The Value Of Teachers, Teaching and Education

Who is a teacher? A teacher is a person who helps others to acquire knowledge, competencies or values. Teachers can be referred to using a variety of titles such as educator, tutor, instructor, schoolteacher, master, mistress, coach, trainer, lecturer, professor, don, fellow, reader, academic, guide, mentor, coun­selor, schoolman, and so forth.

Teaching is a noble work with good incentive. It is indeed a most vital profession. Teachers lay the es­sential foundation for a person’s ed­ucation. Even the best professors at the most prestigious universities are indebted to teachers who took time and effort to prime and cultivate their desire for education, knowl­edge and understanding. In fact, all top policymakers in the public and private sectors have been taught by a teacher at some point in their lives.

A good education is very import­ant. In the Holy Scriptures, for ex­ample, we are strongly encouraged to acquire wisdom. For example, in Proverbs Chapter 3, Verse 21 [b], we read: “Safeguard practical wisdom and thinking ability.” Also, Prov­erbs 4:7 says: “Wisdom is the most important thing, so acquire wisdom, and with all you acquire, acquire understanding.” Wisdom implies a breadth of knowledge and a depth of understanding. The Biblical sense of wisdom lays emphasis on sound judgement, based on knowledge and understanding; the ability to use knowledge and understanding successfully to solve problems, avoid or avert dangers, attain certain goals, or counsel others in doing so.

Education is closely related to wis­dom and understanding in the sense thateducationinvolvesthegradualpro­cess of acquiring knowledge and un­derstanding. Education holds the key to a better life. Joseph Addison (1711) said: “What sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to the soul.”

Why do we need teachers? “Bet­ter than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teach­er,” says a Japanese proverb. Teach­ers provide education for all ages, children to adults, and in a diverse field of studies. Teachers work hard to inspire, guide, educate and mentor us every day. Teaching is an inspir­ing profession that leaves a lasting impact on every child’s life, no mat­ter how big or small it may seem. By raising awareness of the importance of teaching and the current issues affecting teachers, the hope is that it will in turn improve the quality of education.

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The teaching profession, it has to be admitted though, is a demanding one which presents many challeng­es. Being a teacher is not at all easy. It demands a great deal of self-sacri­fice. Also, with the declining econo­my, life has not been easy for many teachers. And poor remuneration has always discouraged people from moving into the teaching profession. Nevertheless, despite the difficulties and drawbacks, many teachers still persevere in their chosen profession.

So, how do you define a good teacher? Is it a person who can de­velop a child’s memory so that he can repeat facts and pass tests? Or is it a person who teaches one to question, to think, and to reason? Who helps a child to become a better citizen? . . . Unless a teacher is convinced of the value of education and is also interested in young people, it is im­possible for him or her to become a good, successful, motivated and sat­isfied teacher. A good teacher instills confidence in those he teaches and makes learning a fascinating chal­lenge. A good teacher recognizes each student’s potential and knows how to make it blossom and flourish. To get the best out of each child, the teacher must discover what interests or motivates him or her and what makes the child tick, and a dedicated teacher must love children. William Ayers, a teacher, said: “Good teach­ing requires most of all, a thought­ful, caring teacher committed to the lives of students. Good teaching is not a matter of specific techniques or styles, plans or actions. . . .Teaching is primarily a matter of love.”

Additionally, the book ‘Where There Is No Doctor,’ a health care handbook authored by David Wer­ner, has this to say about teaching: “The art of teaching is the most im­portant skill a person can learn. To teach is to help others grow, and to grow with them. A good teacher is not someone who puts ideas into oth­er people’s heads; he or she is some­one who helps others build on their own ideas, to make new discoveries for themselves.” The book goes on to say: “People do not learn much from what they are told. They learn from what they think, feel, discuss, see, and do together. So the good teacher does not sit behind a desk and talk at people. He talks and works with them. He helps his people to think clearly about their needs and to find suitable ways to meet them. He looks for every opportunity to share ideas in an open and friendly way.”

However, while so much is expect­ed of the teaching profession, so of­ten the dedicated educators in our schools receive little public praise for their efforts. Have you, as a student or parent, ever thanked a teacher for the time, effort and interest shown? Or even sent a thank-you note or let­ter? It is good to note that teachers thrive on commendation too. The government, parents and students should highly esteem teachers and their services.

How grateful we should be to those women and men who provoked our curiosity, who stirred our minds and hearts, who showed us how to satisfy our thirst for knowledge and understanding – our teachers!