Teaching Metaphor: The Teacher as a Fisherman

Teachers must prepare for their classrooms as fishermen prepare for their day out at sea. A fisherman must collect the proper materials for the day and know them well. He has a fully stocked tackle box with carefully planned lures and hooks because he knows his fish and what will draw their attention. He concentrates on preparation. He researches the weather conditions and knows what he will need on the boat. He wakes up early and prepares himself for a long day at sea. He must strategize with his fellow fishermen to best prepare for the day of fishing. Everyone pools their knowledge, as they are in the boat together.
The fisherman knows his fish well. He knows their environment and recognizes how the tides and temperatures shape the behaviors of the schools of fish. He prepares for that environment and plans his fishing tactics accordingly. Some days the environment is harsher than others. Some fishermen will turn back to shore; others will know the water well and will persevere through the storm. Some days will seem more appealing to the eye of the fisherman—clear, blue skies, great radio reports from other boats. But the dedicated fisherman knows that the fish are out every day, despite the conditions.
A true fisherman recognizes the beauty of every fish, rockfish to mud-toads, trout to sting rays. And every fish has the potential to get caught. Now our goal as teachers is not to lure our young “fish” with manipulative tactics only to hook them with false food. But we are called to provide the correct “lure” for individual students to engage them in a way that focuses them on the prize of learning. We also must accommodate for the different learning needs in our classroom. Students will need different “lures” and “hooks” to interest them in the learning process.
There are awards for teachers just as there are medals for fishing contests, but the true fisherman is out there for the fish.