In this chapter, the speaker shares their transformative journey after retiring as an English professor, navigating significant health challenges including a heart transplant and a stroke. They reflect on the impact of these experiences on their communication skills and the importance of ongoing learning in both recovery and academic engagement.
James Lang reads his piece, Working the Gardens of Our Classrooms, on episode 529 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast.
Quotes from the episode
He quits worrying about whether Pangloss or Martin are correct, decides that he and his companions should turn their attention to the immediate work demanded by their current circumstances.
-James Lang
Writing is, number 1, a form of thinking, number 2, that produces learning, and 3, generates new ideas. That was true in 2000, and it’s true in 2024.
-James Lang
In the meantime, the gardens need tending. If you continue to believe in the value of the plants that have always flourished in your garden, keep growing them.
-James Lang