by Tim Driver

Created on: April 28, 2008

When climbing Mt. Everest, what difference does a guide make? Someone who knows the path well, can point out shortcuts to avoid or take, depending, while at the same time giving one a sense of safety and security. A teacher does nothing less for students. Teachers keep students away from cliffs that are often unseen by the untrained eye. It is a masterful art that I have enjoyed for 20 years at the junior high, high school, and college levels. Here are ways that teachers make a difference.

Passion for learning-

A true teacher will not teach kids WHAT to learn, but HOW to learn. If someone is teaching US History and the student is not particularly enamored with the subject, they should still come away with a sense of HOW to study it, for a time when they ARE interested in a particular discipline. A teacher accomplishes this by having a passion for what they teach. It instills a fire in students to enjoy the learning itself ever bit as much as what information is taught.

Passion for subject-

In addition, teachers provide passion for what they are teaching. Had it not been for two teachers in had in high school, I never would have even considered history and political science as a choice of study. They were so knowledgeable, and made the topic so enjoyable, their enthusiasm for history became contagious. From history to home economics, if you ask adults why they chose a particular field of study or career, often times you will hear about a teacher that excited them about it.

Passion for service-

Teachers serve. Not just content, but character. They are interested in the growth and maturing of human beings. Beyond just delivering lessons in language arts, they provide life lessons as well. By their guiding, nurturing, listening, parenting, counseling, and befriending, teachers make a difference in the REAL lives of students beyond just the academic realm. This reminder is enjoyably delivered with each wedding invitation or birth announcement of past learners. It tells teachers that they are welcome into the lives of past pupils as a friend. It is equally delivered when someone turns to them for help later in life.

When examining the difference teachers make, if all one sees is the information they distributed, only the bottom of the list has been explored. The higher end duties that teachers perform keeps filling future generations with knowledge, yes, but more importantly inspiration, hope, and lifelong learning.

Learn more about this author, Tim Driver.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.