In today's "Consejos" column of the Houston Chronicle, I ran across this quote:

Confucius said it best: "By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest."

I agree that often experience is a bitter teacher. I'm thinking of my first year in the classroom when I probably did a grand total of five hours of classroom observation of experienced teachers the whole year, and I had no time to reflect about my own practice. I'm not sure if I "learned wisdom" but the grueling nature of that first year certainly wised me up!

I'm left wondering what it means that reflection is "noblest".

I facilitated the peer observation portion of a New CFG Coach Institute for Teach For America teachers and leaders a few weeks ago. I arrived at the seminar site during a break. Most of the participants were relaxing outside of the classrooms and a clear majority were talking on their cell phones. Although it is not at all unusual to see a person with a cell phone stuck to his ear, I was struck that talking on the phone during a break was certainly the norm for this group.

It made me wonder if they were missing out on strengthening new relationships and critical friendships since they were so attached to the friends they already have. They were so bent on keeping in touch electronically that they lost touch with the people around them.