Not everyone knows what it is like to be the odd man out. Lacking fit. I am used to it in lots of ways. Outside of education discussions, my most persistent experience with this is when I buy clothes. You see, I am built for speed. Not too high off of the ground so as to incur headwinds. I have been known to hit the gym. So when I need, say, a shirt this is often the beginning of a bit of an adventure. The best method to get around this is to know what brands and what stores make clothes that fit my body type. In the case of clothing that cannot be tried on, like a new Jiu Jitsu gi, I have to call or send an email. It usually goes like this:
I’ll never find my size
What size gi should I order?
Have you looked at the sizing chart?
Yes. I’m 5’7″ and 210 lbs.
Well, which is it?
What?
If you’re 5’7″ you should get an A2.
But I’m 210 lbs.
Oh. Well, I guess you can buy an A3 and try to shrink it.
Now try getting a dress shirt with 32 arms and a seventeen and a half inch neck. This sums up a lot of areas in my life.
You know? I can’t get behind that.
Classrooms are not designed for class activities, they are designed for class sizes. Seated.
I can’t get behind that.
Curricula are designed for tests. Or teachers.
I can’t get behind that.
Teachers are prepared for management.
I can’t get behind that.
Education is designed for compliance and one path is the best and variants are considered failures.
I can’t get behind that.
It is 2014 and we are not required to accept everything that is given to us. To fit. It is time to rebel. We can no longer accept the teacher who is not also an activist and advocate.
Passivity is acceptance. Endorsement. Establish the rule of engagement. Engage. Fight.
Dig into Goodness of Fit. Seek to understand why we do not have to fit.
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