The Tact of Teaching: The Meaning of Pedagogical Thoughtfulness (Suny Series, the Philosophy of Education)

This thought-provoking book offers an original perspective on the meaning and practice of teaching as a reflective activity. Max van Manen defines pedagogical thoughtfulness as the way that educators grow, change, and deepen themselves as a result of reflecting on living with children. He shows how the processes of teaching require tact --an interpretive intelligence, a practical moral intuitiveness, a sensitivity and openness toward the child's subjectivity, and an improvisational resoluteness in dealing with children. All teachers -- current and future -- who are concerned about the "caring" aspects of their work will be inspired by this text.