Consistency or Complacency? The Way of the Cell: Lessons from Cells on Teaching, Change, and Growth

By: Ihab O. Ismail, Ph.D.

| Host of New Podcast: The Education Architects with Ihab |

Launching April 18, 2025

Founder | College Prep By Design

Friday February 21, 2025

Jeffrey Cufaude recently shared an insightful thought on LinkedIn:

"Finding comfort and #Value from something constant and consistent doesn't automatically equate to 'stuck on the status quo' or resistant to change, particularly during stressful or turbulent times."

His words resonated deeply with me as an educator. For a long time, I equated consistency with complacency in the classroom. I worried that using the same instructional methods, assessments, or content year after year meant I was resisting innovation or failing to evolve as a teacher. However, much like the way cells function in biology, I’ve come to realize that stability and change are not opposites—they are interdependent forces that drive meaningful growth.

In biology, cells are the foundation of life. Their ability to balance consistency and adaptation ensures survival. DNA provides a stable set of instructions, allowing cells to function predictably. But life is not static—cells undergo mutations, regulatory shifts, and environmental adaptations to ensure they remain viable. If a cell refuses to change when necessary, it risks obsolescence or dysfunction. If it changes too radically without regard for stability, it can become chaotic or even destructive.

This same delicate balance applies to education.

Is That Old Genetics Test Consistency or Complacency?

Imagine a biology teacher who has used the same genetics test for years. Is this an example of maintaining valuable consistency, or is it an instance of complacency?

The answer depends on whether the test still serves its function effectively. If it reliably assesses core genetic principles, allowing students to demonstrate their understanding in meaningful ways, then it plays a role akin to DNA—preserving essential knowledge that has stood the test of time. Students, like organisms, thrive with predictable structures that provide stability and confidence.

However, if the test remains unchanged despite advancements in genetics, new ethical dilemmas in biotechnology, or shifting ways students engage with information, it may be hindering rather than fostering growth. In this case, it lacks the adaptability that cells embody through evolution. It becomes the equivalent of genetic material that refuses to mutate, leaving students unprepared for the real-world complexities of science.

The question, then, is not whether consistency is good or bad but what should remain consistent and what should evolve.

Rituals vs. Rigidity: Lessons from Cellular Function

Biological systems have built-in mechanisms to distinguish between necessary stability and needed change. Homeostasis ensures key functions remain stable—just as educational rituals (such as structured assessments, clear expectations, and proven instructional strategies) provide a sense of reliability for students. However, cells also undergo programmed cell death (apoptosis) when outdated or malfunctioning components outlive their usefulness. In education, old systems and structures must sometimes be “programmed to die” to make room for new, more effective ones.

A healthy educational system, like a well-functioning organism, must:

• Preserve the core functions that provide stability. Reliable instructional methods, fundamental learning principles, and effective engagement strategies should remain intact if they continue to serve students well.
• Recognize when outdated methods are no longer serving their purpose. Just as cells undergo apoptosis, educators must be willing to let go of ineffective or outdated practices.
• Embrace change in response to new discoveries. Scientific breakthroughs, advancements in learning psychology, and shifts in student needs should inform curriculum and pedagogy.

When done thoughtfully, this balance doesn’t create chaos—it creates adaptability with purpose.

Evolving Without Losing the Core

What Should Remain Consistent in Education?

?? Fundamental Learning Principles – Clear goals, structured assessments, and well-researched instructional methods provide stability.

?? A Focus on Student Growth – Just as cells prioritize efficiency, education should prioritize student learning over rigid adherence to tradition.

?? Core Content Knowledge – Certain scientific principles, mathematical truths, and literacy skills remain relevant across time.

What Must Evolve?

?? How We Teach – Instructional strategies should adapt based on research, technology, and student needs.

?? How We Assess Learning – Instead of outdated multiple-choice tests, we might integrate project-based learning, case studies, or real-world problem-solving to mirror advancements in the field.

?? How Students Engage – The rise of AI, biotechnology, and interdisciplinary learning means that traditional classroom boundaries must expand.

?? How We Design Learning Spaces – Just as cells function best in optimized environments, educational spaces should be designed to enhance collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. The architecture of schools—both physical and digital—should reflect modern educational needs, incorporating flexible workspaces, technology-integrated classrooms, and communal areas that foster discussion and innovation.

To Be Continued.......How Architecture Shapes Learning.

The student is at the heart of everything I do. We are all learners. How about you?