“Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.”
This quotation is from Miles Kington (1941-2008). He was a British journalist, humorist, musician, and broadcaster. Miles Kington website. Additional quotes from Miles Kington.
This quote is for all the newly graduated teachers who will embark upon their education career this upcoming school year. You have received a tremendous amount of knowledge through course work, research projects, methods, Praxis content and pedagogy exams, student teaching and/or field experiences. Unfortunately, you do not have the wisdom of seasoned 10, 20, or 25-year career teaching professionals. All that knowledge will only get you so far through the instructional day. Personally, I ran out of my knowledge 40 minutes into 1st period my first day of teaching.
However, you do have wisdom in one area that no one else possesses...yourself. You know you better than anyone else. You have been with you since the beginning and have watched all of your triumphs, failures, embarrassments, accomplishments, mistakes, highs, lows, good times and bad.
You know (or should by now) how you will react in certain situations; what you like and don’t like; what you are good at and what you are not; where you are strong and where you are weak; what causes you to you laugh and what makes you furious; what kind of people you gravitate towards and who you steer away from; where you are confident and where you need to grow and develop.
This wisdom that you have can be a great asset as you begin your teaching career. Let the wisdom of yourself merge with your knowledge and together they will guide and influence your instructional delivery.
This is the time before the school starts to be reflective of your life up to this point. Have a real introspection and in-depth conversation to give yourself credit where deserved, face the facts when necessary, be aware of where you need development, and be informed and confident in your natural gifts and abilities.
Allow the collective years of the wisdom of you be a guide so you can best deliver instruction, be a positive influence on students, and be a collaborative colleague. Doing so will make your first year of teaching a very enjoyable and rewarding experience.