Reply to comment

The metaphor of inquiry as a horizontal plane, not a mountain with a reachable "peak" or pinnacle, was particularly compelling.  It not only implies that inquiry is a process experienced by all and attainable by students at all levels, but that it is a never-ending process. We never stop walking across this plane, regardless of what point we are at in our lives or how much we already know.  And since the learning process is constant, the possibility of the young teaching the old (or the "unintelligent" teaching the seasoned, academic veterans) becomes more likely.  It's all about embracing and accepting diversity of thought, gender, culture, and everything in between, which means letting students bring their unique views and contributions to the classroom. 

Which means teachers must be:

• patient
• self-restraining (In other words, let students express their full view before jumping in to correct them if they're "wrong!")
• willing to give up some authority
• not ashamed of putting themselves on the level of students who are "less educated" merely because of their lower status
• humble (They are in the process of learning, just like their students.)