by Richard Serra

Created on: September 30, 2008

Having never had the privilege of being a teacher, I can only offer what comes to mind when I think of "what" is the best teacher, and I would think that "experiences" both good and bad are what gives us the best lesson in life. However, when it comes to "who" may be the best teacher, I'd have to go with the one who can reach back into his or her own memory archives so as to remember what they felt got their attention in their childhood from those who taught them.

Teachers who can do that are in a much better position to relate to their students, because they can draw from their own experience in what it takes to make a child take in what is necessary for the child to learn. This of course would hold true only if their teaching skills are up to par with the rest in their profession. So the combination of knowledge on how to reach a student along with normal teaching skills go hand in hand in defining what would be considered one of the best teachers.

I recall a teacher who was able to hold the attention of every student in his class, because he knew how to reach us via his ability to communicate what ever it was he wanted, in such a way that it made it so easy to learn. I guess the only way I can draw a parallel, is like how confusing it is to read the owners manual of a high tech piece of electronics, compared to someone being there to show us every step of the way.

This teacher made learning so easy, it was as though he was able to put himself in the drivers seat of our minds, and we knew automatically how to get where we should be. Step by step, all in a manner that was conducive for easy learning, he would breeze through each of the topics as though he was a service tech walking you through your trouble shooting of a PC.

Not only was he a very creative teacher, he was also a great guy as well, and the reason I say that was because he was well liked and respected by all his students. He had respect for all of us, and in turn we showed him all the respect he deserved. He had a great personality that rounded out his great teaching ability, which to me was the reason why so many students wanted to be in his class whether they normally would like the subject or not.

Taking a subject that you normally don't care for, just to be in a class that is taught by someone who could make it interesting enough to enjoy learning, says a lot for that teacher. The bottom line is that no matter how good or knowledgeable a teacher may be when it comes to knowing the subject he or

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