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The common definition of a teacher is one who imparts knowledge. Webster does not define a teacher as one with a Master's Degree, nor as one who teaches as a profession. That in itself leaves the subject wide open.

A teacher is a parent, sibling, relative, friend, neighbor, spiritual leader, or, in this society, television, magazines, movies and the kid next door. How can this be, you ask. Easy say I.

Every time one person interacts with another, through any medium, information is imparted. Thus the dictionary definition of a teacher has been met. However, I am sure we will all agree that much more is needed to properly define a teacher.

My favorite teacher was Sister Mary Edith, who taught fifth grade. I still remember her writing a sentence across the blackboard in the front of the room and down the side wall to demonstrate parts of speech. This woman enjoyed English to such an extent that she believed all her students should feel the same way or, in lieu of a similar love, at least know an adverb from an article. That is the only day she lost her patience with a room full of girls and boys who would rather have been playing outside on that warm May afternoon, I remember feeling her frustration but also her desire to share fully her knowledge. That memory may be the best description I can write about an authentic teacher.

Several other exceptional teachers have left their imprint on me. One was a family friend who taught high school English. I could not begin to count the Scrabble games we played so she could improve my vocabulary. It never occurred to me to wonder why she chose to spend so much time with me. Obviously I was not her intellectual equal at age thirteen. What was it about her that made her stand out from the crowd and single me out? Obviously she shared a love of language and teaching with Sr. Mary Edith but why did these women devote their lives to teaching? More importantly, why were they such outstanding teachers who shared only a professional name with most of their peers?

Another teacher I remember fondly was a family friend who was one of my Dad's hunting partners. Each fall, the entire group would gather at our house for some target practice. One fall, Dad said I could accompany him if I stayed out of the way. I had just begun to learn to shoot and was the proud owner of a 22 caliber target rifle. Chet said I could not shoot skeet with my 22, so he let me use his new 12 gauge shotgun and promptly explained how to load it, hold it, sight it,and spent most of his time with me while the others took turns shooting and talking about the coming deer season. A few years later, Chet spent considerable time teaching me how to drive. He was not a teacher; he was a policeman. However, something in his personality melded the two professions within him and he, too, shared his love of his subjects with someone willing to learn. He shared on the same level as the two teachers I mentioned heretofore.

Certainly these were three outstanding persons, generous, intelligent, patient, knowledgeable and possessing another dozen qualities, qualities that made them stand apart from ordinary teachers. I am not a Webster, so I needed more than 600 words to define a teacher, but I feel I have more fully described "teacher" by not limiting the description to one who imparts knowledge.

Learn more about this author, Bette Wayne.
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