missiles. When they go after you they’re following a primal instinct.

It is the function of the young to get rid of their elders, to make

room on the planet. You know that, don’t you? The Greeks knew

it. Read the Greeks.

must have decided where you’ll be — “posture and placement” — and

who you’ll be — “identity and image.” I never knew teaching could

be that complicated. He said, You simply cannot teach unless you

know where to position yourself physically. That classroom can be

your battleground or your playground. And you have to know who

you are. Remember Pope: “Know thyself, presume not God to scan /

The proper study of mankind is man.” First day of your teaching you

are to stand at your classroom door and let your students know how

happy you are to see them. Stand, I say. Any playwright will tell you

that when the actor sits down the play sits down. The best move of

all is to establish yourself as a presence and to do it outside in the hall-

way. Outside, I say. That’s your territory and when you’re out there

you’ll be seen as a strong teacher, fearless, ready to face the swarm.

That’s what a class is, a swarm. And you’re a warrior teacher. It’s

something people don’t think about. Your territory is like your aura,

it goes with you everywhere, in the hallways, on the stairs and,

assuredly, in the classroom. Never let them invade your territory.

Never. And remember: teachers who sit or even stand behind their

desks are essentially insecure and should try another line of work.

outside of a Victorian novel. I promised myself that when I became

a teacher I’d use the word, too. It had an important sound to it that

would make people sit up and pay attention.

little platform with your podium and your desk and talk for an hour

with everyone before you making notes and if you had any kind of

good looks or personality the girls would be tripping over themselves

to see you afterward in your office or anywhere else. That’s what I

thought at the time.