The transformative genius of teaching: Vulnerability, growth, and third space

In the sheer vulnerability of standing in front of a group as a “teacher,” we come face-to-face with our own insecurities, fears, and personal challenges. Teaching isn’t just about imparting knowledge—it’s about growth, for both teacher and student.

When we teach—when we truly engage with others in meaningful ways—our own pain and unresolved issues often come to the surface. These moments can be messy, but they’re also opportunities for healing, transformation, and connection.

From Teaching to Learning Together

In high school, I once told my 10th-grade math teacher that I would NEVER be a teacher because it would be boring to say the same things over and over again.

But life has a way of teaching us unexpected lessons. My love for teaching grew when I realized that at my best, I wasn’t just a teacher—I was a learner with my students.

When I approached teaching from this perspective, everything changed. The classroom became a space of discovery, curiosity, and shared growth. Instead of standing as the sole authority, I stepped into the flow of learning alongside my students. This shift made my teaching more impactful, more alive, and more transformative.

The Power of Third Space in Teaching

This dynamic exchange between teacher and student creates what I call Third Space—a place of shared discovery and expanded wisdom.

Third Space is where we leave behind rigid roles of “teacher” and “student” and step into a larger field of possibility. It’s where:

• Vulnerability meets connection: Both teacher and student bring their authentic selves to the experience.
• Learning becomes mutual: Insights flow in both directions, creating a richer and more meaningful exchange.
• Wisdom emerges: The space allows for intuitive breakthroughs and creative solutions that neither party could have accessed alone.

When we teach from Third Space, we open the door to deeper transformation—not just for our students, but for ourselves.

Teaching as a Sacred Exchange

Teaching is more than delivering lessons; it’s a sacred exchange between people. It asks us to meet others where they are, to embrace the uncertainty of the unknown, and to create a shared space for exploration and growth.

It also requires us to face ourselves. The act of teaching pushes us to confront our own limitations, stretch beyond them, and continually expand our understanding of the world and those we serve.

At its best, teaching is life meeting life. It’s a calling that invites us to step into something greater, to embrace both the vulnerability and the beauty of shared learning.

In this way, teaching transforms us. It’s not just about changing others—it’s about being changed, together, in the process.