The world as co-teacher: Learning to work with a peerless colleague

Abstract

This papers focuses on the stories of two aboriginal people who in their own particular ways have taught us a tremendous amount. Through sharing their stories we will work towards supporting our claim suggest that the world as co-teacher can be understood as being more than just a metaphor. The paper extends this discussion into the work of philosophers Martin Buber and Benedictus Spinoza adding another layer to the compost pile are building. We end this discussion by suggesting a series of implications that result with regard to teaching, learning, and possibly beyond that are a result of this seeming minor shift from the other-than-human-world as backdrop for education to active co-teacher for our students and even ourselves.