Feel The Responsiblity

Before I continue with the explanation of the connection with Robin Hood, Mr Walsh, and myself, I will continue for a blog, or two…. (okay possibly a few more than two, but maybe not) with what I believe is the essential argument for the necessary high standard and strong abilities for a person to be a successful teacher. It is not good enough for a person to simply ‘teach’. A merely ‘capable’ teacher is a real disappointment. They neither affect nor excite the students, and therefore what is their contribution? Little more than childminding. There is no doubt that a ‘good’ teacher will definitely influence their students, but a ‘great’ teacher can influence a mind, which can influence hundreds for life,

A phrase I have heard many times is

“Those who can, do, Those who can’t, teach.”

I disagree. If you can’t do, and you teach, and, you’re a lousy teacher, isn’t that even worse? I prefer the phrase,

“Teaching, without it, all other trades are impossible”

That says a lot more. Yet it is still assuming that the person imparting the necessary knowledge, is qualified to do so, or, is going to do it in such a way as to encourage the person being taught. Think about this. Why do some people become captivated by a chosen field? And in many cases, go on to great achievement in that field. Most often, it is likely because of an actual physical experience or an ‘engaged moment’, where their curiosity was piqued, or they experienced a strong emotional experience, which formed the connection between the subject and their future involvement. Often it is by being introduced to the subject, by someone who themselves is engaged, through full time occupational association or, through strong hobbyist emphasis. In his book on manhood, Steve Biddulph (See blog October 3^rd 2012) mentions the garages around the country where, in the evenings, many men (and women) can be found engaging in their hobby, which is put to one side in their responsibility to simply provide income. But how many could possibly have done their hobby as a job, if, they had been engaged by the right teacher.

I have experienced the entire gamut of teaching standards, as I have attended a large number and wide variety of schools, some colleges, a university or two (as a student and as a teacher) and more importantly, Life, over the many years I have moved around. I have witnessed the methods from those driven by religious zeal (potentially misguided when it comes to imparting other real knowledge), Immoral headmasters, and self promoting idiots (actually that was the same person), those driven to the very edges of psychotic breakdowns (and, one or two that literally went over the edge while teaching us), to the most engaging and enthralling teachers who raised your interest beyond the simple words and curriculum. Yet the balance of the great teachers, is the far more minor percentage of that list. Is that why, when I finally encountered one, they were so influential to me?

(Continued tomorrow)