Life Is Calling All Of Us To Be Teachers

Nearly two years ago, I published a book on teaching, Getting Messy: A Guide to Taking Risks and Opening the Imagination. At its core, the book explores teaching as a creative and transformative process—a journey of learning alongside our students. By approaching teaching as a shared inquiry, we stay renewed, recharged, and inspired.

Teaching as a Shared Process of Discovery

This perspective shifts everything. When we teach as learners, we connect with something bigger than ourselves—a “third thing” that guides the process. This third space opens us to new possibilities, alleviating the burnout, fear, and anxiety that arise when we feel the weight of teaching rests entirely on our shoulders.

When we think we must have all the answers, stay in control, and deliver perfection, teaching becomes exhausting. But accessing the “third thing” creates spaciousness. It allows us to breathe, to let go of ego-driven expectations, and to teach from our hearts rather than our linear minds.

Moving Beyond the Teacher-Student Polarity

Traditional teaching often creates a polarity: the teacher as the expert with authority and control, and the students as passive vessels waiting to be filled with knowledge. This dynamic, however well-intentioned, introduces a tension that’s hard to fully resolve.

When we step into third space, we transcend this dichotomy. Teaching and learning become a collaborative process, dissolving roles and creating a shared journey of discovery. Beauty, grace, and inspiration naturally flow into the room, transforming the experience into something far greater than the sum of its parts.

The Profound Mystery of Teaching

As the Bible says, “When two or more are present, there I am in your midst.” While I don’t identify as religious, I’ve always held this truth close in my teaching. The third thing—that creative, collaborative force—is where the true beauty of teaching and learning resides.

Find Support for Your Teaching Journey

I hope Getting Messy serves as a source of support and inspiration for those who feel called to teach. By embracing teaching as a creative and shared process, we open the door to something truly transformative.

You can find Getting Messy: A Guide to Taking Risks and Opening the Imagination on Amazon by clicking here.