A Test
There's a book I really enjoyed in which Charles Grodin free associates in short essays on life. I read it years ago (got it at The Strand Bookstore for half price) but certain strong statements stand out in my mind. Like the fact that he hates teachers. He did a good job of describing the negatives of the teachers he remembered. And he theorized that most people didn't have very positive takes on most 0f their teachers.
Anyone care to share about whether or not Grodin was right? Are your memories more positive, negative, or just there? What made the good teachers good and the bad teachers bad? Are there many good teachers out there? Explain your answer (in essay form). How would you react if your offspring told you they wanted to be a teacher? Would your reaction be different for a daughter than for a son? Write about how the answer to these questions about your offspring may relate to the situation at large? A friend of mine (married with 3 little kids) just left a great job at a law firm to teach in a Yeshiva. On one interview he was asked if his parents wanted to kill him.
Discuss.
posted by rabbi neil fleischmann @ 6:53 PM
6 Comments:
I think the "test" of a good teacher is whether he really enjoys it and cares about and believes in his students. I have had many wonderful teachers in the past, who have really influenced me in many ways. The best teacher I ever had encouraged me to ask questions, regardless of whether he had any answers to give. And he really believed in me, sometimes more than I believed in myself.
I am not sure how I would react to a child of mine wanting to be a teacher, but I was once asked if I would date a guy who teaches, because of the relatively low income in which he would make. My answer was absolutely, as long as that is what he loved doing and had a passion for.
I chose not to teach, despite my good experiences with my teachers, because I didn't think I would enjoy having to deal with such large groups all the time. I prefer a one-on-one setting. But I think a teacher can have a wonderful, positive influence on their students, and often do.
As a teacher myself I live the consequences of that choice and deeply respect the decision of others to go into the profession. Transmitting Torah, values, love,etc. are of infinite value even when society decides otherwise.
Thanks for the comments Shoshana and anonymous.
Anonymous, imagine what the world would be like if public servants were paid more than business, etc...
The low income thing is not as true as once. Social Work pays less than education.
Freud once said that there are three impossible jobs because they involve human growth - teacher, clergy, and therapist. I've pursued training for all 3.
Wow, great question. I had many wonderful teachers, and many horrible teachers. Some because of how they taught, and some because of their character or lack thereof. I even had a teacher who was wonderful and horrible, both in how she taught. I think my worst ever was the one in high school who sexually harassed me, and experienced no consequences. I should have made even more noise, (I was pretty assertive, considering.) but I didn't know how.
A good teacher is one who can engage the students to such an extent that they want to learn the information that is being presented to them. There needs to be a mutual respect between the students and the teacher. While the teacher is the head of the classroom and his or her authority must be respected by the students, the teacher must in turn respect the students who are being taught. All questions posed to the teacher must be treated with care because no matter how silly or trivial that question may seem, to the student it represents a vital piece of information that serves to capture his interest in the topic at hand.
I have had many good teachers over the years, but I've had many bad teacher as well. There are unfortunately all too many teachers who view themselves as the authority and the students as mere peons. Once that air of mutual respect is lost, he classroom seems more like a prison and each day becomes one day closer to the moment when you will be free.
As one of your former students from many years ago, I can honestly say that you fall into the category of a good teacher.
I agree with your assessment about mutual respect. I think a lot of schools from the top down don't view it that way. I want to hear my students. It's been said that learning is talking and teaching is listening. It may be a bit extreme but much closer to the truth than the common reverse practice.
It's been said that if there are no questions there can be no answers. Students - of any age - learn when they see a question and feel a need to pair it with an answer.
It's also been wisely remarked that if a teacher says that "I taught but they didn't learn," that's like a salesman saying "I sold all day but no-one bought." If no-one's buying then no-one's selling or teaching.
I very much appreciate that you commented. I value your assessment. I think it is very important and helpful when people give teachers sincere thank yous and/or kind words.
Four years after I sked these questions, anxious to pair them with answers you can along and made my night. Thank you.
I hope you are well, living a meaningful life, being a good human being.
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