Delayed type-up: Reflections on the reading for 11 October: Critical Reflection

A habit of critical reflection is a valuable opportunity to reassess assumptions and expectations, routinely and periodically.
:The writer clearly has some baggage he's working through. He expresses massive frustration with his status quo, which appears to be a not-so-subtle attack on his own institution for making employees take on more than they can reasonably achieve, and his colleagues for taking it on and suffering through it out of a co-opted sense of obligation to learning and the students.
This is an interesting introductory reading. It includes regular reminders to keep your expectations for yourself, your students and your field reasonable. As an introduction to this class, for the author to remind us to get out of this what we can, adapt the course content and other materials/resources to your own challenges. Do not waste too much time searching for the perfect technique or solution: while a perfectly-applicable system or solution may exist, it is far more likely that you will have to invent something yourself, advised by these resources.
He reminds the reader that progressive-crunchy-granola solutions and techniques don't always work, that teaching which leaves too much room for student contribution opens itself to particular students dominating discussion and your attention (likely to the detriment of other learners/participants). Reminds me that students who rise to the top often would do so regardless of how they are taught. Likewise, disruptive, apathetic and distracted students likely will be so regardless of your enthusiasm for the subject. You're just not going to reach everyone, so keep your eye out to ensure that you've caught the majority. Make room for weaker, less pro-active and courageous students to succeed and grow if they actually want to. Don't beat yourself up over negative feedback if it is rare. (Maybe do something if it is frequent.)