Henry James, an American author in the late 1800’s-early 1900’s is quoted as saying, “A teacher affects eternity: he [she] can never tell where his [her] influence stops.” This has certainly been my experience. At all levels of education (K-12, college, medical school, residency training and still to the present day), teachers have provided that stability needed for life-long learning and fueled an enthusiasm for life-long learning. Teachers have provided the sustenance and the spark for this exciting journey.
My love of science, geography, fiction, history, and even parasites (and so many more things) can be attributed to teachers. From my quirky high school chemistry teacher, I learned the joy of how chemicals interact. A junior high teacher’s insistence on learning all of the countries of Africa showed me that there was a vast world beyond my narrow view of the world. Some might see the latter exercise as a waste of time, but I would argue that it was quite the opposite in the right hands. That teacher (whose name I have forgotten) can be credited with sparking a broader view of our world and, by extension, a broader view of our joint humanity. That teacher never knew where his influence stopped but the good news is that it went farther than he ever dreamed.
We can all reflect back on our lives and see the influence of teachers in our lives in so many ways – our learning, our social skills, our community activities, and our eventual understanding of their love for us. I had previously emphasized the importance of senior citizens (or sages) contributing to our society, but perhaps I have underemphasized the importance of teachers and the five M’s of teaching.1 Let me highlight what I mean by discussing the five M’s of teaching.
- Teachers are our motivators. Teachers understand the need to push us to learn, to be eager about learning. Learning is not just something that is accomplished in grades 1 through 12. Learning is a life-long activity and the impetus for that learning has to occur in our early years of instruction.
- Teachers are our mobilizers. Teachers direct our energies in a positive way to get engaged in society. Teachers can truly “light that fire” to get us going in so many different directions and be positive contributors to society in the future, i.e., good citizens.
- Teachers are our monitors. We will not always do the right thing. Teachers can be there to help correct our actions and guide us through the complex maze of learning right from wrong. None of us is perfect and that is why we need instruction.
- Teachers are our mediators. Often times we find our fellow students and ourselves engaged in some type of conflict, minor or major, that needs resolution. Teachers can help us see these conflicts and work through these issues. Conflict resolution is one of the most difficult issues in our society and needs constant attention and further bolstering. Teachers can indeed be the mediators of this process.
- Teachers are our mentors. Teachers are there to help guide and lend a steady hand to our development. Whether one enters the work force or pursues higher education after high school does not matter as much as making sure that one proceeds down those paths in a positive way. Teachers can be the role model and source of guidance to direct students appropriately. Indeed, Dr. Sam Katz was such a role model for me at the advanced age of 26 – and his guidance continues to this day.2
Parents are, of course, the primary teachers. Learning to be a good citizen is a joint venture of parenting and our public schools. Yet I think public school teachers are sorely underappreciated. Teachers play such an important role, yet undervalued role, in our society. The ultimate teacher that so many look up to is Jesus Christ. Followers of the Christian Faith are students of His instruction and responsible for spreading the Good News. His instruction has truly affected eternity. Other faiths provide similar leaders and prophets leading to eternal trust and faithful actions.
It is interesting that my last blog post on corporal punishment prompted the remarks below from a reader.3 He was commenting about the need for more basic instruction about how to be a good citizen and learning to take care of others.
We all live in a wonderful country (especially if compared to so many places in the world). But, if I have to point out one not-so-optimal aspect, it would be early/primary education. Teaching is, after motherhood, the most important job in any society. Unfortunately, teachers are, generally, undervalued and underpaid. So, if a child does not have a “solid” home setting, the next “safety net” is the school. And good teachers are this next “safety net” that can instill discipline, respect, knowledge and therefore decrease the need for punishment in the first place. Naturally, there are exceptions in any setting – but one can surely agree on the fact that violence, in general, will generate more violence. And in the case of schools, detract from their original mission.
He concurs with the notion that corporal punishment in schools can lead to an unintended vicious cycle of physical violence and be counterproductive in our society. So, teachers can be one of the competent, stable, nurturing voices speaking to children and demonstrating the “discipline, respect, [and] knowledge” that children need from our schools. But this will only occur if we value the profession, providing appropriate compensation and support that teachers need.
As we work together to improve our lives and the life of our community, let us cherish the contributions of our teachers. Let us remember that teachers “affect eternity.” Their involvement in our lives and their influence never stops. Look at your teachers and say thank you. Accept their instruction and be a better person from it.
- https://mychildrenschildren.com/mmsand-mmms/
- https://mychildrenschildren.com/why-mentors-matter-a-tribute-to-dr-sam-katz/
- https://mychildrenschildren.com/ban-corporal-punishment-in-schools/