

A good teacher inspires students. See if you can.

How is that the hard part?

Hindmost · 24th February 2009, 06:15 PM

Originally Posted by technoextreme

How is that the hard part?

Anyone with an education can stand in front of students and regurgitate their brain. Try getting in front of a high school class or a middle school class and see how many are inspired. You will get to know your students fairly well...

Give is a shot--see if you can survive--most don't.

glenn

technoextreme · 24th February 2009, 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by Hindmost

Anyone with an education can stand in front of students and regurgitate their brain.

Well you thats where you and I differ. A good teacher doesn't regurgitate their brain. The most painful lesson of my life.

Morrigan · 25th February 2009, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by technoextreme

Is it really that big of a skill? The only real thing I've ever needed to have teaching people is patience. The other problem is knowing what the hell you are talking about.

Um wow, you are so completely wrong about this. I suggest you give up.

Hindmost · 25th February 2009, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by technoextreme

Well you thats where you and I differ. A good teacher doesn't regurgitate their brain. The most painful lesson of my life.

Need to go back and read what I wrote. I never implied a good teacher just regurgitated their brain...I was being mildly sarcastic

And it certainly won't inspire.

glenn

technoextreme · 1st March 2009, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by Morrigan

Um wow, you are so completely wrong about this. I suggest you give up.

Your mastery of the English language has persuaded me so much. I surrender.

Quote:

And it certainly won't inspire.

Ahhh mystical magical inspiration. Why is it that teachers have a hard time with this?

Hindmost · 2nd March 2009, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by technoextreme

Your mastery of the English language has persuaded me so much. I surrender.

Ahhh mystical magical inspiration. Why is it that teachers have a hard time with this?

Never mind

glenn

drkitten · 2nd March 2009, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by technoextreme

Ahhh mystical magical inspiration. Why is it that teachers have a hard time with this?

Because it's hard making people want to do something.

It's especially hard making people want to do something that's difficult and not especially fun. Did you ever play an instrument in school? I, personally, found that practicing was both dull and difficult, and there were usually other things that would have been more fun, like playing outside, watching TV, or sitting and reading a book. For the most part, I practiced because my parents yelled at me if I didn't.

On the other hand, I enjoyed -- and still enjoy -- just "messing around" on my instrument; playing songs that I liked to play instead of songs that had been assigned by the teacher to master.

Similarly, I always loved to read -- certain types of books, that is. I loved adventure fiction, fantasy, space opera, detective fiction, and a lot of non-fiction as well (although I always hated biography). But I also hated most of the stuff I was assigned in high school. I felt -- and still feel -- that most of the 19th century should be taken out and shot. Dickens is bad enough; I'll actually give him credit for A Christmas Carol, but Oliver Twist is just tedious. And the entire "gothic-fiction" genre (Turn of the Screw) made Oliver seem positively exciting.

So I was the sort of student who would put down The Turn of the Screw to read Lives of a Cell. That delighted my biology teacher and ticked the hell out of my English lit teacher, for obvious reasons.

What could the English teacher have done to make me actually want to put down Lives instead? That is inspiration, and that's something that typically only a very good teacher can do, especially for a class of forty.

ETA: And, more specifically -- what could you have done? Go ahead, persuade the fifteen-year old me that what you want me to do is more important than what I want to do, enough that I'll actually go home and work on it.

Cosmic Roy · 3rd March 2009, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by Holler Hoojer

That's easy. Find a carpet-walled cubicle to live in and then attend meetings.

Done! (Well, almost - I'm not important enough to warrant a cubicle, but I do have a 30cm carpeted partition between me and my colleague, so I guess I'm on the right track.)
Thanks for the life advice, Holler Hoojer.

25th January 2009, 03:45 PM	#1
Undesired Walrus Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: London Posts: 10,893	Origin of 'Those who can't do teach" I was wondering if Woody Allen was the creator of this phrase. He wrote it in 1977: "Those who can't do, teach. Those who can't teach, teach gym". Does it date back earlier than that?
	__________________ Man's material discoveries have outpaced his moral progress. - Clement Attlee, 1945

25th January 2009, 04:35 PM	#2
theprestige Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 8,661	Allen's version strikes me as a play on the original, taking it to the next level of absurdity and humor. Based on what little I know of Woody Allen, jokes, and language, I'd guess by the structure (three-part, rather than two-part) and context (a movie by a known comedian), that it's not the original.
theprestige Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 8,661

25th January 2009, 05:15 PM	#3
zooloo Thinker Join Date: May 2006 Location: Britian Posts: 248	I believe the original to be... He who can, does. He who cannot, teaches. Man and Superman (1903) "Maxims for Revolutionists" George Bernard Shaw.
	__________________ "This beautiful System is the only one possible, and the best that human wisdom can devise. May the System live for ever! Cursed be those who seek to destroy the System!"

30th January 2009, 07:32 AM	#4
The Atheist The Grammar Tyrant Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Within smelling distance of the Grammar Death Camps Posts: 13,928	Beat me to it - I use it frequently. More's the pity.
	__________________ Jeff Wagg, Communication and Outreach Manager for the James Randi Educational Foundation posted: It is my job to inform other JREF employees about people who wish to do the JREF harm, and you [The Atheist] are one of those.

30th January 2009, 07:37 AM	#5
Monketey Ghost Body of Work Join Date: May 2003 Location: I'm on your screen! Posts: 14,807	Originally Posted by theprestige Allen's version strikes me as a play on the original, taking it to the next level of absurdity and humor. Based on what little I know of Woody Allen, jokes, and language, I'd guess by the structure (three-part, rather than two-part) and context (a movie by a known comedian), that it's not the original. Woody Allen. The guy built his career on putting his spin on old jokes, masterfully. Just had to testify for the man.
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30th January 2009, 10:29 AM	#6
Dave_46 Muse Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: UK (south Bucks) Posts: 938	I don't know the origin, but I've always known it as: Those that can, do Those that can't, teach And those that can't teach teach teachers. Dave

30th January 2009, 11:40 AM	#7
NobbyNobbs Gazerbeam's Protege Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The Mended Drum Posts: 5,630	Or, the related version I know... Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach. Those who can't teach, administrate.
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4th February 2009, 09:31 PM	#8
DavidJames Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Front Range, CO Posts: 7,088	The version I use Those who can, do Those who can't, teach Those who can't teach, write about those that do and teach.
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4th February 2009, 11:17 PM	#9
Foolmewunz Grammar Resistance Leader Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pattaya, Thailand Posts: 20,524	Originally Posted by zooloo I believe the original to be... He who can, does. He who cannot, teaches. Man and Superman (1903) "Maxims for Revolutionists" George Bernard Shaw. Neat! Another "Let's Put the E in JREF" award. Americans generally attribute it to Mencken, but I've never seen it given a date, and I'll have to say that Man and Superman is before Mencken was making quotable statements (he would've only been in his 20s 1903).
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4th February 2009, 11:21 PM	#10
Miss_Kitt Zombie Horse of Homeopathy Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lesser Seattle Posts: 3,629	I heard it as, "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach. Those who can't teach, teach at Community College." I'm sure it varies to circumstances.
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5th February 2009, 11:08 AM	#11
CriticalThanking Designated Hitter Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In the queue to Williamsport Posts: 2,159	Those who can't do, teach. Those who can't teach, manage. Those who can't manage, consult. There is a relevant short story by... Orson Scott Card? The main character is an assistant principal who works his behind off and is rewarded with the position of principal. He decides he wants more, consults with his wife. Together they make make the fateful decision. He takes yet more training, works longer hours, etc, until after years of sacrifice, he gets his final reward, and and is promoted to teacher. CT (runs a consulting company, and manages)
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5th February 2009, 11:17 AM	#12
LibraryLady ...but not JUST a LibraryLady Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Building a house in the common ground Posts: 13,079	Quote: He who can, does. He who cannot, teaches. George Bernard Shaw, Maxims for Revolutionists: Education. Man and Superman, 1903. I love being a librarian.
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5th February 2009, 11:51 AM	#13
SirPhilip Bittersweet Symphony Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Athens, Ohio Posts: 2,444	It's a pragmatic statement, essentially playing on the difference between athletic and intellectual motivations. Because both disciplines would be superior, it quietly encourages it's own invalidation.
	__________________ "The head of the love organ is shaped exactly like a poisonous rattlesnake. And just like a rattlesnake, it's always looking for a hole." - Sun Myung Moon "There are social darwinism principles to uphold here." - Me

5th February 2009, 12:15 PM	#14
drkitten Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Wits' End Posts: 21,647	Originally Posted by SirPhilip It's a pragmatic statement, essentially playing on the difference between athletic and intellectual motivations. Because both disciplines would be superior, it quietly encourages it's own invalidation. What absolute word salad. How,.... pentagonal.

5th February 2009, 01:38 PM	#15
cwalner Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Deepest Darkest Indiana Posts: 5,708	Originally Posted by zooloo I believe the original to be... He who can, does. He who cannot, teaches. Man and Superman (1903) "Maxims for Revolutionists" George Bernard Shaw. Thanks, this is interesting news for me. I also find it interesting that the phrasing and context of this original comes across as affirmational of teaching, while the modern equivalents come across as derogatory against teachers. To me the above implies external factors preventing one from taking action, while the modern versions seem to imply internal lack of ability.
	__________________ Vecini - Inconceivable! Inigo - You keep on using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

6th February 2009, 08:15 PM	#16
Cosmic Roy Thinker Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 228	Ah ****. I can't do. That's plain enough. I tried teaching, but it turned out I couldn't do that either. What's left for me?
Cosmic Roy Thinker Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 228

6th February 2009, 08:22 PM	#17
not daSkeptic Graduate Poster Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,919	Those who can, foster progress. Those who can't, foster progress reports.
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7th February 2009, 08:44 PM	#18
MattusMaximus Intellectual Gladiator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In the midst of a vast, beautiful & uncaring universe Posts: 14,175	I had a colleague who taught AP chemistry a few years back. He had this great T-shirt: Those who can, do. Those who can do more, teach. And yes I'm a teacher. I teach high school AP physics & college physics/astronomy. There are a lot of damn good teachers out there, but I will also be the first to admit there are a lot of idiots in classrooms out there as well (and I don't mean the students).
	__________________ Visit my blog: The Skeptical Teacher The Times They Are A-Changin'

8th February 2009, 07:27 AM	#19
drkitten Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Wits' End Posts: 21,647	Originally Posted by MattusMaximus And yes I'm a teacher. I teach high school AP physics & college physics/astronomy. There are a lot of damn good teachers out there, but I will also be the first to admit there are a lot of idiots in classrooms out there as well (and I don't mean the students). Well, teaching is a skill. The broader skill mix you demand, the less levels you have to expect, because people can't be brilliant at everything. If you want a brilliant physicist, it's hard enough to find them. If you want a brilliant physicist who is also a brilliant teacher, it's much harder. So it's not surprising that the DoD -- which doesn't care about teaching -- hires better physicists than St. Grottlesex. If you want a brilliant physicist who is also a brilliant teacher, a concert oboeist, and an Olympic gymnast.... I don't think such a person exists. So if you want to hire a physics teacher who can also play oboe in the school band and coach the gymnastics team, you'll have to settle for adequacy, or perhaps even "barely competent," in at least one of those areas.

8th February 2009, 09:29 AM	#20
Chaunceyworld New Blood Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: frozen north Posts: 8	I've always said it this way "them what can does, them what can't talks about it" I learned this as a kid, probably from my dad, who WANTED to be a teacher.

8th February 2009, 10:21 AM	#21
ServiceSoon Muse Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 996	I always thought it was If you can't work, then teach. If you can't teach, then administrate. If you can't administrate, then legislate. If you can't legislate, then litigate.
ServiceSoon Muse Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 996

9th February 2009, 07:30 PM	#22
tyr_13 Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Falconer, NY Posts: 9,677	Originally Posted by Undesired Walrus I was wondering if Woody Allen was the creator of this phrase. He wrote it in 1977: "Those who can't do, teach. Those who can't teach, teach gym". Does it date back earlier than that? Ahh, Woody Allen. Not only do I think he is a douche bag, but the pump and hose as well. I find his movies just horrible. His quotes, not always so bad.
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20th February 2009, 03:31 AM	#23
shuize Master Poster Join Date: May 2002 Location: Japan Posts: 2,311	In Japan, it goes like this: Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach. Those who can't teach, teach EFL.

20th February 2009, 04:45 AM	#24
Undesired Walrus Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: London Posts: 10,893	Originally Posted by tyr_13 Ahh, Woody Allen. Not only do I think he is a douche bag, but the pump and hose as well. I find his movies just horrible. I was waiting for this to pop up.. I just couldn't disagree with you more. I see him and often think to myself: "There is no greater person on this planet".
	__________________ Man's material discoveries have outpaced his moral progress. - Clement Attlee, 1945

20th February 2009, 04:54 AM	#25
Cainkane1 Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: The great American southeast Posts: 7,198	I don't know if Woody Allen said that but its true.
	__________________ If at first you don't succeed try try again. Then if you fail to succeed to Hell with that. Try something else.

20th February 2009, 08:08 PM	#26
Jeff Corey New York Skeptic Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 13,795	What, about gym teachers? Woody Allen was making a joke, a spoof, a parody, a send off of the original quote. Anybody who sincerely thinks the original is true probably doesn't know anything worth teaching.

21st February 2009, 04:03 AM	#27
rjh01 Gentleman of leisure Tagger Join Date: May 2005 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 17,198	The phrase is a gross simplification of the truth. It probably refers to teachers of children only. I have been taught by teachers as a adult heaps of times. There are two types of teacher 1. Those that are good at teaching what they know. They teach as their job. However if you ask them a tricky question then they do not know the answer. This sort of person the phrase is aimed at. 2. These people are not really teachers. They only teach part time. For the rest of the time they actually do the work. They know everything or nearly everything about the subject. However they may not know how to teach.

23rd February 2009, 05:13 PM	#28
Holler Hoojer Critical Thinker Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 422	Originally Posted by Cosmic Roy Ah ****. I can't do. That's plain enough. I tried teaching, but it turned out I couldn't do that either. What's left for me? That's easy. Find a carpet-walled cubicle to live in and then attend meetings.

23rd February 2009, 08:13 PM	#29
technoextreme Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3,786	Originally Posted by drkitten Well, teaching is a skill. The broader skill mix you demand, the less levels you have to expect, because people can't be brilliant at everything. Is it really that big of a skill? The only real thing I've ever needed to have teaching people is patience. The other problem is knowing what the hell you are talking about. If you fail at that you are screwed and this is coming from someone whose has had complete mastery over subjects to being one theory short of actually explaining a subject. As for high school classes I could probably teach physics, eventually chemistry (Given the weird and freakishly random direction my career just took), almost every single type of high school math, and maybe biology. Quote: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach. Those who can't teach, teach at Community College." Ehhh gods. Community college for my brother has been an abject disaster. My mother called me up asking about a simple biology question that typically would involve being taught a Punnett square. The stupid teacher did not go over anything involving Punnett squares.
	__________________ It's amazing how many of these "paranormal" icons seem to merge together. There always seem to be theories about how they link together in some way. I'm sure someone has a very good explanation as to how Bigfoot killed JFK to help cover Roswell.-Mark Mekes This isn't rocket surgery.-Bill Nye Last edited by technoextreme; 23rd February 2009 at 08:24 PM.

24th February 2009, 05:22 PM	#30
Floyt Chordate Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Cape Town! Not mugged yet. Looking for chameleons. Posts: 1,428	Originally Posted by technoextreme Ehhh gods. Community college for my brother has been an abject disaster. My mother called me up asking about a simple biology question that typically would involve being taught a Punnett square. The stupid teacher did not go over anything involving Punnett squares. See, and I am doing a PhD in Zoology and never even heard of them square things. My university must have been a Community College in disguise
	__________________ They had no god; they had no gods; they had no faith. What they appear to have had is a working metaphor. - Ursula K. Le Guin, "Always Coming Home"

24th February 2009, 05:30 PM	#31
Hindmost Guest Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Draco Tavern Posts: 3,317	Originally Posted by technoextreme Is it really that big of a skill? The only real thing I've ever needed to have teaching people is patience. The other problem is knowing what the hell you are talking about. If you fail at that you are screwed and this is coming from someone whose has had complete mastery over subjects to being one theory short of actually explaining a subject. As for high school classes I could probably teach physics, eventually chemistry (Given the weird and freakishly random direction my career just took), almost every single type of high school math, and maybe biology. Ehhh gods. Community college for my brother has been an abject disaster. My mother called me up asking about a simple biology question that typically would involve being taught a Punnett square. The stupid teacher did not go over anything involving Punnett squares. If you think teaching is so easy, give it a shot. Most places have programs for getting certified. After you have taught a required class to average level high school students or middle school students, come back and post something right here. Have your students post something too. My bet is that it would be significantly different. A good teacher inspires students. See if you can. Those that can, do... thost that can do better teach... those that can't do either one, criticize. glenn

24th February 2009, 05:47 PM	#32
technoextreme Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3,786	Originally Posted by Hindmost A good teacher inspires students. See if you can. How is that the hard part?
	__________________ It's amazing how many of these "paranormal" icons seem to merge together. There always seem to be theories about how they link together in some way. I'm sure someone has a very good explanation as to how Bigfoot killed JFK to help cover Roswell.-Mark Mekes This isn't rocket surgery.-Bill Nye Last edited by technoextreme; 24th February 2009 at 05:50 PM.

24th February 2009, 06:15 PM	#33
Hindmost Guest Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Draco Tavern Posts: 3,317	Originally Posted by technoextreme How is that the hard part? Anyone with an education can stand in front of students and regurgitate their brain. Try getting in front of a high school class or a middle school class and see how many are inspired. You will get to know your students fairly well... Give is a shot--see if you can survive--most don't. glenn

24th February 2009, 07:28 PM	#34
technoextreme Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3,786	Originally Posted by Hindmost Anyone with an education can stand in front of students and regurgitate their brain. Well you thats where you and I differ. A good teacher doesn't regurgitate their brain. The most painful lesson of my life.
	__________________ It's amazing how many of these "paranormal" icons seem to merge together. There always seem to be theories about how they link together in some way. I'm sure someone has a very good explanation as to how Bigfoot killed JFK to help cover Roswell.-Mark Mekes This isn't rocket surgery.-Bill Nye Last edited by technoextreme; 24th February 2009 at 07:29 PM.

25th February 2009, 10:39 AM	#35
Morrigan Crone of War Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 6,879	Originally Posted by technoextreme Is it really that big of a skill? The only real thing I've ever needed to have teaching people is patience. The other problem is knowing what the hell you are talking about. Um wow, you are so completely wrong about this. I suggest you give up.
Morrigan Crone of War Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 6,879