An inspiring teacher

An echo across the years

My 9th grade world civilizations teacher had an impact on my understanding of the role of the teacher. He taught well, though today we would say his methods were traditional and outdated. He was a strict taskmaster and disciplinarian, yet he helped my classmates and me learn important lessons about who we were and who we could become.

We saw Mr. M. as a historian with a tremendous amount of knowledge about his subject; his lessons were intricately prepared and delivered with an actor’s timing. When he spoke about Chinese dynasties or African economic development he gave the sense that there was no limit to his knowledge. However, a comment he made mid lesson, in 1973, while he held us rapt in the flow of his storytelling, embodied much of what he believed in. He said, quite simply, that we would go far beyond him in learning and understanding. To hear, from someone we admired, that he was only laying a platform on which we could further build was very empowering. He was not threatened by our questions, or by our successes. He told us he knew only a little of what could be learned, and he would help us access that world of knowledge, which was not inside of him.

I did become a history teacher and adapted some of his methods. Some of his storytelling skill must have rubbed off on me. Once as I narrated a story about life on the Mayflower to my own audience of 12 year olds, one rapt listener said that the story sounded so real he wondered if I had been there. The Mayflower, part of colonial US history, sailed in 1620! Also, I have tried to imitate his organization and preparation and other demonstrations of his dedication.

There were other lessons, too. He taught about respecting others, and how to behave so we could always respect ourselves. He encouraged self discipline and self challenge. Of all the lessons, however, the one I want to live is that a teacher should not stand over students, keeping them down, but support them from underneath, helping them to grow and reach their full potential.