defining and illustrating “problem preference”

A “problem preference” is the kind of thing that you like working on. Often, you like it so much, or so much more than other things, that you’ll divert attention to this sort of problem from other more important, urgent, or useful problems to solve. 

Examples of problem preferences for K-12 teachers abound, because K-12 teaching is a large basket of problems, each of which draw on different skills. Some teachers’ problem preference is building relationships with kids; others can lose themselves, happily, in the planning of special events; others are data monsters who love designing tailored interventions. None of these are bad things to do; all are problems in the basket. 

Great teachers allocate their attention to these problems efficiently — they concentrate their attention on the most important things their students need from them, knowing those needs can vary by kid, class period, and school year.  The teacher’s preference matters but it doesn’t dominate.

-Eric