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Her name was Ms. Hacker. She was small in stature, probably a mere 5’4”. I remember she dressed as though she had stepped off of an Ivy League campus to teach third grade in a small, public elementary school, in a small Kentucky town. When she smiled, she did it genuinely. It was never coerced or strained.
What I remember best about Ms. Hacker was that she inspired me to question everything. This skill that she too exemplified was what grabbed my attention and made me pause. She’d drawn me in with her cavalier nature but managed to retain my total interest with her precision to detail. In her presence, I forgot that I was learning a school lesson, but rather, I was enjoying the experience of expanding my knowledge and thought process.
Nearly three decades have passed since I sat in Ms. Hacker’s classroom, but she carved out an indelible memory within me. She also set the bar high for every teacher that followed.
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There are good teachers out there, trying to make a difference, fighting powerful currents of negativity and often bogged down in policy and procedure. There are bad teachers out there, standing like zombies at the copier, treating students as afterthoughts, and counting down the days until summer break. Then there are the ultra-rare, unprecedented teachers who transform lives, inspire students and teachers alike, and create ripples within society’s fabric.
The underlying description of a teacher is that he or she is our children’s first wave of preparation and encouragement. It’s been thought that teachers are the gatekeepers of future generations and, ultimately, a deciding factor in the shaping of our great country. This can be pretty heavy material for a new teacher to unpack. A twenty-something rookie stepping into their first teaching job is usually ready to grab the tiger by the tail; but eventually, either through bureaucracy or personal or political wear, some have their luster to fade and teaching becomes a clock punching existence. I do not believe I am overstating the importance of our teachers. I cannot think of a single occupation that has as much at stake as educators. They are deserving of a harsh critique, but also unparalleled praise.
The art of teaching and style of learning has evolved, assisted by technology and technique. Chalk covered hands and slacks are no longer seen, having been traded in for digital touch screens and PowerPoints. Citing one’s sources has transitioned from referencing Encyclopedia Britannica to a wide array of online resources (I truly hope the norm is not Wikipedia.) ‘Showing your work’ and ‘cursive’ has become identifiers of a student’s demographic cohort. Discretely passing folded, paper notes during class has evolved into instantaneously sending boring, unimaginative text messages. The classroom is not the same as it was 20 years ago, and it will surely be different in yet another 20.
The one thing that will not change, no matter the class year, class size, or grade level taught, are the characteristics of a superb teacher. The alpha and omega of a teacher is to promote learning as a life-long journey. The act of learning doesn’t stop when you complete a particular class or school year. Great teachers pour this concept over their students, imprinting it on them like a proud tattoo. Second, elite teachers stress problem solving. The comical and common phrase ‘problem solving’ is underappreciated and underutilized. Children who learn to solve problems grow up to be adults who solve problems. This capability serves the student, their family, and their community. Lastly, upper echelon educators encourage their students to find their passion. They help them hone their skills, sharpen their God-given talents, and give them confidence to keep working at doing what they love.
Great teachers don’t wield axes, mercilessly chopping down weak trees. Instead, they tirelessly prepare the soil, place meek saplings down, and foster growth as best they can. No matter what outside variables may be trying to interfere, a teacher’s only concern is that their students grow strong. Teachers are the ultimate purveyor of personal growth and achievement. Selfless teachers do not rest until they are enveloped by sequoias, redwoods, ashes, and oaks, all proudly reaching towards the sky.
Those who choose to be teachers deserve our full support. I believe that every resource needed should be provided to them. I believe that teachers’ salaries should reflect the monumental job that they do for all of us. I believe that teachers are filled with a quiet understanding, knowing full well the implications of the job they’ve chosen, and yet still proceed anyways. I believe that the hard work of great teachers lives on in their pupils, years after they’ve retired, to yet again make lasting imprints on future generations.
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Whether Ms. Hacker knows it or not, her small spark of encouragement created a roaring fire, one of which continues to spread as I live my life. That’s the imposing power of a teacher.
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Photo: GettyImages