Who makes a good teacher?
During a conversation today with a disciple of mine from the United States, I was asked a very important question: "Master, who makes a good teacher?"
My reply was plain and simple. "A good teacher is one whom his/her students can share their dreams with," I said.
Education today is almost dead. All teachers enter the classroom to teach, but not all serve as an inspiration to their students. Most teach for the sake of making a living but not many teach from the heart and out of passion.
If a teacher is merely an individual who passes knowledge to the student that are already available on textbooks and other sources, why would any student require a teacher in the first place? So long they can read, can they not just study on their own?
A teacher is an important figure in another individual's life and must therefore play a greater role than the mere passing down of knowledge. In my humble opinion, a teacher should be a student's pillar of support and ocean of inspiration. A good teacher should be able to offer his/her students something that is not found in the books.
Inspiration should be the first key for all teachers to take note of. One must appreciate that s/he is dealing with different individuals of different backgrounds and different levels of capabilities. Regardless of how weak or strong the student is in the field, a good teacher should always remember and appreciate that the student is an individual who possesses dreams and goals.
It is immaterial whether or not a teacher thinks the student has the capability to succeed. After all, the world has shown us innumerable times that a teacher's verdict of a student's ability to succeed is not a final sentence. Why do people not learn? Take some of the well-known personalities such as Jon Stone, Michael Heseltine, Max Clifford, Jilly Cooper, Mika, Einstein, Shakira, Sir John Gurdon and Joe Malone as examples - they were all told they would never amount to anything! So what gives an individual any right to judge?
I never believed in the word "impossible"! The very word suggests "I AM Possible!"
If a student has a positive dream, I believe the teacher should be able to inspire him/her to achieve it regardless of how 'ridiculous' it may seem in the teacher's mind. The end result is not dependent on what you think of your student but what s/he thinks of him/herself.
While family members play an important role in sculpting the idea of who one really is, more often than not, children or youngsters require an external confirmation regarding their individuality. They are usually more expressive when they are with strangers when they let their guard down as compared to when they are with their loved ones. That is why most individuals can share their innermost secrets with their friends but not with their family members in fear that they would be judged. And more often than not, judgments hurt more than inspire.
Imagine, if a young individual fears of being judged by their family for who s/he really wants to be or do, who else can s/he run to who can offer the adult wisdom that they need? So, the duty absolutely lies with the teacher to inspire the young one; to help them express their innermost desires and vision. Never look down on any individual's vision for you will never know the good they can serve others in the future. Guided well, their vision and dreams can create a snowball effect. You would have left a legacy and footprints in their hearts, which they will be passing on to the next generation by repeating the same gesture - believing in another person's dream and vision.
A teacher who keeps inspiring instead of putting his/her students down will always be respected. The positive frequency emanated cannot but touch the core of the individual's heart for even a personality made of ice can be melted with the warmth of genuine love or fire of enthusiasm.
Everything is possible. If a student's concept of themselves is what determines their success, shouldn't all teachers strive to ingrain the concept of self-confidence in every student? I have always believed in all of my disciples' or students' noble dreams regardless of their background and so-called 'capabilities'. I believe everyone is unique and my opinion(s) should only serve them to do better and not make them feel inadequate. In my eyes, every disciple or student is equal. It is completely up to the individual what s/he wants to make of him/herself and while they are at it, I will make sure my words push them to unleash their fullest potential and live up to their inner calling.
Love and light,
Genevieve
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NOTES
Sir John Gurdon
Won the Nobel Prize for Medicine was once told by his Biology teacher: "... I believe he has ideas about becoming a scientist; on his present showing this is quite ridiculous... it would be sheer waste of time, both on his part, and of those who have to teach him."
Shakira
The famous singer was rejected for the school choir because her music teacher reportedly said: "you sound like a goat."
Albert Einstein
Though a great scientist, he was also told by his teacher in 1895: "You will never amount to anything."
Gary Lineker
The highest scorer in the World Cup finals in 1986 was told by his teacher: "You're too interested in sports. You can't make a living out of football."
Ludwig van Beethoven
He is one of the most respected, influential and outstanding composers of all time and was taught by the best musicians. Yet, one of the best musicians during his training still thought that Beethoven "has learnt nothing, and will never do anything in decent style."
John Lennon
Was part of a very successful band - The Beatles. His teacher in Liverpool back then when he was younger however was convinced that Lennon was "certainly on the road to failure".
Charlotte Bronte
Her works have become standards of English Literature today. However, her teachers at Clergy Daughters' School in England back then underestimated her capabilities: "She writes indifferently... and knows nothing of grammar, geography, history or accomplishments."
The list goes on and on about how wrong teachers can be about their students' capabilities. It is therefore safer never to judge. Just inspire. Don't judge.
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