There are two main categories of bamboo that is found in the wild which is composed of over 140 different types of bamboo plants. As probably assumed by the name, Clumping bamboo grows spreading slowly while Running bamboo grows spreading at moderate to fast paces. The Amphimorph is a rare third category, which is a combination of Clumping and Running bamboo. In addition to the various types of bamboo in existence, the environment in which they are planted can make a drastic impact on the appearance of the plant. The soil, climate, water, and a few other factors attribute to the height and circumstance of each plant. One condition that every bamboo plant has in common is regarding its development. The germination process begins with the seed covered with soil receiving sufficient amounts of water and sunlight. Most plants will develop and begin to emerge from underneath the soil within a few weeks if not days.
The Chinese bamboo plant develops just a little bit different. If you planted a bamboo seed and checked on it a few weeks later there would not be any observable difference in development. Those weeks would combine to form a month, then a year, and still no sign of development. As a few years pass, and the seed is believed to be dormant, on the bamboo seedling will pierce the soil during its 5th year of germination! If you were a bamboo farmer there is one thing you should know for sure. Your level of patience and your respect for time will be developed. Once the bamboo sapling starts to grow, some species can reach almost 90 feet in height within six weeks! You may be contemplating what is occurring during the first five years of growth, just know that it is taking place, just not in a way that is readily observable. A strong root system is being developed that expands both deep and wide that can sustain the plant during its rapid growth.
The bamboo tree could not sustain its own life as it grew if the time was not spent allowing the foundation to be developed. This same concept can be applied to our students across the country as they grow and develop. Functioning as gardeners, Educators can cultivate the soil and patiently work with their students as they move from just meeting to exceeding our expectations. Students have their personal goals, which we as Educators can help them develop the character needed to achieve, that they strive towards despite any struggles or obstacles. As their character strengthens, they develop a foundation needed to handle an even greater level of success. If a growing bamboo is dug out or emerges too soon then it will perish, and that is the same in life. If a student achieves an extreme level of success in a short time span or if it is not authentic, then they will collapse under pressure or when any opposition faces them. That is why “the two most powerful warriors are patience and time” as stated by Leo Tolstoy!
As Educators, we can also compare our students to a caterpillar in its cocoon. If a caterpillar is prevented from creating a cocoon or removed prematurely then it will be forced to live a life crawling on the surface of the earth. Once the caterpillar starts to emerge from the butterfly, if it is assisted then it could possibly die. It is the slow arduous struggle out of the cocoon that strengthens the wings of the butterfly that gives its wings the muscle tension needed for it to allow for flight. Whether we are discouraged by what appears to be a lack of progress or an everlasting ongoing fight, just know that with time and patience we will develop our students into strong warriors. In the process, we too will strengthen our character and be able to achieve goals that were not even initially established. Once we allow time to run its course and our character to be molded by patience, then we will become warriors that yield even greater warriors. It is then that we can be crowned with the title of being a Next Level Educator!
The Jeremy Anderson Group