Brene Brown is a research professor at the University of Texas who studies human courage, shame, vulnerability, and empathy. Back in 2010, which seems just like yesterday when we think about the fact we are about enter a new decade, she gave a TEDx presentation on the power of vulnerability and talks about the disconnection that people have due to powers such as shame and suppression of emotions because of fear of being vulnerable. If you haven't seen this video, I highly encourage you to check it out! As a brief disclaimer, I am no researcher on the particular science that is what goes on sub-consciously. Nonetheless, I believe understanding what happens when we are vulnerable and when we suppress emotions to avoid being vulnerable is essential when we are a teacher.
Speaking from personal experiences, I can't tell you the number of times I've had a mess-up in my cooperating teaching experiences. In hindsight, those moments are absolutely the easiest thing to focus on, which can lead to shame- which Brown defines as the fear of disconnection, and the fear of not being enough. As a musician, I think we can take that fear of disconnection to a different level, being as it is our job to connect music and convey a message.
I like to say that I am my biggest fan but also my worst critic simply because I think I can always do better. While I say this, I also think it is very easy for musicians to become fearful of not being enough. Understanding that vulnerability and being willing to accept critique is vital to our development. As an educator, however, I believe we often see a suppression of vulnerability in our students simply because they don't want to be be that person that is potentially wrong and leave them open to persecution by their peers. This can become a problem for not only a general education classroom but for teaching music, as having that connection shot down by the shame Brown refers to in her presentation can lead to a non-collaborative music making environment.
Vulnerability is a vital part of the classroom and it must be something that we as educators must embrace. I encourage you to take your armor off in front of your students and say, "Sorry. I made a mistake, and will do better". Showing this level of vulnerability to your students is a way to build a strong connection with your students and help them understand that no one is completely perfect, and that is okay. Student's shouldn't be afraid to get something wrong, as their error allows us to become not only more empathetic, but better educators by helping them not feel shameful.
Works Cited:
Brown, Brené. “The Power of Vulnerability.” TED, June 2010, www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_the_power_of_vulnerability.
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